WWE Rejects Luke Harper's Release Request, Veteran Signs With AEW: Report

Luke Harper had, earlier in April, announced he would be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after requesting his release following six years with the company. But WWE chairman Vince McMahon has turned down the request as he is keen on keeping the roster intact.

The 39-year-old was out of action for around five months, from October, after undergoing a double ligament reconstruction surgery on his wrist, and was only cleared to return to the ring in February. However, WWE had no plans for Harper, which meant he did not get any TV time since making his return.

Harper felt that leaving WWE would be the best course of action to progress his pro-wrestling career and thus requested a release with a heartfelt message, thanking everyone involved with the promotion. But his request was rejected by McMahon, who has reportedly gone on to add a further six months to his deal owing to his time out due to the surgery.

Harper will now be part of the WWE at least until WrestleMania 36 in 2020 after the addition of six months to his deal, but the company’s plans to reintroduce him to the storyline still remains unclear. The reason according to Wrestling Inc., is that MCMahon is not keen to lose any more members from the roster.

“As of this evening I have requested a release from WWE. The past six years have been a simply, amazing journey around the world and back with lifelong friends and family. I am proud of it all and proud to say I shared a ring with my co-workers,” Harper had said, via his official Twitter account.

“This decision, as difficult as it was, feels right for myself and WWE. My goal in the future is to continue to grow as a performer and person and continue to make my family proud,” he added.

However, in the light of McMahon’s decision on Harper, it was strange that Dustin Rhodes – in-ring name Goldust – was granted his release from the company in January. He had a non-compete clause that banned him from making his exit public until earlier this month.

Rhodes has wasted no time in securing employment elsewhere, as WWE’s newest rival in the pro-wrestling scene All Elite Wrestling has announced a match involving former WWE star Cody Rhodes and his older brother Dustin in the promotion’s upcoming first live event “Double or Nothing.”

Moreover, according to Dave Meltzer, one of the key reasons Rhodes was granted his release was because Triple H – WWE’s vice-president of talent and live events – made a personal phone call to McMahon, asking him to sign off on the veteran wrestler’s release.