A popular AEW star is no longer bound by his contract ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber.
According to Fightful, via Fightful Select, Danhausen’s contract with All Elite Wrestling officially expired months after the company picked up his option year, despite him requesting that they clear him for indie dates and merchandising.
“Danhausen’s All Elite Wrestling deal officially expired after a totally puzzling run with the company. Danhausen was mired by a couple of injuries, but also not booked while healthy for years at a time,” the report noted.
Danhausen made his AEW debut on the Dynamite Beach Break television special back in January 2022, surfacing during the Lights Out match between Orange Cassidy and Adam Cole. He last competed for the promotion at the 2023 Worlds End pre-show. His final Ring of Honor appearance came in 2024, when he faced Brandon Cutler in a singles match.
Danhausen teases ‘freedom’ amid WWE Elimination Chamber debut speculation
Danhausen teased his free agency in a cryptic post ahead of Elimination Chamber. On social media, he posted an image of the Genie from the 1992 animated film Aladdin, from the scene where he is freed at the end. He also shared an image of the song “Freedom Slam,” likely suggesting that his time in AEW had finally come to an end. In addition, he posted lyrics from the song “No Heroes” by the metalcore band Converge.
WWE sources have reportedly expressed interest in signing the now-former AEW star. One source went as far as to say they believe he would thrive in the NXT setting. It is also worth noting that Danhausen is heavily speculated to pop up from the mystery crate WWE has teased for Elimination Chamber.
While the Fightful Select report noted he would “theoretically be available to be ‘in the crate’ tonight,” the outlet has not been able to confirm the speculation. “Danhausen has definitely had people in the company pushing for him,” the report concluded.
As of this writing, he is no longer listed on the official AEW roster page. Whether Danhausen appears inside the crate to curse a WWE Superstar at Elimination Chamber remains to be seen.
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