In a story first reported by Pro Wrestling Torch, Dean Ambrose informed WWE officials this weekend he would be leaving when his current deal expires in a few months.
Ambrose, a former WWE Champion, was said to have informed both WWE officials and Vince McMahon directly of his decision. PWInsider reports that Ambrose was offered a new five-year deal and turned it down. His current deal expires shortly after WrestleMania.
Ambrose has been under contract with WWE since 2011, where he first started out in the company’s Florida Championship Wrestling developmental territory and later transitioned to NXT. He was brought up to the main roster in 2012 at the Survivor Series PPV as a member of The Shield, along with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
He recently returned to WWE full-time last August after experiencing a very serious triceps tear back in 2017 that ended up requiring multiple surgeries. Ambrose revealed last September that he “nearly died” as a result of a serious staph infection after recovering from surgery. He would go on to reunite with The Shield and then later capture the Intercontinental Championship in December. Ambrose was involved in a high profile feud with Seth Rollins in recent months after Roman Reigns was written off television.
The same report by PWInsider noted that his current deal, which either expires some time in April or May, could see WWE attempt to come back with an even bigger offer to keep him with the company and prevent him from signing with AEW, New Japan, ROH, Impact or any other wrestling promotions that would be interested in his services. The report by the Pro Wrestling Torch stated that Ambrose has been frustrated with the creative direction of his character in WWE and that he simply reached a “breaking point” recently.
Ambrose did appear on RAW last night, losing to Seth Rollins in the opening match of the night and later getting into a confrontation in the ring with Nia Jax.
Attempts by Wrestleview to get an official comment from WWE were not returned.