Authors of Pain WWE Release Came After Backstage Blowup With Wyatt Sicks Member

Gzim Selmani is opening up about what really led to The Authors of Pain being released from WWE—and it traces back to a heated situation during a live event.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Selmani revealed that the issue started during WWE’s Holiday Tour in December 2024. AOP had been working a series of matches with The Wyatt Sicks, but things went off track when one member of the opposing team tried to change the match on the fly. Selmani explained that the situation immediately crossed a line for him, especially given the experience gap between the teams.

“There was an incident at one of the Holiday Tours that we did. Somebody tried to switch up the match during the match. And that’s just a no-go for me, especially if you’ve just been in the company for a little bit and we were already there for a long time. You don’t do that. And yeah, I just had to let somebody know. And that was the end of it.”

He made it clear the issue wasn’t about who was winning or losing, but rather about a refusal to go through with planned spots during the match. That decision led to a confrontation once they got backstage.

“They tried to switch up the match in the middle of the match. I’m a professional. Even if I gotta take a beating in the wrestling ring, I do it. And if you’re going to be a scared little btch, then it’s not my fault. I will let you know backstage.”*

Selmani didn’t name the Wyatt Sicks member involved, but the fallout from that incident appears to have played a role in AOP’s WWE exit in early 2025. Despite how things ended, Selmani said he has no regrets about his time in WWE and is satisfied with what the team accomplished during their run.

“I’m happy with what AOP accomplished in WWE.”

He also admitted that professional wrestling was never fully where he felt most comfortable, adding that he sees a better fit for himself in combat sports. Selmani recently made a successful debut in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, signaling a new direction for his career.

AOP had two separate runs in WWE, most recently aligning with Kross as part of The Final Testament. Following their departures, Kross and Scarlett moved on after their contracts expired, while Selmani is now focused on his fighting career.

Do you think situations like this should impact a wrestler’s future in WWE, or is this just part of the business behind the scenes? Let us know your thoughts and drop your feedback below.