Leva Bates Wasn’t Informed About Her Contract Expiry Before AEW Departure

Leva Bates was one of AEW’s original signees for their women’s division back in 2019. The former Blue Pants in NXT also had an office job in AEW in addition to her role as an in-ring competitor. She was recently let go by AEW and it appears Bates wasn’t even informed about her contract expiring.

She also helped with Public Relations, ran the makeup and wardrobe departments, and  even helped co-run the interactive ‘Heels’ club.’ Leva Bates recently confirmed that her AEW contract had expired and that she was done with the company.

As previously reported, many people were actually sad over her departure. According to Sean Ross Sapp behind Fightful’s paywall, Leva Bates was not directly informed of her deal expiring or of any intention to renew her contract before getting letting it expire.

It was further added that Leva Bates only found out the news due to an internal AEW email stating that the company was not renewing Bates’ deal, something that led to other AEW employees reaching out to her, which is when Bates came to know about her AEW status.

We’re told that Leva’s contract situation was a unique one, and that she was surprised by the news. Bates’ deal had expired and those close to her said that AEW didn’t have a conversation with her about renewing the deal. Some in the company found out when an email went out notifying that they were not renewing the deal. Bates was said to have found out when people contacted her to check on her.

Bates was originally brought in as a wrestler, but was transitioned into a number of backstage roles. Starting in 2022, she’d become more active in the ring, most recently competing in AEW in February.

There were several in AEW that upon hearing the news, pushed for her to remain with the company, but we haven’t heard that there are plans to do that. Bates was heavily influential in the AEW Heels group, and putting those events together. Bates’ statement on social media was also applauded by many in the company as the circumstances surrounding her finding out she was leaving were less than ideal.

It remains to be seen what Leva Bates has planned for her next pro wrestling venture. Being a talented young woman with experience in numerous fields, Bates will have no problem securing a job elsewhere.

What are your thoughts on Leva Bates? Do you think she deserved better in AEW? Sound off in the comments!