Real Reason Why PCO Turned Down Multiple Offers from AEW

PCO made headlines at The People vs. GCW event when he smashed the TNA Digital Media Championship and went on a rant against TNA Wrestling. Following the incident, he claimed that he had turned down offers from AEW three times and has now explained why he had to decline those opportunities in the first place.

While speaking to Fightful, PCO clarified that he did not deliberately turn down AEW three times but was under contract each time they approached him, making it impossible for him to accept their offers.

The first time AEW reached out was in October 2018, long before the company officially launched. They expressed interest in having him for major events and asked if he could be available for specific dates, including May 25 in Las Vegas, August 31 in Chicago, and October 1 in New York City. However, at the time, he was in discussions with Ring of Honor.

On November 27, 2018, ROH flew him from Montreal to Baltimore, where he spent an entire day meeting with the company’s top executives, including the president, the general manager Greg Gillan, and booker Delirious. He toured their dojo, met with students, and had extensive conversations about his future. By the end of the visit, he shook hands with Joe Koff on a deal and gave his word that he would commit to ROH.

“I don’t want to brag when I say I turned down AEW three times. It’s not that I wanted to turn them down. The first time they reached out to me was in October 2018—that’s a long time ago. They said they would love to have me for big matches and asked if I could save the following dates: May 25 in Las Vegas, August 31 in Chicago, and October 1 in New York City on a Tuesday. That was one of the texts I received from AEW.“

Just two days later on November 29, AEW officially extended a contract offer, proposing a match with Kenny Omega and expressing strong interest in signing him for 2019 and beyond. Despite the tempting offer, he felt it would have been unfair to ROH, as they had just made a significant commitment to him. Even though he had not yet signed a contract, he honored his word and moved forward with ROH, where he spent the next three years.

“Then, on November 29, 2018, they reached out again. They said, ‘We would really like you in 2019 and beyond. We want to make you an offer—a money offer. A match should be you and Kenny Omega.’ But just two days earlier, on November 27, I had visited Sinclair. ROH flew me from Montreal to Baltimore, and I met with their top executives—the president, the general manager, Greg Gillan, Delirious the booker. I spent the whole day with them.

They showed me their dojo, and I met the students. After that, when I left Baltimore, I shook hands with Joe Koff on a deal. I told him, ‘You have my word.’ He said my phone might ring with other offers, and I told him, ‘I’m happy with this offer. My word is as good as a contract.’ Then, a couple of days later, on November 29, AEW officially offered me everything. I told them, ‘I’m sorry, guys, I just signed.’ Even though I hadn’t signed on paper, I gave my word to ROH. It wouldn’t have been fair to them after they flew me to their office and made me one of the best offers of my career, including promises on the creative side.“

After ROH shut down following the pandemic, he transitioned to TNA Wrestling, where he remained under contract. AEW reached out again on April 28, 2022, with an invitation to appear on May 11 in Long Island, New York.

However, he was still signed with TNA and could not accept the opportunity. Later that year, on November 3, AEW contacted him once more, suggesting he check with TNA and Scott D’Amore about a possible appearance. PCO informed D’Amore but ultimately respected TNA’s decision, as they were not open to the arrangement.

“During that time, AEW reached out again. On April 28, 2022, Carl and Tony Khan contacted me, wanting to bring me in for May 11 in Long Island, New York. I told them, ‘I’m under contract with TNA. They don’t want me to go. I can’t do it. I’m signed.’ Then, on November 3, 2022, they asked if I could check with TNA and Scott D’Amore about appearing. But I was still under contract, and I told Scott, ‘Unless you can organize a trade to let me work there on national TV, I will respect TNA’s decision.’

I always ran everything by TNA. I never put my ego ahead of the company. I never said, ‘I don’t care about TNA anymore, I’m going no matter what.’ I didn’t do that. I respected TNA and Scott D’Amore too much.”

Throughout his time in TNA, AEW asked about PCO even more times, but the timing was never right. Each time they expressed interest, PCO was under contract elsewhere and unable to accept. He stated that he never intentionally rejected AEW but was always committed to honoring his existing agreements.

Despite social media criticism suggesting he intentionally turned down AEW, he explained that it was not a matter of choice but circumstance. His loyalty to ROH and TNA, as well as his respect for Scott D’Amore guided his decisions, preventing him from making the jump to AEW when opportunities came.

“AEW called me a few other times too, but often it was just a few days before an event. I was always under contract with either ROH or TNA. For me and AEW, it was always bad timing. It wasn’t that I turned them down three times—it just wasn’t possible. I was under contract, so I had no choice, even though I would have loved that platform.

People attacked me on Twitter again, saying, ‘Oh, you turned them down.’ But no, it wasn’t like that. I just couldn’t make it happen. I was committed to TNA, and I had too much respect for Scott D’Amore.”

PCO also had a very good reason for smashing the TNA Digital Media Title. Nonetheless, we will have to wait and see whether PCO will end up joining AEW now that he is a free agent, as fans feel this is the right time for him.

What do you think about PCO’s decision to turn down AEW three times? Do you think AEW should have continued pursuing him or is his path with ROH and TNA a more fitting career choice? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear your feedback!

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