How PCO’s Deal with TNA Fell Apart and Led to a Shocking Exit

PCO’s departure from TNA Wrestling just became even more dramatic, as new details reveal exactly how his contract situation fell apart before his now-infamous stunt at The People vs. GCW.

Dave Meltzer broke down the situation on Wrestling Observer Radio, explaining how PCO was originally offered a new contract and agreed to it verbally—but never actually signed it. “He was offered a new contract and agreed to it verbally but did not sign it,” Meltzer explained. “They came back and said they were sending the offer—sending the offer. Then they offered him another contract.”

However, by the time the deal was supposed to be finalized, TNA had started making cost-cutting decisions at the end of 2024. “A lot of people were offered less money, and several ended up leaving,” Meltzer said. PCO was one of those affected by the cuts. “They offered him less money, and he agreed to it. OK, he didn’t even agree to it—I think the idea was that he, as a wrestler or worker, felt he had a verbal agreement. Now they were coming back and offering less.”

The situation took another turn when TNA ultimately decided not to renew PCO’s contract at all. “So he agreed to it, and then they came back again and said, ‘We’re not renewing your contract.’ OK, so they told him, ‘We want you to drop the title on the way out.’ He was going to drop the title at the taping in San Antonio—I think that was the agreement. Then he just never heard from them again.”

That silence may have played a role in PCO’s controversial moment at The People vs. GCW, where he took the TNA Digital Media Championship and attempted to smash it with a sledgehammer. Earlier reports indicate that GCW officials had no idea PCO planned to do this and that he cut an impromptu promo before ring announcer Emil Jay stepped in and the show abruptly switched to a video.

Over at TNA, the reaction was pure outrage. The company was reportedly shocked by PCO’s actions, as he was still scheduled to wrap up his run at the San Antonio tapings. Adding another wrinkle to the situation, TNA sources claim that PCO actually destroyed a replica belt, not the real championship, which they still have in their possession.

TNA now considers PCO completely done with the company, with no expectation of a return. His frustration over the contract situation seems to have fueled the entire ordeal, but regardless of what led to it, the fallout from this stunt will likely follow him wherever he goes next.

PCO’s TNA exit wasn’t just a messy breakup—it was a full-blown disaster. From a botched contract deal to a rogue belt-smashing stunt, he made sure no one would forget his departure anytime soon. Whether this was his way of firing back at TNA or just a spur-of-the-moment meltdown, one thing’s clear—PCO’s future in the company is dead. Now, all eyes are on what’s next for the former champion and whether his stunt will cost him opportunities elsewhere.

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