AEW Star QT Marshall Opens Up About Disinterest in WWE Amid Frustrating Talks
In an fascinating revelation that sheds light on backstage wrestling dynamics, AEW’s QT Marshall currently disclosed his detached stance closer to WWE, highlighting his loyalty to All Elite Wrestling and the unique innovative space it gives. The wrestling veteran, recognized no longer just for his in-ring prowess however for his behind the scenes impact, is a versatile figure in AEW, retaining several key roles within the corporation led via Tony Khan.
Back in November 2023, Marshall announced his exit from AEW, sparking rumors that innovative differences were a driving issue. However, by February 2024, he rejoined the organization as a Vice President—a position that lets him oversee numerous in the back of-the-scenes components with out being tethered to an distinctive wrestling position. Interestingly, his new association nonetheless allows him to struggle for other promotions, with one super exception: WWE.
Marshall’s name have been linked to WWE in speculative discussions, thanks in large part to his friendship with former AEW megastar and modern WWE heavyweight Cody Rhodes. However, Marshall discovered in an interview with Steven Muehlhausen of The Takedown on SI that his talks with WWE failed to improve, with his stories leaving a much less-than-superb impact.
Reflecting on these interactions, Marshall explained his reservations about WWE, particularly from the perspective of a non-wrestling role. “I remember telling Tony a long time ago when Cody first went to WWE, ‘I’m never going to leave AEW to go work in the office at WWE. I just won’t do it. That’s such a large system,’” Marshall said, expressing his distaste for being a small cog in a massive machine. He views himself as a multi-functional asset in AEW, saying, “I just do as much stuff as I possibly can. I don’t have just one role,” highlighting how the AEW environment allows him to maximize his varied skill set.
Marshall also shared that had WWE offered him a position solely as an in-ring talent, he might have been open to the possibility. “If they came to me and we spoke about just being a talent on the main roster… that’s the dream,” he admitted. However, the wrestling landscape has changed dramatically, and Marshall’s priorities appear to favor the flexibility and familiarity of AEW over the prestige of WWE.
He in addition revealed that the real communique with WWE left him feeling alienated. By early 2024, Marshall had already expressed his reason to go back to AEW, and a quick communicate with a WWE consultant—who is no longer with the enterprise—left him feeling “rubbed the wrong way.”
“It was like, ‘Hey, yeah, oh yeah, that’s great. All right.’ I told him, like, ‘Yeah, all right, we’ll stay in touch.’ To me, it was like I’m not staying in touch,” Marshall recounted. This curt exchange evidently reinforced his decision to decline any potential WWE involvement, and it was clear he was searching for a reason to stay loyal to AEW.
As he gears up for a return to the ring on AEW’s Full Gear pre-show in opposition to Costco Guy AJ, QT Marshall’s story resonates as a reminder of how complicated the wrestling international may be beyond the hoop. His allegiance to AEW, despite opportunities elsewhere, reflects the loyalty and autonomy he values, and it speaks to the particular brand of respect AEW fosters among its roster.
