The latest episode of Thursday Night Impact on AMC featured the former Rascalz member being revealed as a surprise entrant in the Feast or Fired match.
Miguel ended up walking out with one of the four briefcases in the bout, alongside names such as Eric Young, Steve Maclin, and Eddie Edwards. Though the company did not confirm the contents of the briefcase immediately, saving the reveal for next week.
The former X-Division champion has been a topic of discussion recently, amid reports of his signing and abrupt firing from AEW. The Tony Khan promotion had teased the arrival of the Rascalz during the January 14 Dynamite. Trey Miguel was notably missing from the lineup when the group debuted during the January 17 Collision.
Reports since then have revealed that AEW had planned the former champion to appear on TV. WBD, however, put a stop to it because of his past homophobic comments, leading to his release from the company.
The 31-year-old had announced that he would be taking a break from wrestling after this drama, so it\’s possible that his TNA return is a one off and that he will be done with the promotion next week.
Trey Miguel has issued his first public statement addressing the circumstances surrounding his abrupt AEW departure, acknowledging past mistakes while emphasizing personal growth.
I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my time. I’ve always apologized and did my best to put a better foot forward after. I don’t preach hate and I don’t take any pride in being hateful. I’m a man of faith, I believe in forgiveness and only ever preach that. I’m a different man today.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my time,” Miguel wrote on social media. “I’ve always apologized and did my best to put a better foot forward after. I don’t preach hate and I don’t take any pride in being hateful. I’m a man of faith, I believe in forgiveness and only ever preach that. I’m a different man today.”
The statement comes days after he was quietly released from his AEW contract, just over a week after signing a multi-year deal alongside his Rascalz stablemates Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, and Myron Reed. Miguel was notably absent from the group’s debut on the January 17 episode of AEW Collision and was not backstage when the segment was filmed.
While AEW has not provided an official reason for the release, sources told Fightful Select that both parties remain on amicable terms. Miguel’s statement appears to reference his documented history of controversial remarks, most notably a 2020 incident involving homophobic language on Facebook for which he publicly apologized at the time.
The two-time TNA X-Division Champion initially asked fans to respect his space when announcing his break from wrestling. His latest message suggests he is now ready to address the situation more directly while maintaining his focus on moving forward.
Trey Miguel\’s whiplash AEW signing and release reportedly originated from a corporate level above Tony Khan, according to Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Miguel was released from his multi-year AEW contract just days after signing, ending his tenure before it officially began. The 31-year-old was notably absent when The Rascalz made their on-screen debut on January 17\’s Collision, despite being backstage with the group at the January 14 Dynamite taping.
What happened with Trey Miguel\’s AEW release?
Alvarez addressed the situation on WOR, stating that the decision came from outside AEW\’s internal structure.
\”No one\’s really saying much. Well, some people are saying certain things, but my understanding is whatever it is, it came from up above,\” Alvarez said. \”I know there\’s a lot of rumours but it had nothing to do with anybody in AEW talent, anything like that, or Tony. Something happened from way up and he was released.\”
The reference to a decision coming from \”above\” Tony Khan has sparked speculation about Warner Bros. Discovery\’s involvement, as WBD serves as AEW\’s broadcast partner through TBS, TNT, and HBO Max. AEW\’s current media rights deal runs through 2027 with an option extending to 2028.
A Timeline of Incidents Before His Abrupt AEW Exit
Trey Miguel\’s sudden release from AEW just days after signing has left fans searching for answers. While no official reason has been given for his departure, the 31-year-old carries a documented history of controversial statements that have followed him throughout his career.
The 2019 David Starr Incident
Miguel first drew significant backlash in July 2019 following a heated Twitter exchange with wrestler David Starr.
Wrestling podcasts at the time, including \”Pod Van Dam,\” discussed the incident extensively, with hosts asking whether anyone had \”taken Trey\’s phone away.\” Fan accounts characterized Miguel\’s comments as including offensive language, though the original tweets are no longer available.
The 2020 Facebook Controversy
The most well-documented incident occurred in March 2020 when Miguel engaged in a Facebook exchange using explicitly homophobic language. Screenshots captured Miguel writing that people \”become gay out of fear of rejection from the opposite sex.\”
The following day, Miguel issued a public apology, stating he had made \”very mean comments\” to an LGBTQ community member that were \”not right or tasteful.\” He acknowledged his wrongdoing, writing that \”this world needs more love than hate.\”
Important Context
No credible reporting has linked Miguel\’s past controversies to his AEW release. Fightful confirmed he was released on amicable terms with no reason provided.
The two-time TNA X-Division Champion spent over seven years with TNA before signing with AEW alongside Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed. The Rascalz will continue as a trio, having already appeared in a backstage segment on Collision.
Trey Miguel has announced he is stepping away from professional wrestling, explaining his absence from The Rascalz\’ AEW television debut this past weekend.
\”Taking a break from wrestling. Please respect my space and don\’t tag me in any posts or comments. Go support the Rascalz still,\” Miguel wrote on social media.
Miguel was noticeably missing when Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed made their first AEW appearance on Saturday\’s Collision in Phoenix. While all four members of The Rascalz signed multi-year deals with AEW earlier this month, only three appeared in the backstage segment that officially introduced the group to All Elite audiences.
The announcement comes after fans noticed Miguel had deleted all AEW-related content from his social media accounts, including a \”Coming soon\” post he shared when the signing was first reported on January 14. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Miguel was backstage in Phoenix for both Dynamite and Collision but did not appear on either broadcast.
The Rascalz departed TNA just hours before the company\’s premiere on AMC on January 15. Fightful Select reported that AEW presented a better offer than TNA\’s retention attempt, with all four members signing multi-year contracts. Miguel and Wentz\’s TNA deals had expired at the end of 2025, while Reed and Xavier were working without formal contracts.
Miguel, a two-time TNA X-Division Champion, returned from hernia surgery in late 2025 after being forced to miss Slammiversary. No reason was given for his decision to step away, and no timeline has been provided for his return.
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