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Vince McMahon recently lost several superstars to AEW. WWE has also released dozens of superstars since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Additionally, a few big names have asked for their release from the company as well.
Many of the released superstars have joined AEW and are thriving. However, there are a few stars who are either still in touch with the WWE Chairman or are friends with him.
Vince is a legend in the wrestling industry, and many individuals like him. With that in mind, take a look at five AEW stars who like and respect Vince McMahon.
#5. AEW giant Paul Wight (Big Show) was one of Vince McMahon’s most trusted employees
Paul Wight (famously known as The Big Show in WWE) was brought into WWE by Vince McMahon. Wight had a lengthy WWE career that lasted over two decades.
Many fans believed that Wight would never leave WWE to join another promotion. However, he surprised his fans by joining AEW in 2021.
Wight opened up about his move to the new promotion on the Talk Is Jericho podcast. He discussed how his relationship with Vince McMahon had changed.
“I knew the writing had changed for me and Vince in our relationship because for years I was always Show. In the last year it’s been Paul, so that’s a subtle thing in his mind where he’s already shipping me off to Shady Pines [retirement home], you know what I mean? Paul’s just a guy, Paul’s his friend.' There’s no animosity, there’s no heat there at all. He called me, he said, ‘Congratulations, you’re gonna do fantastic over there. You’re really gonna help their company. You have a lot to help here.’ It was a very classy, classy move,” Wight said.
Even though Wight left Vince McMahon’s company, the WWE Chairman wished the giant well. The giant has always been thankful to Vince for providing him with an opportunity to be a WWE Superstar.
#4. AEW’s Adam Cole had no bad experience with Vince McMahon
Adam Cole recently switched to AEW from Vince McMahon’s promotion. Cole performed on WWE NXT and won all the major championships on the brand.
Cole recently decided not to re-sign with WWE after his contract expired. Instead, The Panama City Playboy went on to join AEW, where his girlfriend and manfriends are thriving.
The former leader of The Undisputed ERA recently stated that he had a great conversation with Vince McMahon before he left WWE. Cole clarified that he had no bad experience with Vince and respected the man.
"The talk (with McMahon) went great. We had a really, really good conversation about a lot of different things. But the actual conversation itself was awesome. I had no bad experience with him whatsoever. He is an intimidating man that definitely commands respect in a lot of ways, but the experience itself was totally fine," Adam Cole said.
Adam Cole never fully got to work with Vince McMahon on the main roster. But his comments suggest that he respected the WWE Chairman anyway.
#3. Miro had a good relationship with Vince McMahon ahead of AEW
AEW TNT Champion Miro (known as Rusev during his time in WWE) seemed to have a good relationship with Vince McMahon early in his career. Miro was booked as a monster after making his main roster debut.
However, as time went by, Miro started to lose his charm and performed on the mid-cards. He recalled a time when Vince McMahon was so happy with his actions in the ring that he decided to reward him with a bonus.
Miro was released from his WWE contract as part of the COVID-19 budget cuts. Fans asked the AEW star if he disliked Vince McMahon or WWE.
In a reply Tweet, Miro clarified that Vince and his company gave him a platform to live his dream. He further said that there was nothing to dislike about the two.
Miro and Lana had a good relationship with Vince McMahon, as noted through several of their stories. It’s good to see that Miro does not blame the WWE Chairman for his release.
#2. AEW star Matt Hardy respects Vince McMahon
Matt Hardy was part of one of the greatest tag teams in Vince McMahon's promotion. In March 2020, Matt Hardy joined AEW. The Broken One had some good rivalries on AEW.
Many fans believed that Matt Hardy held a grudge towards Vince McMahon and his company for the bookings he received during the final few months of his WWE career.
However, the AEW wrestler shelved the claims through one of his tweets. Hardy said that he respected Vince:
“Yes. I have great respect for Vince & will always be grateful for the opportunities he gave me. I had to leave because we didn’t share the same visions for my future. My decision to leave was ultimately based on business & to ensure my own happiness going forward,” Hardy said.
Vince McMahon has earned the respect of many wrestlers inside and outside his company. Matt Hardy is definitely one of them.
#1. AEW star Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) has a great relationship with Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon did not really like Daniel Bryan during his early days. According to Chris Jericho, 'The Boss' did not like Bryan because he was a vegan, along with other reasons.
Over the years, Bryan became one of the top superstars in WWE and won several world championships. Eventually, Bryan and Vince’s relationship got better.
Bryan recently made his AEW debut after leaving WWE. However, the former WWE Champion has a lot of good things to say about his former boss.
The Planet’s Champion spoke to the media during the post-All Out media scrum. Bryan stated that he had a great relationship with Vince McMahon. However, the WWE Chairman was overprotective at times.
"WWE was so gracious with me as far as the offer that they gave me. They were gonna let me go do some other stuff on the outside, but, I hate to say this, Vince sometimes - he and I have a great relationship. I love him, I do. Sometimes he's overprotective of me," Bryan said.
At times, former superstars have said some unpleasant things to the WWE Chairman. It’s good to see that The American Dragon maintains a great relationship with Vince McMahon.
