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Last month, Murphy was one of the many names released by WWE, however, upon his firing, he was met with a worrying phone call from WWE, who thought they had given him a shorter non-compete clause.
Most of the time when a Superstar is released from WWE, they are handed a 90-day non-compete clause, which benefits both sides, as WWE can prevent a wrestler from suddenly appearing elsewhere coming off of a release, and wrestlers can evaluate their future while still being paid. This is slightly different for NXT wrestlers, who are given 30-day non-compete clauses.
While speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Murphy recalled how WWE called him in panic, thinking that they had given him a 30-day non-compete.
“I received a phone call from the office the day after I was released saying that they received an email that they messed up and my contract was only 30-day non-compete and that if I wanted to prolong it to the 90 days that they would do that for me. I thought that was weird as I was a budget cut, but you’re still willing to pay me another two months, but it wasn’t me. I had my letter, which says ‘August 31.’ August 31 is my day. When it comes to the visa situation, the more time I have, the better so I can get prepared. Even if they gave me an out, I would have to take it for my life. They thought it was me (who had a 30-day non-compete). I informed them that it wasn’t because I received a letter with (August 31). It turned to relief. It went from panic to relief on the voice (on the phone call). Then they moved on. I think they panicked and obviously they got the name mixed up. It was someone, but it wasn’t me. Maybe Buddy and Aleister got mixed up. Buddy or Black, they are both B’s. They called me, not me. You hear all the things like the trash bag thing and I’m a pretty open-minded person and don’t get affected by it. I try and see both sides of the story. I don’t think there was any malice behind the garbage bag, but it’s not a good look, I get it. Do I believe there was actual malice to upset (talent)? No, I don’t. Definitely a shitty thing to do once you’ve been released and your life is being changed.”
Aleister Black, who was also released by WWE last month, made his shocking AEW debut during this week’s episode of Dynamite, and while fans were confused as to why he was able to debut less than 90 days after his release, it was later reported that WWE mistakenly gave him a 30-day non-compete.
You can watch the full interview with Fightful below