The dominant tag team known as The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar), former NXT and WWE Raw Tag Team Champions, nearly walked away from WWE on their very first day on the main roster. This surprising revelation comes from a recent interview with Rezar, who shared behind-the-scenes insight into the challenging transitional period they faced, primarily due to a major creative decision involving their legendary manager Paul Ellering.
The Shock of Losing Paul Ellering as Manager
When The Authors of Pain were dominating the NXT tag team scene, their success was closely tied to veteran manager Paul Ellering, known for his history with The Road Warriors. Ellering’s presence was a stabilizing influence—his veteran savvy lending credibility and guidance to the rising stars. However, the moment they were called up to WWE’s main roster, Ellering was removed from their act, a decision that nearly led Akam and Rezar to resign immediately.
In Rezar’s words, the duo was so frustrated they were ready to hand in their resignation letters. He recounted how it was Ellering himself who convinced them to stay: “Paul told us, ‘Try it out. I’ve helped you guys to get there, so much hard work, we can always get the band back together later.’” His encouragement persuaded The Authors of Pain to give WWE’s main roster a real shot despite the turmoil[1].
Vince McMahon’s Role in the Decision
Rezar attributes the split between The Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s creative philosophy at the time. According to Rezar, Vince McMahon preferred not to feature older personalities on the show. “It was the Vince McMahon thing. He didn’t like older people than him or people his age on the show,” Rezar claimed. “He wanted to be the only elderly person who would be in the spotlight at the time.” This interpretation adds context to the abrupt removal of Ellering, who is considerably older than the team.
A WWE insider further clarified that the decision was a creative choice aimed at keeping Ellering working in NXT to develop other talents rather than going on the grueling main roster schedule with The Authors of Pain. Reports suggest that Ellering himself was willing to continue managing the team on the main roster but WWE opted to separate them to optimize resources and grooming of future stars[2].
The Aftermath: Success and Release
Despite the rocky start, The Authors of Pain did achieve success on WWE’s main roster. They captured the Raw Tag Team Championships, proving their dominance extended beyond NXT. However, their journey was short-lived. They were released from their WWE contracts in 2020 amidst a company-wide talent clearance.
In a twist, the team was rehired in 2024, fueling rumors of a possible resurgence alongside Paul Ellering, who reportedly was involved in negotiations for their return. Yet, this reunion was once again short-lived as they were released early in 2025[1][3].
Backstage Perspectives on the Split
Sources close to WWE reveal that the decision to split The Authors of Pain from Paul Ellering was strategic rather than personal. According to a WWE insider, “The company wanted The Authors of Pain to stand on their own without a manager to fit the main roster presentation. Ellering was highly valued internally for his ability to mentor new talent in NXT, and WWE needed him focused there”[2].
This move, while frustrating for Akam and Rezar initially, reflected a broader WWE creative mandate to push younger talent independently on the flagship shows like Raw and SmackDown.
Looking Forward: Possible Return?
Recent reports indicate WWE is considering bringing The Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering back for appearances, most likely on NXT. Rumors suggest internal discussions have taken place about offering them some form of role on the developmental brand, where their dominant legacy and veteran guidance could be an asset once again[3].
If true, this could mean a full-circle moment for The Authors of Pain, reuniting with Ellering under conditions that could be more creatively accommodating and less fraught than their initial main roster experience.
The tale of The Authors of Pain’s near-exit from WWE underscores the sometimes harsh realities behind wrestling stardom, where creative decisions and personnel preferences can dramatically impact careers. For Akam and Rezar, perseverance backed by Ellering’s support was crucial in navigating WWE’s complex landscape—highlighting the delicate balance between talent, management, and company direction in professional wrestling today.