How Close Frankie Kazarian Came to Signing with WWE After AEW Exit

Frankie Kazarian may have become a mainstay of TNA Wrestling since returning in 2023, but things nearly played out very differently—and now, he’s pulling back the curtain on just how close he was to joining WWE

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Kazarian confirmed that he had conversations with WWE after his AEW exit in 2022, before ultimately signing with TNA. While he stopped short of saying a deal was imminent, he admitted that the talks were meaningful—and came with unexpected respect from WWE’s top brass.

“I had some conversations with WWE. They were very, very gracious. How close was I in 2023 to going to WWE? There were conversations, but logistically, it probably wasn’t going to work. I wasn’t, like, a signature away, but there were really good conversations.”

The most interesting part of the story came when Kazarian revealed what happened right after his re-debut at TNA Hard to Kill in January 2023. As soon as the show ended, his phone lit up with a message from none other than Triple H.

“I can say this: when I re-debuted with TNA in January 2023, after that I checked my phone. I got a text from Triple H saying, ‘Hey man, I know things didn’t work out. That’s cool. I look forward to you kicking ass, and when it’s time for us to do business together, let’s do it.’”

Kazarian was clearly moved by the gesture, adding, “He didn’t have to do that, but he went out of his way. So that holds a lot of weight.”

Since returning to TNA, Kazarian has made every second count. His run hit a new peak in November 2025 when he defeated Mike Santana to win the TNA World Championship, adding another major milestone to his storied career.

Frankie Kazarian’s career could’ve taken a very different turn in 2023 — but now, as TNA World Champion, he’s proving that the choice to bet on himself paid off. And with that text from Triple H still lingering, the door to WWE may not be closed forever.

Do you think Frankie Kazarian made the right call by choosing TNA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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