Former WWE star Sidney Akeem (Reggie in WWE) is on the verge of signing with AEW and Ring of Honor, but the former WWE talent is not closing the door on a return to his old employer.
In a recent interview, Akeem made clear that his nearly three-year run on the independents is a deliberate rebuild rather than a clean break, framing a WWE comeback as something that could still happen down the line.
Akeem recently revealed he is in the process of finalizing a deal with AEW and Ring of Honor. He has already worked matches for ROH under both the Sidney Akeem and Soleil names, and previously said the response to Soleil in ROH felt better in some ways than his WWE debut.
No Hard Feelings Toward WWE
Speaking to Wrestling with Heart, Akeem was asked about possibly returning to WWE someday. He stressed there is no bitterness on his side.
“I have no hard feelings. I have a great relationship with everyone in WWE. I am not a guy that holds grudges,” Akeem said.
He went on to explain that he understands how the wrestling business works when it comes to talent leaving, rebuilding elsewhere, and returning stronger.
“I know that it’s a business first and I understand that there’s been many people that are much better than I am and they have been released and they have gone and made a better name or bigger name for themselves and came back and now the sky is the limit,” Akeem said.
Proving Himself On The Indies
Akeem added that he does not expect the business to operate any differently for him. For now, his focus is on building momentum outside WWE.
“So I’m not oblivious to how this business works and I don’t think it needs to change for me. I know I have to do my part and I’ve been doing that for the better part of almost three years now, proving myself on the indies,” he said.
Akeem parted ways with WWE in early 2024 after the company decided not to renew his contract. Since then he has built a presence across the independent circuit and ROH, including his work in Ring of Honor and his indie appearances.