In a candid and revealing interview with Metro.co.uk, former WWE Tag Team Champion Gzim Selmani, better known to WWE fans as Rezar of The Authors of Pain (AOP), disclosed that he nearly quit professional wrestling on his very first day at WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw. Selmani opened up about the frustrations that began immediately upon arriving on WWE’s main roster, which eventually contributed to the dissolution of the team and their departures from the company.

The Authors of Pain, composed of Gzim Selmani (Rezar) and Sunny Dhinsa (Akam), shot to prominence under the guidance of the legendary Paul Ellering. They achieved notable success in WWE, winning the Raw and NXT Tag Team Championships and the prestigious Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Their brutal, dominant in-ring style and intimidating presence made them standout figures in WWE’s tag team division. However, beneath the surface, striking backstage challenges loomed.

A Rough Start That Almost Ended a Wrestling Career

According to Selmani, expectations for their main roster debut were high, but their experience was fraught with immediate difficulties. “On my very first day at Monday Night Raw, I was so frustrated that I threatened to quit,” Selmani admitted. He described the transition from the NXT developmental system to the main roster as frustrating and disheartening. In his account, creative limitations and a lack of clear direction caused tension and dampened morale for the duo.

Sources close to WWE backstage echo this narrative, indicating that while the AOP were praised for their physicality and presence, they often struggled with inconsistent booking and an uncertain role within the company’s complex creative landscape. This struggle to find footing on Raw eventually led to the team’s split from the company.

The Final Chapter and Departure

Selmani also discussed the eventual breakup of The Authors of Pain and their exit from WWE. Both members transitioned into a new faction called The Final Testament alongside Karrion Kross, culminating in an appearance at WrestleMania 40. However, this reinvention did not erase the underlying frustrations Selmani had experienced during both of their WWE tenures.

Multiple reports from WrestlingNews.co and Fightful suggest that these frustrations with creative direction and backstage politics were key factors that influenced not only Selmani’s mindset but also the team’s ultimate decision to leave WWE. Despite their impressive accolades and fan recognition, they felt sidelined creatively, which eventually overshadowed their in-ring accomplishments.

Looking Ahead: Selmani’s Return to Combat Sports

Interestingly, Gzim Selmani has now announced plans to return to combat sports, a field where he originally began before transitioning full-time into professional wrestling. His last MMA fight took place almost 11 years ago, but according to a team-issued press release covered by WrestleTalk and PWInsider, Selmani is officially stepping back into the ring for combat sports. He’s even thrown down a challenge to former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall for a fight under the Misfits Boxing banner. This transition highlights Selmani’s desire to rekindle his original athletic passion beyond the squared circle.

Legacy of The Authors of Pain

While their WWE career ended on a complicated note, the legacy of The Authors of Pain remains significant. As a team, they were undeniably influential in bringing a more intense, powerhouse style back to WWE’s tag team scene. Their success across both NXT and the main roster, culminating with major titles and high-profile WrestleMania performances, cements their place in recent wrestling history.

Yet, Selmani’s disclosures offer an important behind-the-scenes look at the difficult realities many wrestlers face, particularly when wrestling’s highly competitive environment clashes with personal ambitions and creative control. His story is a reminder of the human element behind the painted personas seen on weekly WWE television.

Backstage Sources and Industry Insight

According to insiders interviewed by WWE.com and Fightful, many wrestlers experience a stark cultural shift when promoted from NXT to Raw or SmackDown, often dealing with backstage politics and creative bottlenecks. The Authors of Pain’s case exemplifies this transition struggle, where on-paper successes collided with real-world challenges.

As revealed in podcasts featuring former WWE talent and producers, the pressure cooker environment of WWE’s main roster can sometimes stifle new or evolving acts if they do not quickly fit a prescribed mold. This may explain some of Selmani’s intense frustration upon his main roster arrival.

Conclusion

Gzim Selmani’s admission that he threatened to quit WWE on his very first day at Monday Night Raw underscores the often unseen pressures faced by professional wrestlers at the highest level. Their journey from celebrated champions to disillusioned talents highlights the complex nature of career longevity in wrestling. With his confirmed return to combat sports on the horizon, fans can look forward to seeing Selmani’s fierce competitive spirit reignited—this time in a new arena beyond WWE.

This story, confirmed from direct interviews, insider reports, and press releases from reputable sources like Metro.co.uk, WWE.com, and WrestleTalk, provides a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind one of WWE’s most intimidating tag teams, offering fresh perspective for wrestling fans and industry observers alike.