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It came as a shock to us all when it was announced. Tye Dillinger wrote on his Instagram account that he had asked for his release from WWE.
Dillinger's departure from the company is much like Dean Ambrose's departure or indeed, The Revival allegedly asking for their releases from the company. What could prompt professional wrestlers who've honed their craft to such a great degree to give up on their ultimate dream? I've attempted to answer this question in this very article.
Of course, I know you have your own thoughts and read of the situation. I'd love to hear what you have to say about Tye Dillinger's status.
Here is my own take...
#5 A roster that is too stacked
I was very critical of this in my 'Best and Worst' article as well. The fact of the matter is that the current WWE roster is not just stacked, it is absolutely bloated. And WWE keeps bringing up new talent without looking to work out meaningful programs for the characters that already exist leading to dissatisfaction among the ranks.
I mean I love what Aleister Black, Johnny Gargano and #DIY bring to the table, and each of them is a breath of fresh air in the main roster. But did WWE need so many new players being called up when the existing performers like SAnitY, The Club, Nakamura and Rusev don't get any screen time at all? It's a little better on RAW, but even on the A-show, there are so many superstars forced to sit on the shelf, every week.
And this is the second round of call-ups over the past few months, considering EC3, Lacey Evans, Nikki Cross and Lars Sullivan got called up as well. No wonder Tye Dillinger isn't happy!
#4 A ceiling for his character in WWE
Remember just how popular Tye Dillinger was when he debuted at the number 10 spot in the Royal Rumble? The crowd was behind him and they showered 'ten' chants on him. And then, in a matter of no time at all, he got lost somewhere in the mid-card.
WWE has operated with a certain character for their top guy in mind. There are anomalies like AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan, but both of those individuals are exceptions to the norm and not the norm itself, sadly. The top guy has always looked like John Cena, Batista or Randy Orton.
Had Tye Dillinger stuck around in WWE, he would probably have had a job for a very long time, but wouldn't have been able to establish himself as a top guy. And this reality may have dawned on him before his WWE departure.
#3 Opportunities outside the WWE
Until recently, WWE was the only place to work for a sports entertainer. Sure Impact Wrestling and ROH existed, apart from a host of independent opportunities, but WWE was considered to be the ultimate destination for a sports entertainer to prove his/her mettle.
With the arrival of All Elite Wrestling, this is certain to change, in my personal opinion. This is because the company has the funds of the Khan family and the vision of Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks, as well as the support of many fans who're disillusioned with the WWE product.
Tye Dillinger may not just survive but thrive in an environment like All Elite Wrestling, which may be more about in-ring action than how big you are. He may even be a big star in a smaller promotion, where he could potentially have a very satisfying run.
Money isn't everything to some people!
#2 No real storylines to speak of
I used to love the Tye Dillinger character when he was in NXT. He was not portrayed as a winner, but as someone who came up short on every given occasion. And he would not let that deter him, getting up every time the world would knock him down.
Fast forward to the main roster and I'm having a tough time trying to think of just about any program that he was part of. I have faint recollections about a mini-feud with Aiden English and I remember Randy Orton assaulting his fingers, but that's pretty much it. How can you take someone who the crowd drowned in 'ten' chants on his very first night, and have him sink to such a low level over time?
Cody Rhodes has maintained that AEW will pay off storylines when the promotion launches. Could we potentially see him in 'Double or Nothing'?
#1 Returning to WWE as a bigger star
Jinder Mahal has done it and so has Drew McIntyre. It is possible to go out into the independent circuit, reinvent yourself completely and return to the company as a much bigger star than you originally were. Tye Dillinger can certainly do so because he's immensely talented and gifted. Maybe he even wins a title or two outside WWE?
Just imagine how valuable Cody Rhodes will be if he comes to WWE now. We all remember just how much of an afterthought he had become back when he was Stardust. Tye Dillinger has an opportunity to become a much bigger star than WWE would have allowed him to be.
In 2019, WWE is still the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. But it's not the only place to work for many individuals who want their characters to be treated right.
What do you think?
