AEW Talent Accuses WWE of Prioritizing ‘Hush Money’ More Than Wrestlers

EJ Nduka was blindsided by his WWE release back in 2021, but everything in WWE changed after Triple H took over as head of Creative. He would make his way to AEW last year but he clearly harbors ill feelings towards WWE as he has now gone on a scathing rant against his former employer.

EJ Nduka made his in-ring debut in AEW against Konosuke Takeshita on the January 28th, 2023 edition of AEW Dark. He was even offered a contract right after the match due to his performance and he is now directly working with Swerve Strickland in AEW.

Nduka was known as Ezra Judge in WWE and as noted above, he was released in 2021 during the pandemic. Nduka took to Twitter and openly criticized WWE following his release in 2021. He feels that WWE denied many wrestlers opportunities while he worked hard to establish himself in the wrestling industry, having come from the NFL and IFBB.

Nduka noted that he consistently showed up early and left late, yet felt overlooked when he sought help. He accused WWE of focusing on “hush money” instead of supporting their wrestlers and their families, suggesting that they abandoned him and others during a challenging time.

The AEW star also revealed that he was pressured to sign a non-disclosure agreement, preventing him from discussing his lack of opportunities, but he no longer feels bound by that. Nduka shared that he found success in MLW with just one match and is grateful for the chance to work with AEW and Tony Khan, which he believes has provided a valuable opportunity for his family and himself.

Despite facing challenges, he feels empowered to speak out and is committed to making a significant impact in the wrestling world, with the support of AEW’s locker room. He reflected on the difficulties he faced during the pandemic when he was released just after his son was born, and he almost quit but was encouraged to continue by his wife and several top wrestlers.

”SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. OTHER SIDE REFUSED TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES.. AND NOW LOOK THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP. INDUSTRY SHAKERS.

Came into this industry from NFL AND IFBB. Where the hardest working person in the room at the very least gets an opportunity. I was first one to the ring every single day and last one to leave. Came to every extra ring. Tried to ask for HELP but NOTHING.

They pulled the rug from underneath my family and I and many other wrestlers cause he wanted to spend that money on hush money. As far as I am concerned yall can eat glass.

I wish one of yall would even debate what I’m saying cause I knew this day would come. I recorded ALL and have receipts. They even tried to pay me off and prevent me from coming to AEW for a WHOLE YEAR. They said “certain people don’t like admitting when they make a mistake”

A firm believer in

WHAT EVER HAPPENS IN THE DARKNESS ALWAYS COMES TO THE LIGHT.

Luke 8:17

I’m forever grateful to
@aew @ringofhonor and the ENTIRE locker for building something from NOTHING. We are doing great things and if it never existed a lot of us would have disappeared

ID RATHER WORK FOR A BOSS WHO IS GENUINELY EXCITED FOR YOUR FUTURE & DEVELOPMENT. WHO waits at the end of the ramp for everyone to congratulate them instead of one who ignores you or buries you for trying to be different. YALL don’t even know half all you see is the end product

Told to sign an NDA and never say “I wasn’t given an opportunity” because I would black ball myself. Fast forward 3 years later I don’t give a damn. Yall left my family and I stranded during the pandemic and we almost lost our house.. I get my mouth shut and head down

Went to MLW and got over in ONE MATCH. There’s so much more I could say but I’m happy to be in AEW and I’m grateful for @TonyKhan
giving my family and I another opportunity to be in this industry I love and have a lot of respect for. There’s countless of other people like me who Won’t speak up because of FEAR. But I’m not afraid and I have receipts and anyone who knows me they know I speak the truth. Anyway, get your popcorn ready cause #LEEJ about to shock the world just like I do every single time I get an opportunity

My son was not even 3 months old when I got released. I was never given a reason why.. I was only told “this was the toughest firing we ever had to do” we had nothing and it was there middle of pandemic. I almost quit but my wife and several top guys sent me DMs advised me NO”

EJ Nduka even diffused a real-life fight on a plane. Regardless, this is certainly a huge rant coming from the AEW star as he had been waiting to say all this for the past three years. We’ll have to see if WWE will issue any statement on his accusations, as it is clear his situation was a very serious one.

What do you think of these accusations made by EJ Nduka towards WWE? Do you feel WWE might issue any kind of response? Let us know in the comments section below!