Two familiar names from AEW’s early years have reportedly reached the end of their run with the company.
According to a new report, a veteran tag team that helped shape AEW’s growing roster since 2019 is now officially exploring life outside the promotion.
Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reports that The Butcher and The Blade have departed AEW after their contracts recently expired.
The report states that AEW chose not to offer either wrestler a contract extension, making both men free agents.
The Butcher and The Blade become free agents after AEW departure
The reported exit closes a chapter that began in November 2019 when The Butcher and The Blade debuted on AEW Dynamite alongside Allie, known to fans as The Bunny.
Their arrival immediately made an impact as they targeted Cody Rhodes before later aligning with names such as MJF and Wardlow.
Over the years, the duo became regular fixtures across multiple storylines and factions. They later worked alongside Kip Sabian and were also part of Matt Hardy’s Hardy Family Office, carving out a steady role within AEW’s tag team division.
Neither wrestler had appeared regularly on AEW television in recent years. The Blade’s final AEW match came in January 2024 before a spine injury led to spinal fusion surgery in Sept. 2024. He eventually returned to the ring in December 2025.
Meanwhile, The Butcher continued competing as a singles wrestler while his partner recovered. His last AEW appearance came on the Feb. 22, 2025 episode of Collision, where he faced Gabe Kidd.
Interestingly, just a few months ago, The Butcher revealed he was still under contract and waiting for an opportunity to return. Speaking during a March interview, he admitted the uncertainty could be difficult, saying AEW’s approach was essentially, “We’ll call you when we need you.”
That call never came.
The pair recently reunited on the independent scene at Limitless Wrestling’s Bissell Brothers Bash, and with their AEW contracts now expired, the former tag team standouts are officially free to pursue the next chapter of their careers.
As the tag team landscape continues to evolve, The Butcher and The Blade have once again entered the market — this time without a contract holding them back.
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