James Drake and Zack Gibson, known as the Grizzled Young Veterans, haven’t looked back since leaving WWE in 2023. In a recent interview, they explained their decision and why they believe it was the best move for their careers.
The duo revealed they felt it was time to move on after completing their storyline at NXT Stand & Deliver. While WWE was doing well overall, they weren’t being used to their full potential. Their primary role became training and mentoring new wrestlers from NXT 2.0.
Our Stock is Going Up Again
While they appreciated the trust WWE placed in them, Drake and Gibson felt their own careers were stagnating. They used to run a wrestling school, so they were well-suited for the training role. However, the lack of in-ring opportunities became a dealbreaker.
“We were kind of locked in a situation where we couldn’t progress,” Drake explained. “We’re still young, but we knew this chance wouldn’t last forever. It was now or never.”
Gibson echoed Drake’s sentiment. He said they left because their personal career growth was limited in WWE while the company itself was thriving. They saw their “stock” going down, so they decided to take control of their future.
Since leaving WWE, the Grizzled Young Veterans have been tearing it up on the independent scene. Their recent impressive match at AEW Collision is a testament to their talent.
While they haven’t signed with AEW yet, their success shows they made the right decision to pursue new opportunities. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for this dynamic duo.
