Toni Storm, the AEW Women’s World Champion, has candidly revealed the real reasons behind her abrupt departure from WWE, shedding light on her struggles with creative direction and personal challenges during her tenure. Meanwhile, new backstage reports reveal major WWE plans for a recently released superstar were dropped last minute, and Tiffany Stratton has disclosed her dislike for taking powerbombs, adding fresh insight into WWE’s current locker room dynamics.
On a revealing episode of the Marking Out podcast, Toni Storm reflected on her WWE journey, giving fans a rare glimpse at the factors that led to her decision to quit the company in late 2023[5]. While WWE granted Storm significant creative freedom, she explained it often felt more like directionlessness. “I don’t think I was told what to do enough,” she admitted. “There was direction for things like how to work the cameras and perform on television, but as far as my character? No, not really. I basically just did my own thing”[5].
This lack of clear booking contrasted sharply with her experience in AEW, where Storm feels genuinely supported and creatively empowered to fully develop her “Timeless” character, which has led to two reigns as AEW Women’s World Champion[4][5].
Storm’s candid comments echo earlier interviews where she discussed the toll of WWE’s exhausting schedule and the emotional strain of being away from her family for over two years — factors that contributed to her feeling mentally overwhelmed before her departure[1]. “I went two and a half years without going home at all,” Storm told Busted Open Radio. “I just kind of… lost it. I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience”[1]. Despite her struggles, Storm emphasized she holds no bitterness towards WWE and remains thankful for the opportunities to learn and grow she received while there[1][2].
Adding intrigue to WWE’s backstage scene, sources close to the company have revealed that major plans for a WWE superstar who was released recently were abruptly canceled just days before their termination[5]. While the identity remains undisclosed, insiders indicate the decision may have been tied to creative changes behind the scenes and budget recalibrations amidst WWE’s evolving roster strategies. According to Fightful and other wrestling news outlets, such shifts impact not only the talent but also storyline continuity and fan expectations, contributing to an increasingly uncertain environment for WWE performers.
In another backstage tidbit highlighted on WWE.com and in interviews, rising star Tiffany Stratton shared her honest feelings about taking powerbomb moves in matches. Known for her athleticism and technical style, Stratton confessed, “I hate taking powerbombs. They’re brutal on the back, and you have to be super careful to land safely”[5]. This candidness is part of a growing trend where WWE talents are increasingly vocal about match safety and the physical toll wrestling exacts—a conversation that is reshaping how WWE plans and executes its in-ring action.
These revelations collectively paint a multifaceted picture of WWE’s current talent environment. Toni Storm’s experience underscores the challenges wrestlers face balancing creative input with corporate direction, while the halted plans for a recently released star highlight the volatile nature of backstage decision-making. Meanwhile, Tiffany Stratton’s comments spotlight the physical realities behind WWE’s spectacle.
As fans follow these developing stories, Storm’s successful reinvention in AEW and her open reflections mark a significant case study in wrestler well-being and career management outside WWE’s framework. With AEW continuing to push creative boundaries and WWE recalibrating its approach post-pandemic, the wrestling landscape remains dynamic, with talent movement and backstage shifts driving much of the intrigue.
Sources close to Toni have hinted that a potential WWE return is not off the table, but only if the creative environment and personal circumstances align better than before[2]. For now, all eyes remain on how WWE manages its locker room morale and storytelling directions in the months ahead, especially as newer names like Stratton continue rising amid challenging physical demands and changing backstage politics.
Reported by Wrestling Headlines, informed by WWE.com, Fightful, Busted Open Radio, Marking Out podcast, and insider sources.