Brian Cage has opened up about one of the biggest surprises of his wrestling career.
Speaking on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Cage reflected on his recent decision to re-sign with AEW in 2024. While he admitted WWE generated significant interest and was a legitimate option, he ultimately chose AEW because of the stability, flexibility, and job security the company offered.
“I mean, there was a lot of interest, and it’s funny, because I wanted to go there,” Cage said. “I mean, you don’t know what you’re gonna get either place. There’s no guarantees. They could say that, you know, we’re gonna use you this way, that way, whatever. But obviously, you don’t know anything. And after going back and forth, all the different pros and cons, a lot of stuff with AEW just seemed safer, if you will.”
Cage also looked back at his first stint with WWE, where he trained in developmental from 2008 to 2009. According to Cage, there had been internal discussions about promoting him to either RAW or SmackDown before everything took an unexpected turn.
“There was. And then actually, even the day I got released, I thought I was getting the call to go up to RAW. Everyone thought that. I was so flabbergasted when I got the call, and I’m thinking I’m getting raised. I think I’m getting called to TV, I’m thinking I’m getting both, and they’re like, ‘Oh, we’ve come to terms with your release.’ I’m like, wat the? You called the right person?”
Brian Cage On His WWE Experience
Despite that experience, Cage said he has no ill feelings toward WWE. He acknowledged that there is always a “what if” surrounding a potential WrestleMania moment. Despite that, he also takes pride in everything he has accomplished outside the company.
“But I mean, I left my time there, and I have nothing bad to say about in that regard, but you know, it’s been a back-and-forth thing, and there is the what if, and the WrestleMania moment that every fan has.”
The former FTW Champion has built a successful career without receiving what many fans call the “WWE rub.” He says that’s something he views as an achievement in itself.
“But at the same time, I do feel like there’s a nice feather in my cap to have been as successful as I’ve been, to have the house, I have the cars, I have the life I’ve had, to live the career I’ve had, without ever having, like, the WWE rub, I do feel like that’s that’s been kind of a nice little bonus, which is pretty hard to get.”
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