Back in December 2022, it was first reported that former two-time Impact World Champion Eric Young would be headed back to WWE, but no additional details were known at the time.
Young's departure became evident after he was killed in storyline by Deaner, his Violent by Design stablemate.
Months went by and Young was never seen on WWE television and it was recently reported by Fightful that Young had asked for his release only a few months after signing. They later reported that WWE sources confirmed Young "cited moral, creative and personal reasons as why he didn't want to work with Vince McMahon."
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By this past April, his release had been granted and his 90-day non-compete clause was up just in time for him to make his surprise return at Impact Slammiversary as the mystery partner of Scott D'Amore.
I recently caught up with Young to set the record straight and learn more about what's ahead. The entire interview is available above for free on YouTube.
Why did he leave WWE?
"I can say that I signed up for one thing and then was presented with a completely different thing and personally, professionally and for me, more importantly morally, I can't take instruction and work for a person like that," he said with "a person" assumed to be McMahon.
He explained that he didn't want to leave Impact in the first place, but "business is business" and he couldn't decline the opportunity being offered to him by WWE.
"If you would have said that nine months ago, six months ago, I probably would have said 'No, I wouldn't be back in Impact.' But fate's got a funny way of doing things. And like I said, I didn't really want to leave in the first place, but business is business. An opportunity had presented itself that I just couldn't say no to," he said.
"I made the move and I don't regret it at all. Nine months vacation, there's worse things that could happen to a person for sure," he said.
Young also explained that he considered himself "lucky" to be in a position where he could ask for, and be granted, his release. It was a decision he knew came with risks.
"I know that there are tons of people that won't have that ability and can't make that choice, but I could. And for me, it was undoubtedly, unequivocally and unabashedly the right choice for me. And it's not going to be the same for everybody, but for me, it's the right choice.
"I walked away from a massive opportunity & life-changing money and I don't regret it. I didn't regret it then and I certainly don't regret it now. And I know in ten years I certainly won't regret it. And I'll know it was the exact right decision. And I'm glad that I have the ability to make it," he said.