In a surprising turn of events, two relatively low-profile talents who were rarely seen on mainstream AEW TV have quietly left the company in the past week. Zack Clayton and VSK have both bid adieu to AEW, marking the conclusion of their respective tenures with the organization.
When Zack Clayton’s name disappeared from the public roster listing of AEW, it was first assumed that he had left. Later, Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone verified Clayton’s departure from AEW. Further clarification was provided by Mike Johnson of PW Insider, who revealed that Clayton left AEW when his contract with them naturally expired and wasn’t renewed. Importantly, there doesn’t appear to be any hostility between Zack Clayton and AEW, and the possibility of further cooperation between the two organizations is still open.
Clayton’s association with AEW dates back to October 2022, although his early appearances were primarily on AEW’s Dark and Dark: Elevation programs. One of his most prominent bouts in the company was a quick 14-second defeat at the hands of FTW Champion Hook on Rampage last August. More recently, he had been primarily serving as an enhancement talent in Ring of Honor.
What’s next for VSK after AEW departure?
VSK’s departure, as reported by PWInsider, mirrors Clayton’s situation. Operating under the alias Jeeves Kay as part of the Trust Busters faction, VSK was released due to the expiration of his contract. Just like with Clayton, the departure appears to be on amicable terms, leaving room for potential future collaborations.
VSK tweeted before leaving:
Don’t expect a notes app post…
AdvertisementJeeves is Dead. Now let’s have some fun https://t.co/CwvYSXcAQM
— VsK (@isThatVsK) October 12, 2023
VSK’s appearances within Tony Khan’s various wrestling promotions were infrequent, with his last match taking place on September 16th. His schedule had been more active on the independent wrestling circuit, suggesting a potential return to that arena.
These exits are a natural aspect of professional wrestling’s always-changing environment, where talent discovers new chances, investigates multiple promotions, and occasionally goes back to the starting point of their career. Talents continue to come and go in the exciting and competitive world of wrestling, and fans can only guess where they might appear next, giving the industry a sense of unpredictability.
