Donovan Dijak Tells All About WWE Exit | Busted Open

[@randdeutsch9943]

Good to see someone who doesnt mince words and knows his worth .... Work will come your way for sure

[@teemimika7105]

And be humble at the same time too

[@nixy..]

@@randdeutsch9943 All these guys are a mark for themselves. They all say the same stuff & once they leave many fail to achieve the same amount of success. One common dominator with most of them is that it’s always everything around that is at fault. Seldomly do you ever hear them take accountability. True definition of being a mark for themselves. Ali, Nemeth, Monè. The list goes on & on.

[@marsanchez2500]

Love Love Love your work, your rivalry with Kieth was a highlight for NXT. It should’ve been more featured.

[@KyleFromSouthPark1995]

That was like 5 -6 years ago. What else has he done?

[@drizzyfest6285]

@@KyleFromSouthPark1995 marks

[@marsanchez2500]

@@KyleFromSouthPark1995 , he’s done lots of things since. I was just acknowledging his work with K. Lee

[@KyleFromSouthPark1995]

@@marsanchez2500 his work with lee was cool but he hasn't done much to stand out since then.

[@johnnysupreme5718]

@@KyleFromSouthPark1995 What's he been given to do?

[@tonyavila2540]

Dijak did awesome matches in NXT, they just didn’t give him a push.

[@AvengedSevenfold204]

Ya lets push everybody so the snowflake iwc can be happy!

[@diabetesninja743]

He was one of my favorite current WWE wrestlers. He totally reminded me of like a new Big Boss Man

[@therev_sungyungmoon24]

We never knew how great DIJAK was at speaking, because WWE never gave him an open mic. That is where the problem lies. He couldn't reach his full potential, because they held him back.

[@Ross5252jkvdd]

They wasnt holding him back they want u to succeed

[@nicklll4477]

​@@Ross5252jkvddwrong again. They held him back and storyline was provided.

[@_mattgoon]

@@nicklll4477nah you’re wrong his first mistake is going around begging people to become the next top guy. I don’t ever remember SCSA, The Rock, Undertaker, Mankind, John Cena, or even Roman having to do anything like that. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@unknownsample4801]

@@_mattgoon also those other guys you mentioned didn't stooge to the wrestling journalists.

[@nicklll4477]

@@_mattgoon and you're double wrong about him begging because he's trying to find ways and presented ideas as to how his character was being portrayed on TV. You're talking different times brother because nowadays people have to constantly prove their worth.

[@Joel-ym3ij]

Wishing Donovan Dijak all the best. I really enjoyed his second run on NXT with the Dijak sort of Street Justice Punisher gimmick. I have to be honest, his earlier personas (gimmicks) didn't work for me, but his wrestling was always good. I think the problem Donovan had .. is that WWE just has way too many talents on their roster now. It also that they have so many really good YOUNG talents that they want to invest in. Donovan has lots of potential, and he had a ton of GREAT NXT matches. The match he had where he dislocated his finger was one example of how Donovan did ..EVERYTHING.. they asked of him.. and MORE. I think he can take this gimmick on the road with other promotions and do well for himself.

[@KK-pm7ud]

I agree with everything you have written here. It's not a case of Dijak not being good. It's a case of other talents being developed and pushed. Even with the extra hour added each week with Netflix, there just isn't enough screen time for everyone. I seriously believe that Dijak has so much range that he can be an in-ring talent. A manager. A GM. Anything. So the best thing he can do is to continue to push his craft and character wherever he can and in the way it makes sense. Eventually he could get back to WWE or he could have a place in AEW or even running his own promotion. That's how good he is. Keeping positive and professional is the way to go. And continuing to work hard and take opportunities as he can. I have so much more respect for Dijak now because of this interview and what happened than what I had for him with his character in NXT. That maturity and personal growth will serve him best as his career continues.

[@Joel-ym3ij]

@@KK-pm7ud I was really hoping Dijak was going to be the enforcer/heater for the The Don of NXT's faction, he looked like he could be the kafabe older brother to Stacks. They obviosly went a different way with the other two members. (I don't mind) I hope that faction sticks together and gets pushed more. I worry they will get lost in the mix. The tag team divisions still seem like a place they put talent that then want to push, but aren't ready to do so..OR some midcard guys or solid workers that can bump for the Champion in the way they used Bloodline and Judgement day. I don't have a problem with them doing that..from time to time.. but tag teams just don't have the respect that they could have. Hopefully they can build up the tag team division the way they built the Intercontinental Championship and the new Heavyweight champion. I think HHH has mentioned that he wants to make everyone better.. to elevate all the positions, and he is doing that, but there is plenty more to do. Keeping kafabe storylines and not just randomly dropping them, and callbacks to older stories are what makes the fans engaged.. rewards us for paying attention.

[@brandonperezpr]

This man has been for thr mayority of his WWE career in NXT, and didn't win an NXT Title. Bummer. This man is so f'ing talented and has my respect.

[@mfinite689]

I saw DIJAK as one of those guys who could give credibility to the other person in the ring. Whether it's Wes Lee, Eddy Thorpe, Ilja, etc. If you didn't think much of DIJAK's opponent before the match started, you probably changed your mind by the end of the match.

[@danzahn4401]

Whats with Daves hair

[@benjaminharrisongray9079]

Why couldn't they work with this guy? He checks so many boxes.

[@ItsYuhBoyyyy]

Just wanna know if he was the Fightful leak or not

[@beauclark1650]

its obvious

[@robertsaiz8397]

He's the 🐀 But I like him in the ring for sure

[@VMR514]

@@ItsYuhBoyyyy I heard the same thing

[@beauclark1650]

@@VMR514 it's like jericho being Dave's stooge since the mid 90s

[@KK-pm7ud]

Snitches get

[@KK-pm7ud]

I cannot believe we don't get to see him on Raw with all of the other big men on there. He would be so good. I can see that maybe with the direction Drew wss headed, that Dijak was just too much of the same. Kross' storyline probanly hurt too. He'll do well in other places. Such a tremendous talent that makes others look better and has a gimmick that looks good on his own.

[@shanebagin]

I feel like they wasted Dijak with everything. He is well spoken willing to give him a chance. I got to see how awesome he was in ROH.

[@Coolcat3]

Dijack was awesome in nxt his rivalry with Eddie Thorpe and gacey was so good

[@michaelvazquez7851]

Good interview

[@LoLord444]

Dijak is a great wrestler I really enjoyed his stuff in his first run with nxt.

[@Green.P3]

I can tell this release took a big toll on him.

[@Green.P3]

Dijak should be in the position that Damien Priest is in and that’s no disrespect to Damien I’m just giving my opinion on things.

[@teemimika7105]

Yes, he's definitely a better version of Damien Priest should be

[@harrizzaini7324]

No disrespect but still gave a disrespectful statement lol

[@Green.P3]

@@harrizzaini7324 How ?

[@diluted8]

Yep

[@NOname-bv2jy]

Neither of them should be world champion

[@cwalser544]

Great guy, very bright and is capable of being a top talent anywhere he goes. WWE is not the end all be all. And usually people always return after their namesake heightens further potential.

[@castielchieng7475]

He remained loyal, took anything given in but went nowhere, it's too bad for him. I hope he can go NJPW where he can be a top foreign heel.

[@TheTalk23]

I gotta feeling retribution was the kiss of death. Everyone a part of the group was gonna be let go or in his case not offered a new contract. So, if there is anyone to blame it is the person that decided to make a group like that.

[@Bboy20clo]

I’m a Dijak fan he was good mic and wrestling wise , I hope he either comes back or get main even like in TNA or NJPW

[@honestred7600]

I completely forgot about Revolution. I didn't even realize this guy was the same dude that was T Bar. I was shocked that they let him go, I liked all the stuff he did as Dijak. I guess having a main event contract being the reason kind of makes sense. Guy has loads of potential wherever he goes.

[@balamohammed5947]

it was really unfair that him and Ali never got a championship run before they were let go

[@diluted8]

I could get behind Dijak

[@timothywhalen4350]

Loved dijaks work always. Shame but only be worse elsewhere. Ask Keith Lee.

[@chrono050]

i can't believe they called him up with no plan while he was in a NXT title scene. I see him one day coming back to WWE he's just to great of a talent. I wish Shawn Micheals had any say in the "Draft" call ups Dijak should have been NXT champ

[@matthewthomas9194]

They knew when they called him up they weren't resigning him

[@kurtisdefender]

Dijak is the best and needs to be treated as such , I'm sure he will prove them wrong by killing it on the indies. Dijak always have a positive mindset and is very respectful about things. I love Dijak.

[@StrangerX9]

I'm gonna be brutally honest, but Dijak never did it for me. The "feast your eyes" thing was corny to me, and not getting over with me. He was a big dude, who had a good body, but it just didn't click with me that he's this domoniating big man. The Retribution gimmick totally killed him for me, and everyone else in there became such a joke. The group was poison, and they were treated like a band of jobbers. Finally, his facials seem goofy to me at times and like bad acting. He doesn't sell very well, and is a bit clumsy too.

[@UFCWWE69]

Cause he worked like a cruiserweight. In an era wher everyone is doing flips, it might’ve been better if he just straight up wrestled like a heavyweight cause those are getting more and more rare these days.

[@wondahquinn6825]

Excited to find out where Donovan Dijak ends up. AEW is the second biggest company and it seemed in this interview like he knew people from there so maybe he’d do well there. People (myself included) might say TNA or NJPW but those are smaller. I hope we see very soon.

[@codeyhunt9742]

I still don't understand why and how dijak got released 😢 he had so much potential!

[@juanftp8857]

Who’s the heavy breather?

[@edb7476]

Listen, smackdown in Worcester, his hometown would have been a perfect place/time for a DIJAK restart on 7/14.

[@user-hk6zq3hw4x]

I Like WWE But I Don't Like When Wrestlers Getting Released From WWE But If I'm A WWE Wrestler And If My Contract Is Up I Would Not Get Release From WWE I'll Just Stay In WWE As Long As I Want If I Become Myself A Wrestler Right Now

[@paulcarpenter7844]

You act like you got an option if they don't want you get rid u

[@neocloudmarts9613]

I was really looking forward to his main roster appearance.

[@mcRenegade187]

DIJAK was on the wrestling Delorean podcast as well yesterday for a full hour interview

[@Boogerman9047]

Respect to the ECW legend Tommy Dreamer bro, true legend

[@BabyBasile]

We also have an interview with him this morning 🎉🏆

[@therev_sungyungmoon24]

DIJAK had some affiliation with Prince Nana, Swerve Strickland's manager when he was with Ring Of Honor before he was in NXT. They could plug him back in that stable and be Swerve Strickland's bodyguard with the same style he had in NXT. That would work.

[@Cactus1052]

Tony wouldn't do anything with him, he's already got too many people working there.

[@therev_sungyungmoon24]

@@Cactus1052 That sounds more like WWE, which is why they got rid of DIJAK.

[@Izzmo5]

I respect Dijak. I loved his matches. Banger after banger. Never disappoint, but i mean. If your giving out any type information when your not supposed to. Then honestly you got to go. Good info or bad. You got to go. We can't have that. You should've changed your ways. Hopefully you do. Hopefully we'll see in Wwe or Nxt again. Awesome talent wish you well.

[@joshhilliard6188]

Top guy...not even close 😂😂

[@guerrero520]

Man he was my favorite NXT wrestler, I used to talk him up, and was excited when he got drafted to raw. Weeks would go by and no Dijak, and then this happened. Releases happen, but in this case I can’t help but feel that this was a huge mistake.

[@thedeadmanfan09]

Dijak and Keith Lee's matches on NXT made me a believer in both guys. I know Keith had health complications after covid, but Dijak was never given a fair shot, so it sucks to see WWE dropped the ball on both these guys

[@Lamb2Lionz]

Can you ask him what is the hair spray he uses to cover up the balding, it must be a real good product for it to not get all over the canvas & wrestlers when he gets sweaty

[@DeejayQualityMusic]

The way he sacrificed his body in those hardcore matches and put on a show and did the high risk moves he did … they dropped the ball on him

[@JDB269]

He rates himself so much higher than everyone else in the world

[@stuckintheinbetween]

This is why we can't just have WWE. Having WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, ROH, MLW, NWA, etc., is what's best for the overall health of the business, the fans who have choice, and the wrestlers who can go somewhere else if they're not happy, if they've hit a wall where they currently are, or just for contract negotiations to get better pay.

[@ericwilliams4300]

Not surprised WWE wasted him at all. They have a history of having their heads up their rears.

[@DemonArshan]

They never even give him a shot as Dijak on Raw

[@J12_99]

No wonder this guy was sapps stooge sounds like a complete twitter mark

[@paulcarpenter7844]

Literally just got watching his 20-20 match with Keith Lee NXT Oregon and disgusting what his career could of been

[@senoka4638]

Bubba: Kayfabe "Camera switches over to him in shorts with his leg hiked up". That was funny.

[@JimmyFingers19]

Great interview guys. Dave love ya Bro so please don't take this the wrong way, but I think its time for a hair style change. You look like your Bea Arthur transitioning from Maude to Dorothy

[@EyadX1997]

Domoink Dijakovich look like Sami Zayn

[@paulcarpenter7844]

What where

[@truboss9470]

Meanwhile Triple H is still trying to make Karrion Kross a thing.

[@2011SoxMD36]

I mean… Priest is a World Champion and I’m pretty sure he’s just Dijak but sometimes speaks a line or two of Spanish. Big swing and a miss that Dijak is gone

[@MartzieG]

Nah no reason to put another wrestler down, not everyone makes it, whether they deserve it or not, and that's the nature of the beast.

[@diluted8]

HHH likes his metalhead projects

[@BabyMaharaja0]

Karrion Kross atleast looks like a star and has a great valet

[@Mark-G1978]

Great talent.

[@VMR514]

Is it true he was leaking info to fightful. Regardless how do you let this guy go

[@KK-pm7ud]

If so, I can see why they let him go. You just can't do that.

[@VMR514]

@@KK-pm7ud true but they could've fired him and he'd have a 90 day non compete . instead his contract was up and he can show up anywhere.

[@KK-pm7ud]

@@VMR514 It seems from what I'm gathering that the WWE brass liked Dijak and think of him well. Maybe there just wasn't enough tv time available given all of the development they were doing in NXT and all of the storylines on the main roster. Just because he doesn't fit now, doesn't mean he can't come back later in some capacity.

[@VMR514]

@@KK-pm7ud he was on busted open radio on utube pretty good interview. The way he was telling it he got strung along

[@KK-pm7ud]

@@VMR514 Strung along is how the business world works. There are many potential scenarios and things that could happen that allow someone to get an opportunity or not. For example, Liv's revenge tour is box office right now. But that opportunity came about because Rhea is away for personal stuff. Randy was hurt for a while and finally came back. Perhaps the WWE was planning storylines based on Randy not coming back and all of the sudden Randy comes back and they need a place for him. Which takes an opportunity away from others. And then someone like Punk gets hurt and all of the sudden you need to give another story more time. Or Bray dies and you need to fill 20 minutes every week with something else. And then LA Knight blows up and you need to find time for him. And then some guy named Oba looks amazing in NXT and you need to figure out what to do with him. Stringing along is just another way to say that someone else took Dijak's spot or the Wyatt Six needed time on the show and they needed to replace that time by taking other opportunities away. The BEST thing the WWE did for Dijak was to give him an opportunity to shine on NXT. By giving him that time they allowed opportunities to open up on the main roster for him. But it just turned out that the Wyatt Six and other stories took up too much time. There are 5 or 6 stories on the main roster right now that are huge. It's hard to give Dijak space on the main roster right now. Because if there were space the WWE would have given it to him. I have no doubt. Unless there was an issue with fightful; which I don't know about.

[@Mark-G1978]

Why did they move him to the main roster?

[@joelane5306]

He ready, willing and able to do anything ask. I've never seen him have the boo boo face IN NXT and prbly not the main roster either but they wore those stupid masks. If I had been in retribution I would have had the boo boo face. I hope he's a champion somewhere.

[@jpthegr8860]

It’s a shame that WWE didn’t get behind this guy. Dominik Daijakovic in the ring gear from his NXT run, just a complete basass- there’s nothing wrong with it.

[@truthrises5985]

Feast Your Eyes

[@jimmyandroid24]

this guy is so full of himself no wonder they let him go

[@Darule514]

The most underutilized wrestler in the WWE (formerly from WWE now)

[@Lllchristie]

I started watching him during his ROH days. Idk if it’s true but I heard wwe found out he was leaking information to dirt sheets. If that’s the truth I can understand why they went about things the way they did…. Either way can’t wait till we can feast our eyes again.

[@adamburke4738]

Out of everything that he did in the second NXT run, the match he had last year at Battleground with Dragunov was beautifully barbaric.

[@faithless-games3893]

Really enjoyed his in ring work, but when you're giving the dirt sheets inside info etc, thats not gonna help your position in a company 🤷

[@pyromaximus8890]

32:56 😂kayfabe bully is hilarious but right. Also you can never have to many big guys so idk wtf VMcM was thinking 🤔 if anything you can always turn them loose on the rest of the roster was and always is fun to watch and never gets old😂. Why the giants beating up everyone because they can 😂 until they organize and push back against the evil corporation. Like the corp never stopped being bad they just changed targets since the attitude era and that should have stayed consistent until the end

[@christopheraaron8299]

Sour grapes from mediocre talent never goes over well. WWE didn't have anything for him because he's not a dynamic character that people demand to see. When he wasn't on tv, nobody noticed. Why? He's kinda boring. Just being honest. 🤷‍♂

[@Csquared14]

During his stream with MxM insiders he literally pointed out that he doesn’t have sour grapes towards WWE and is grateful for the money and opportunity he had working there Edit: Also whether he was on or off TV even during his NXT run there were Dijak signs every other week in the crowds during Raw so people did notice

[@christopheraaron8299]

@@Csquared14 Yeah, kinda like how people say "no offense" and then say something incredibly offensive. He says he doesn't have sour grapes, but then unloads a whole vineyard of sour grapes.

[@Csquared14]

@@christopheraaron8299 even if it did come off that way can you really blame him

[@christopheraaron8299]

@@Csquared14 Yes, absolutely. If he was over with the fans like Zach Ryder was when he was released, I would get it. But he was just some guy that most people wouldn't be able to pick out of a lineup.

[@mysweetness2009]

I've never been invested in Dijak until today

[@XavierGage]

Ol Donavon Dirtsheet!

[@robertharris9120]

I think Retribution stalled his career in WWE. You never really recovered. The only one left from that faction is Mia Yim. She had a banger last night on NXT.

[@MahdiRanger]

They didn't lose out on anything special.

[@gwenevierwatson6820]

Cant wait to see his next ratio

[@jessiemorris84]

I'm forever a Dijakulator!!

[@CaspersEyeSocket]

Dijaks next diesel

[@launzabarnes3021]

WWE dropped the ball with Dijak and i dare someone try to defend cutting a talent like him. They never gave him a push and he took every opportunity and knocked it out the park.

[@Hard562010]

He was leaking backstage stuff to sean ross sapp lah

[@launzabarnes3021]

@@Hard562010 If true FIRED, I hate guys like that

[@CanerCano-sz5dc]

In my OPINION the WWE has just TOO MANY WRESTLERS... in the 90tees there were NOT SO MANY Wrestlers...and you could use them really well ... Bret, Shawn, Stone COld...etc. there were NOT so many... and you could use them for good storylines !!! but now the WWE is full of WRESTLERS...and too many storylines... It's very confusing and NOT WATCHABLE ...

[@TheGemGaming19]

I agree

[@therealdarden]

Time to initiate ratio protocol

[@housemoneyfilmproduction6562]

So, I wonder if I should still use my Dijak amethyst card hmmmm

[@housemoneyfilmproduction6562]

but fo real... on a side note.. his matches were stellar.. I think they screwed Dijak around

[@handsomehusa480]

Dude was a total professional hope to see him back soon. This is wack that they let him go. He’s a talent hands down! 6”9 does flips goes off the top can wrestle like come one Wwe

[@SkidMark5150]

Funny how they own his REAL LAST NAME

[@robertcornelius3514]

What up with Dave's haircut

[@XavierGage]

Dave Lesbian Legraca

[@robertcornelius3514]

@@XavierGage , I hold my Bud Light high in the air.

[@arturoalmazan5262]

its a damn wig 😂😂

[@Duckiefasca]

Dijak could've made Final Testament better ngl

[@CaspersEyeSocket]

he looks like sami zayn here loool

[@NottyGurlStyle]

I think after this, he should just go and make himself big elsewhere but chill on blasting WWE all over social media… because there were others who got let go and never said a word and got an offer to come back and is doing well. The only man who can talk all of this about the company, leave to 10 years and come back is CM Punk. I wasn’t familiar with this guy so I don’t know how he works but from what I seen with his in ring action he’s good. But you know once you rub people the wrong way in the back…it’s not good. Who knows but I’m sure he will bounce back into something else real soon.

[@iambrdy]

Maybe mute your mics, while the interviewee is speaking. Hearing the breathing is distracting :)

[@paulcarpenter7844]

That's bully

[@danforrester5937]

Should’ve kept him on nxt

[@lugenkresse5825]

I hope this was worth the alleged 250$

[@user-wo6je8iw7g]

I don't understand the hype on this guy I never heard of him if he was so good he would be in wwe

[@user-wo6je8iw7g]

He looks like his age got him he looks old

[@Crest_Expert]

Bruh Dijak is goated

[@jamiewilliams7443]

His skills up there with priest to me

[@silxix2599]

That doesn't prove anything. Look how awesome Swerve Strickland is and he also got released. Ziggler is not in the WWE either, doesn't mean he isn't very talented.

[@silxix2599]

He might need a new character to stand out. For now he seems like a solid wrestler, but if he doesn't have a great look, or isn't a great wrestler then he needs a character or story. He speaks ok, but he doesn't seem like a top promo guy. Just comparing to other greats, who had breakout into stardom, they had something on them that made them stand out. However, I never can say never. He isn't the youngest dude, so his time is limited. Priest has a unique look. I just don't have much faith in what he can be. Maybe he can find a tag team partner.

[@nixy..]

Bully’s ask Dijak when he could have improved. Proceeds to go over on a 5 minute plus rant & doesn’t answer it lol

[@alankidd6832]

🐀🐀

[@MiniMugenMan]

I mean just pay attention to his "rant", he said he probably should've been more proactive with Hunter and the other behind the scenes big wigs. But always felt they had too much going on to approach them. Just cause it wasn't the answer you wanted, doesn't mean he didn't answer the question. Just listen.

[@nixy..]

@@MiniMugenMan If I were you, I wouldn’t be proud of those so called listening skills. He doesn’t answer Bully’s question when asked “what could you done better to renew”. Just think about it, Why would he say his attitude prevented him from renewing. Just comprehend when people talk, it’s not that hard.

[@BabyMaharaja0]

he comes off very entitled and victimized

[@fscorpion678]

@@BabyMaharaja0Entitled because he wants to be booked better? Or at least have the courtesy to know what their plans are for him?

[@jackconorria4033]

When i realized this dude was a massive mark for himself, that’s when I 180’d on him. Bragging about 5 star matches lmao

[@MMastaM]

yeah like always... the bookers are the guilty ones... he wasn`t the most interesting guy around...

[@jamiewilliams7443]

TNA perfect for him can challenge for x divison and tna title

[@plaguedoctoremaz6629]

Wwe fumbled we need to start a #weeantdijak

[@diluted8]

"FEAST YOUR EYES"

[@the90sguy]

cringe

[@mr.arabmoney9677]

He would have been a good replacement for Priest in JD. Or at worst in a tag with Kross. Two Croatian big man who can work instead of this whole Final Testiment thing that’s dull

[@francisco_m7849]

Wait, a second Dijak just said something that I hope is coincidental and not on purpose. if he had still been on an NXT contract when they released him, he would’ve only had 30 days no compete. But they moved him to a main roster contract and there is a 90 day no compete on that contract. If they have plans to let him go, did they just move them to a different bracket in order to invoke a 90 day clause on him?

[@cozgreenhalgh9516]

There isn’t any no compete if the contract expires at its time period, your no compete is only activated if you’re released before the contracts end date

[@JamesAllen2k24]

It's mind boggling how talentless jobbers like Tozawa, JD McDonald's, The stooges of Escobar, and more are still with WWE and they fired a talented guy who could draw money like Dijak.

[@qlee2385]

They held him back just like they did ricochet and lash legend.

[@rickroberts7611]

He held himself back..

[@XavierGage]

🤡

[@qlee2385]

@@rickroberts7611 no he didn’t

[@randomnetizen7065]

Pushing karrion kross : yes pushing dijak : no maybe kross feeding scarlett to the management

[@abeldandrea1204]

The Dijak.