Trey Miguel’s AEW exit may have seemed sudden—but his latest comments suggest there was more behind the decision than just creative direction or personal burnout.
On January 19, 2026, Miguel took to Twitter and seemingly confirmed what fans have speculated: his release from AEW may have been connected to controversial social media posts from his past. While he didn’t cite any incident directly, Miguel appeared to acknowledge that previous behavior online may have contributed to his abrupt departure.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my time,” he wrote. “I’ve always apologized and did my best to put a better foot forward after. I don’t preach hate and I don’t take any pride in being hateful. I’m a man of faith, I believe in forgiveness and only ever preach that. I’m a different man today.”
This statement arrived just a day after Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select confirmed that Miguel had been quietly released by AEW, just days after signing a multi-year deal. The decision came ahead of the January 17 episode of AEW Collision, where his Rascalz stablemates—Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, and Myron Reed—made their company debut. Miguel wasn’t backstage and was notably absent from both the show and any commentary, sparking fan concerns.
Miguel previously came under fire in 2020 for making homophobic remarks in response to a troll on Facebook. In the now-infamous post, he equated being gay with being unattractive and mocked the person’s appearance. While the exchange was provoked, Miguel’s comments were widely condemned. He later issued an apology, stating:
“I’m not anti-LGBTQ+. I made some very mean comments to a member of the community in regards to why they were a member and it wasn’t right or tasteful… If I offended you then I’m genuinely sorry. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. If you can’t forgive me, I do not blame you. But this world needs more love than hate and I’m sorry for contributing to the less desired of the two.”
However, that wasn’t the only time Miguel found himself in hot water. In 2019, he was also called out for anti-Semitic comments during a heated Twitter exchange with David Starr, including mocking Starr’s visit to Holocaust memorial sites and using the phrase “All Lives Matter.” He even went so far as to reference revenge porn in a retaliatory remark—an incident that drew serious backlash from fans and peers alike.
With Miguel now off the AEW roster and out of the limelight, the situation has shifted from confusion to controversy. While he has shown remorse and insists he’s grown from his past, the timing of AEW’s decision and his own admissions suggest that accountability is catching up to him—especially in an era where public scrutiny is stronger than ever.
What are your thoughts on AEW parting ways with Trey Miguel? Should talent be given more opportunities to grow—or are companies right to draw a line? Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation.
