Trey Miguel was released from AEW over 2020 homophobic comment, report says

The speculation around pro wrestler Trey Miguel’s release from All Elite Wrestling last week, just days after the company announced his signing, and its relation to a homophobic comment on Facebook in 2020 received some clarity on Tuesday.

According to Fightful Select, the decision to release Miguel was specifically related to the comments made nearly six years ago, which he apologized for the same day, and that “no additional posts or situations” factored into the decision.

The report also stated that AEW officials told Miguel that the decision to cut ties with him came from above AEW, likely being attributed to the promotion’s TV broadcasting and streaming partner Warner Brothers Discovery.

Neither AEW nor Warner Brothers Discovery responded to Outsports’ requests for comment regarding Miguel’s release and if the 2020 post in question directly factored into the decision.

Miguel initially signed with the company a little over a week ago alongside his The Rascalz stablemates Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed. The quartet was advertised on last Wednesday’s episode of “AEW Dynamite,” but only Xavier, Wentz and Reed appeared during the group’s debut on Saturday’s “AEW Collision” broadcast, which was originally recorded on the same night.

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News of Miguel’s release broke shortly after Saturday’s broadcast with Miguel stating he was taking a break from pro wrestling. He issued further comment via X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. “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,” Miguel wrote. “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.”

Monday’s post fueled speculation that his quick exit from AEW was related to the comment made in 2020 to some degree. The comment in question saw Miguel respond to a homophobic Facebook user’s attempt to troll him by equating being unattractive with being gay.

“Obviously you’re gay. Most people as unattractive as you become gay out of fear of rejection form the opposite sex. So you find comfort, ability and familiarity in the same sex and end up matching someone who’s the same as you… gay. Because there’s no other f**king options. You ugly b**ch … [Yeah], truth’s a b**ch.”

Miguel apologized hours later:

“I’m not anti-LGBTQ+. I made some very mean comments to a member of the community in regards to why they were a member and it wasn’t right or tasteful. Regardless of the comments made to get me to such an ugly place, I was wrong and I’m not afraid to admit it. Two of my very best friends are members of said community and I’d take a bullet [for] either of them. I won’t try to justify anything I said but I will apologize like a man. If I offended you then I’m genuinely sorry. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. If you can’t forgive me, I do not blame you. But this world needs more love than hate and I’m sorry for contributing to the less desired of the two.”

Several LGBTQ pro wrestlers and figures within pro wrestling offered messages of support for Miguel on social media in the wake of the news.

This wouldn’t be the first time that Warner Brothers Discovery prevented a pro wrestler AEW wanted to feature from being showcased on its channels over past homophobic comments.

Jay and Mark Briscoe were barred from appearing on AEW programming in 2022 over homophobic social media posts Jay Briscoe made in 2011 and 2013 despite the widespread knowledge that he made efforts to educate himself and support members of the LGBTQ community in the decade since those comments were made.

The Briscoe Brothers wrestled for AEW’s sibling promotion Ring of Honor in 2022 instead of AEW and Mark Briscoe currently wrestles for AEW after the ban was lifted following Jay Briscoe’s untimely death in Jan. 2023.

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