On a candid new episode of the Marking Out podcast, AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm laid bare the real reasons behind her unexpected departure from WWE, shedding light on the complex issue of creative freedom that paradoxically became a career obstacle. Storm’s reflections provide fresh insight into the challenges many wrestlers face navigating WWE’s creative environment versus more supportive companies like AEW.

Toni Storm’s WWE Exit: Burnout and Directionless Creative Freedom

Toni Storm’s shock exit from WWE, reported in late December 2021, came shortly after she competed for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at a live event in Washington, D.C.[1] Previously citing “burnout” as the core reason for her sudden departure, Storm has now expanded on this explanation during recent interviews, including candid remarks on Busted Open Radio and Marking Out with MVP.

Storm revealed that while WWE granted her full creative freedom, it ironically left her feeling lost and uncertain about her character’s direction. Unlike many wrestlers who receive detailed character development or storyline guidance, Storm was largely left to her own devices:

“I wasn’t told what to do enough… I wasn’t told like, ‘Today you’re a cat and your name is Bloody Tori Smith.’ No one told me anything; I just did it. I kept my name the whole time. It was like I had complete creative freedom, but some others got things, and I was stuck.”[5]

This hands-off approach deprived Storm of a strong narrative foundation on WWE’s main roster, contrasting sharply with her NXT UK success where she was prominently featured as a champion and tournament winner. As she told The Sessions with Renee Paquette podcast, once she reached SmackDown, she realized the booking was not working for her. Her passion faded as constant uncertainty and lack of enjoyment grew. She abruptly quit one day, without prior planning.[2]

Storm also highlighted WWE’s grueling schedule and inability to see family or friends as a contributing factor to her departure, underscoring the often unseen personal toll wrestling life can have.[1]

From WWE Limbo to AEW Stardom: A Fresh Start

After leaving WWE with no immediate plans, Toni Storm credits AEW President Tony Khan for reaching out and offering her a new opportunity—a “second chance” to rekindle her passion for wrestling and rebuild her career on her own terms.[1]

Storm’s AEW run has been markedly different. She has been booked strongly, capturing the AEW Women’s World Championship twice and boasting an impressive winning record. According to statistics, she’s lost just eight matches out of around fifty in AEW, a stark contrast to her WWE tenure where main roster success eluded her.[2][4]

In AEW, Storm feels supported and empowered to develop her “Timeless” persona authentically, benefiting from proper creative guidance and backing:

“I feel truly supported and empowered in AEW… I can be me and build on my character—something I never really felt in WWE.”[5]

This renewed career momentum cements the notion that creative freedom without direction, as experienced by Storm in WWE, can hinder rather than help a wrestler’s growth. AEW’s environment, by contrast, appears to balance creative input with structured storytelling.

Major Plans Scrapped for WWE Superstar Days Before Being Released

In other WWE backstage news reported by Fightful and Wrestling Headlines, a significant WWE superstar experienced major storyline plans dropped just days before their surprise release. While exact details remain confidential, sources close to WWE indicate the company’s evolving creative priorities and budget considerations played a role in scrapping angles that could have elevated the talent in question.

According to insiders, this sudden change left the superstar shocked and blindsided, fueling recent debates about WWE’s handling of talent releases and storylines. The incident highlights ongoing challenges within WWE talent management and creative planning amidst corporate restructuring and the evolving wrestling landscape.

Tiffany Stratton Opens Up About Hating Powerbombs

Meanwhile, WWE rising star Tiffany Stratton has shared her discomfort with taking powerbombs during matches. In a recent interview on WWE.com, Stratton admitted that while she is committed to performing at a high level, powerbomb moves remain her least favorite due to their impact and risk of injury.

Stratton’s honesty offers fans a glimpse into the physical and mental demands WWE superstars face in the ring, balancing entertainment with safety. Her candidness also adds dimension to her growing persona, connecting with audiences on a more personal level.

What This Means for WWE and Its Talent

Toni Storm’s revelations highlight a persistent challenge in WWE’s creative ecosystem: complete creative freedom without adequate guidance can lead to confusion and burnout, undermining talent potential. While WWE is the dream destination for many wrestlers, her experience raises questions about how the company can better support performers transitioning to the main roster.

The torn storylines and sudden talent releases hint at a volatile backstage environment driven by rapid strategic shifts. For wrestlers like Storm and others, opportunities beyond WWE—like AEW—provide crucial alternatives to thrive creatively and professionally.

As Tiffany Stratton’s comments remind us, in-ring performance is as much about trust and safety as spectacle, furthering the need for conscientious booking and wrestler welfare.

Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, Marking Out podcast, Busted Open Radio, The Sessions with Renee Paquette, Wrestling Headlines, WrestlingNews.co, Sports Illustrated Wrestling Fan Nation[1][2][3][4][5].