The professional wrestling landscape shifted significantly when Miro, the former AEW TNT Champion, made his dramatic return to WWE in April 2025 after a five-year absence from the company. Now, AEW President Tony Khan has finally addressed the circumstances surrounding the Bulgarian powerhouse’s departure from his promotion, shedding light on what many in the wrestling community had speculated about for months. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show this week, Khan provided candid insights into the creative disagreements that ultimately led to Miro’s exit from All Elite Wrestling.[1][2]
The Creative Vision Clash
Khan’s explanation for Miro’s departure centered on fundamental differences in creative direction between himself and the veteran performer. The AEW President emphasized that while he holds tremendous respect for Miro’s abilities as a wrestler, their perspectives on how to utilize him within the company simply didn’t align over time.[1] “Miro is a great wrestler and he was great in AEW. He was a TNT Champion,” Khan stated during the interview. “He and I just had, at times, different visions of things. That’s okay because everybody is entitled to different opinions and different ideas.”
Rather than characterizing the split as contentious, Khan framed it as a natural divergence in creative philosophy. “We just kind of drifted into different ideas of what we should be doing, and that’s okay,” he explained, suggesting that the parting was amicable despite the underlying tensions.[1][3] This measured response reflects Khan’s diplomatic approach to discussing departing talent, acknowledging that creative differences are simply part of the wrestling business.
A Timeline of Inactivity
Miro’s last televised match for AEW took place on December 30, 2023, at the Worlds End premium live event, where he defeated Andrade El Idolo in what would ultimately be his final appearance for the promotion.[2][3] Following this bout, the wrestler found himself in a state of creative limbo within AEW. Despite being physically healthy and capable of performing, Miro remained largely absent from television for an extended period—more than a year—before eventually requesting his release from the company.
The extended absence during this period fueled speculation among wrestling observers about what had transpired behind the scenes. Reports consistently indicated that creative disagreements were the primary factor in keeping Miro off AEW programming, rather than any injury or legitimate scheduling conflict.[2] This prolonged inactivity ultimately led to Miro formally requesting his release in the fall of 2024, with AEW granting the separation in February 2025.[3]
The WWE Return and Fresh Momentum
Miro’s rebranding as Rusev upon his WWE return marked a significant moment for the performer, who had previously spent time in the company as a four-time United States Champion.[2][3] His comeback on the Raw episode following WrestleMania 41 in April 2025 was nothing short of impactful. The returning superstar immediately made his presence felt by decisively defeating both Chad Gable and Otis of Alpha Academy, signaling his intentions for a major singles push within WWE’s main roster structure.[2]
Since his return, Rusev has continued to build momentum, recently advancing through WWE’s “Last Time Is Now” tournament—the competition designed to determine John Cena’s final opponent before the WWE legend’s retirement.[2] This storyline positioning suggests that WWE has significant plans for the veteran performer, offering him the creative opportunities that had seemingly eluded him during his final year in AEW.
Khan’s Perspective on Miro’s WWE Success
When discussing Miro’s decision to return to WWE, Khan acknowledged that the performer’s previous experience in the company had been positive. “He worked in WWE before and that clearly was a good experience for him. He clearly was excited to go back, and he did go back,” Khan stated, indicating that the wrestler’s familiarity with WWE’s system and personnel made the transition a natural one.[1][3] The AEW President’s comments suggested he understood Miro’s motivations and respected the performer’s choice to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
“I wish him the best. That must make sense for him and why he wanted to do it,” Khan added, demonstrating a professional grace in discussing a competitor’s departure to a rival promotion.[1] This statement underscores Khan’s willingness to acknowledge when creative circumstances simply don’t align, even for talented performers who had achieved championship status within AEW.
Broader Context of AEW’s Roster Transitions
Miro’s departure represents one of several significant roster changes AEW has experienced in recent years. The promotion has seen various established talents depart for WWE, other promotions, or pursue different ventures entirely. Khan’s candid discussion about Miro specifically highlights how even well-intentioned creative visions can sometimes clash with performer expectations and career aspirations.
According to sources close to AEW’s creative team, Khan maintains a philosophy of allowing performers to pursue opportunities that better align with their professional goals, even when those opportunities exist within competing promotions. This approach differs from some wrestling promotions that view performer departures as purely competitive losses rather than natural evolutions in careers.
The Bigger Picture for Professional Wrestling
Miro’s journey from AEW to WWE illustrates the increasingly fluid nature of professional wrestling’s landscape. Performers are no longer locked into single-promotion careers, and the ability to move between major companies has become more normalized in recent years. Khan’s willingness to discuss these transitions openly, without rancor or defensiveness, reflects a maturation in how wrestling industry leadership addresses talent mobility.
The creative differences Khan cited with Miro are likely not unique to their professional relationship. Wrestling promotions frequently struggle to find the optimal creative positioning for every performer on their roster, and sometimes those creative visions simply cannot be reconciled. In Miro’s case, his return to WWE appears to have provided the fresh start and creative direction he was seeking, suggesting that the separation ultimately benefited both parties.
As AEW continues to evolve and establish itself as a major force in professional wrestling, Khan’s transparent approach to discussing departing talent—emphasizing mutual respect while acknowledging creative differences—sets a tone of professionalism within the industry. Whether Miro’s WWE tenure ultimately proves more fruitful than his AEW run remains to be seen, but his return to the company has certainly generated significant fan interest and provided the veteran performer with renewed momentum heading into 2026.[1][2][3]