Ember Moon (Athena) Turned Down a 5x Pay Raise From WWE

Former WWE Superstar Ember Moon (Athena) joins Chris Van Vliet to discuss turning down an offer to re-sign with WWE before eventually being released by the company. Ember Moon is a 15-year veteran of professional wrestling who worked at WWE from 2015 to 2021.
This is a clip from our full interview that you can listen to on my podcast "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet" and watch on my ‪@ChrisVanVliet‬ channel here: • Athena (Ember Moon) On...
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#EmberMoon #WWE #Athena

[@jeffy-baby]

If you've ever worked a job you hate, you get it.

[@tinocontreras5105]

Your damn right. Sometimes money isn't important

[@nerdingout3560]

every jobbed ive ever worked ive hated but they also werent offering that kind of money or those kinds of raises. if you've never struggled to make ends meet during the holidays or lived paycheck to paycheck struggling to pay bills then you wont understand why some people might say take the money. also society teaches you at a very young age to be materialistic so im not surprised when i see comments saying take the money

[@porkchopexpress6890]

@@nerdingout3560 exactly man. These young people today have it easy and for those few grown ups who never struggled paying bills and living paycheck to paycheck really sucks ass man specially if sometimes the paychecks are low as hell and you worked a shit load of hours. Like I said these kids have it easy these days like they could make money from home from their computers now something we didn’t have back then. Yes we have that also but to go through the struggles and hating working at some places it’s a bitch. And also when they take advantage of you cuz they can. So pay raises don’t mean shit when your unhappy.

[@ever6]

Damn I can totally relate to all yall so refreshing man. The new generation mixed with a few others are lazy as hell. There's so much resources available that wasn't for us. I agree with working a crap load of hours and it's not enough especially during the holidays. I'm just talking about a side job vs the main job. Ah you guys get the idea I've rant enough.

[@Dukeuabaufan]

Nah. Any job I have hated. If they offer my 5x pay I stay. Unless it’s a server job where it’s all tips

[@slasherdope8065]

Happiness over money, I respect that

[@GREAT-DYNASTY]

stop being a hippie how you gonna pay for m food or the rent what you gonna do eat your arms and legs

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Especially since it ain’t guaranteed and she could of gotten released

[@BrokeWorks]

Hope that happiness lasts her a long time, bcuz when her body starts to wear out she might regret her choice

[@conEso916]

@@BrokeWorks lmao it'll come back 10-fold she has a conscience people like you miserable trying become her

[@senordurag]

@@conEso916 what does conscious have to do with anything? yall act like if she took the money she’s committing some cardinal sin lol. aint nothing wrong with taking the money

[@chrismarthaller1032]

For all of yall saying "should've taken the money" I can assure you, nobody on their deathbed regrets the money they didn't make. The typically regret the choices they made that made them unhappy in life

[@richeyd12]

This makes no sense in this context tho. If she resigned, she probably would have been actually used, seeing WWE made such an financial investment in her... But she declined the contract so it was no reason in using her. Perhaps she cut her face to save her nose?

[@chifumujmanda7643]

@@richeyd12 don't WWE resign people to big money contracts only to then release them all the time?

[@kerstonhuston540]

@@richeyd12 Did you watch the entire interview? WWE planned to take her off tv and put her in a coaching role. In part they had no plans for her and she kinda felt they wanted to resign her to prevent her from signing at like AEW.

[@dreco2x199]

@@richeyd12 "probably" do your research. So many superstars are under contract rn just to sit at home. They were not going to use her, just to keep her from going to the competition.

[@Trapper177]

@chris you seem so sure, are you on your deathbed?

[@swacfan100]

When your fed up, that's it. Even money wont pacify

[@meldrickedwards1892]

B.s.

[@preetpalsingh5104]

Jon moxley in his interview with Chris Jericho said that, he couldn't believe that WWE was making him walk away from all the money because he was so unhappy with what he was doing there

[@TheMan750]

I can respect that, she’s a pro wrestler, she wants to wrestle, they wanted to pay her to keep her. That’s not how it works to some pro wrestlers, which is probably why they’re more on the former athlete turned sports entertainer formula.

[@MentalWisdom]

Where she gonna go AEW they woman's division is poorly booked has well

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

That WWE for you, they do it to Dolph and other wrestlers we don't see on TV.

[@YPC_Liarrr]

@@MentalWisdom better than WWE and that’s the truth

[@martychambers8927]

@@YPC_Liarrr women division not

[@Maradala]

No that's not how it works in pro wrestling. I'm so happy she will be making 100 a night in the indies. And turned down 500k.

[@bowdenproductions]

Mad respect to her. I probably wouldn’t have been able to turn that down no matter how miserable I’d be.

[@joe.limbus]

I gotta respect her decision but man.....5x!?!? I'm just gonna have to suffer some more😅😂

[@eastwaters4082]

Then you'll look like the biggest idiot if you get cut. Look at Gallows & Anderson.

[@2Good2BeTrue45]

Yeah she says "probably 5 times what she was making" The thing, Ember is being very slick with how she wording it to make it seem like she is getting Brock Lesnar/Roman Reigns type of money, which is absolutely not true. She would never even make Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey or Becky Lynch type of money so you have to take what she is saying with a grain of salt. NXT stars make 75k to 100k, its only when you go to the main roster that you make 250k automatically. Remember that she got removed from the main roster and sent back Also remember the time everyone and their mama was offered humongous contracts due to AEW's start, regardless of the wrestlers actual ability and performance (even the Good Brothers were offered like 5 million, as well as stars like Tozawa, Rhyno, Titus O'Neil, etc so also keep that in mind) I just have this sinking feeling that Ember is not being a reliable narrator, especially if they offered her a coaching position at the end and gave up on her as a performer.

[@AMaidenlessRunt]

@@2Good2BeTrue45 yeah shes exaggerating. I kinda noticed that too lol. Yeah wwe who's been releasing wrestlers due to budget cuts suddenly offered her a 5x pay raise. What's really frightens me is the comments bunch of weirdos believing everything they hear.

[@kasheemstephens4546]

@@2Good2BeTrue45 All them women u named outside of Charlotte ember way better than Becky an looks better than her too. An for Ronda please she sucks ass which suprises me alot her being a former UFC fighter.

[@Big_Mamoose]

@@2Good2BeTrue45 not all wrestlers even on NXT make the same finances. She probably was offered 5x her pay. I'm taking whatever you said as a grain of salt. She's turned down good money. No reason to lie about it

[@miserjonesakamaestropirouette]

They would have paid that a few months, kept her off TV to devalue her, then cut her. She's wiser than even she knows.

[@robh3ro816]

Tbh, that’s exactly why I would’ve taken the money. Massive pay raise to be off TV like 6-7 months to maybe lose once or twice on TV and then get cut anyway? Then go do my passion work with way more in the pocket.

[@GeekExtremist]

@@robh3ro816 What I was thinking too. Depending on how long the contract was for. If it was 5 years, I'd understand not taking it on the off chance you get stuck in WWEPurgatory like JTG did and you lose 5 years when you want to be in the ring. But if it was for 1 or 2 years, maybe even 3, yeah I would have taken it and just used that off time to continue working out and get into great shape in and out of the ring, and keep building your brand on social media. That'd increase your chance that WWE remembers you and uses you or at the very least you're in banger shape and ready to go once released/contract ends.

[@davidh884]

Aew women's division is worse than wwe. Also if she got that 5x contract, Vince would have put her on tv more because she cost a lot. He wouldn't give her a contract just to lower the value and cut her. That sounds stupid. If he wanted to do that he would've gave her 2x the contract and not a 5x contract

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

@@robh3ro816 People like you never know what its like, she wants to wrestle and perform on TV not sit backstage doing nothing. She too talented for that.

[@craven4bmore709]

@@BiG-JuPO1O1 People like them? What kind of people are they?

[@NBA_Dunk]

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

[@rdtbrik1161]

$ wasn't guaranteed they would have cut her in 90 days like they do everyone else

[@DreamChasersInc]

You have to wonder how miserable she was to look at making 5x what she was, to make enough to change her life, and say that isn't enough to justify what the money comes with Everybody's got a price, and even that wasn't enough to put up with what the suits had in mind

[@heroinabuser5980]

Nah she’s just a dumb fucking person, she wants to be some phony ass dungeons and dragons character, she’s a sports entertainer cunt, glad she can’t call herself a wrestler anymore

[@BrokeWorks]

I must have had a pretty blessed life, bcuz out of all my most hated job, there is not one that I wouldn’t have stayed at for a 5x raise and I don’t personally know anyone else who wouldn’t decide to keep the job they hate for a 5x raise

[@Jamal2504]

Look at Jon Moxley aka Dean Ambrose. He was in the same boat. He was so miserable and WWE was offering him so much money that he refused to look at the contract to make sure he wasn't tempted to resign.

[@heroinabuser5980]

@@Jamal2504 he was also getting boatloads elsewhere, wwe doesn’t pay a lot compared to other promotions unless ur Brock

[@BrokeWorks]

@@Jamal2504 eh but moxley was a decorated champion who could re-sign with WWE whenever he choose to. ember moon didn't put in as much time with the company as moxley and for that reason I doubt they'd ever want her back.

[@Bakutalk]

Five time? Five time? Five time? Five time? Five times the money!???

[@Rheisler1475]

can you dig that

[@embee.]

I see what you did there. Slick.

[@Spike4787]

Now can you dig that….SUCKAAA

[@deontebelladonna6486]

@@Rheisler1475SUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rabbijoe316]

You didn't post this. ... Tell me you did NOT just post this...

[@shanedawndusk3290]

The main thing is that she knows what WWE’s scheming deal is. She’s smart and I respect that.

[@PrlytheWn]

Terry Funk just commented. “I should’ve took the money”

[@num1Jaysta]

Terry Funk retired 89 times

[@Thumper17]

"People are going to call me stupid." *Terry Funk intensifies.*

[@leoh1191]

You all have to remember your boss is Vince McMahon...imagine staying at your job and hating every minute of it.. Just for money

[@Shadow_Gamer12012]

I would, but I also wouldn't hate working for Vince McMahon

[@kevinvila9760]

@@Shadow_Gamer12012 They act like They have worked for Vince and know what it’s like. Some People say good things about Him who have worked for Him, others not, We don’t know who’s right lolz

[@kevinvila9760]

@@Shadow_Gamer12012 *Lol*

[@lordroyaltee]

I thought Vince already sold the comapny

[@leoh1191]

@@lordroyaltee huh??? Nope

[@engelberthumpindick]

You gotta watch what you do for money if you're sacrificing something else in the process. I respect the people who go for their passion over the money.

[@chrismarthaller1032]

I've taken jobs that made me incredibly unhappy cause the money was good. After several medical issues arising due to many factors but mostly stress/hate for my job, I quit and found a new job. The money isn't as good at times but I'm a MILLION times happier and no amount of money could bring this feeling

[@SKTV1991]

There’s definitely some shit going down in the “E” if they have household names turning down huge paydays

[@meldrickedwards1892]

Whatever you say.

[@reckszkingzactivitiesrkat.4134]

Standards right there ✅

[@sharinej1324]

Totally respect Ember for following her heart 💜

[@PilloTheStar]

I'm gonna miss seeing ember moon in wwe, she's SO COOL. Hopefully I can see her wrestle somewhere else where she'll be happier.

[@kingjaven13]

Never you did right, never compromise your life and soul , happiness. You do what you do for love and passion ❤️. Never fold for money

[@johnytwotimes4072]

She probably would have made that money for a few months and 90 days just ask The Good Brothers. I loved Ember the first time I saw her on NXT she has so much talent I hope she is happy and is passionate about wrestling again ❤️

[@markheckman2196]

There is a big difference between them and her, she's young and there old. And when they resigned wwe was just trying to keep people out of aew. Then they watched it a realized in there heads aew wasn't competition.

[@kennythetrend3688]

@@markheckman2196 Actually, the pandemic was a big reason to why they released the Good Brothers because "Budget Cuts". AJ Styles was pissed about it.

[@jebadeebus5576]

Damn lol if she only waited .

[@stujohn6569]

She was waiting for a while to sign too.

[@1nc0rr1g1bl3]

I respect a whole lot of people who do this.

[@kingoceanblu4445]

If I were a GM or owner of a wrestling league. Ember Moon would be the one I would have pushed to the moon. I absolutely love her flying stunner Finisher and her look

[@KingsleyandMarcoCrew]

What she said is so true!!! Money is important but it does heal you from diseases. Some people have a lot of money but are miserable.

[@mtv61483]

You are absolutely right money cannot buy you happiness but it can' buy you comfortability as long as you are wise with it

[@GeekExtremist]

Comfortability that leads to happiness when you can take whatever job you want to be happy because you no longer have to worry about money. Depending on how long the contract was for. If it was 5 years, I'd understand not taking it on the off chance you get stuck in WWEPurgatory like JTG did and you lose 5 years when you want to be in the ring. But if it was for 1 or 2 years, maybe even 3, yeah I would have taken it and just used that off time to continue working out and get into great shape in and out of the ring, and keep building your brand on social media. That'd increase your chance that WWE remembers you and uses you or at the very least you're in banger shape and ready to go once released/contract ends and you no longer have to worry about money.

[@ojsimpson.]

Genuinely shocked they'd offer ember that much with her not ranking very high in terms of importance

[@OdinSmilesRavensLaugh72051]

Because they knew she would bring the draw elsewhere that's the whole vince McMahon ideology, lock away the things that scare you

[@leovilla5358]

@@OdinSmilesRavensLaugh72051 she don't draw. All the people released haven't drawn anything. Literally the same hardcore wrestling dorks watch every week but they haven't drawn in any new fans. It's the same people watching all this "pro" wrestling and y'all think y'alls Fandom is growing. Please stop being delusional.

[@carlsmith2225]

I find it quite the coincidence tht almost every WWE star tht has gotten released in the past 4 to six years all say they was offered all this $ before they were released but decided 2 leave it on the table..if WWE is offering you life changing $ then y in the hell would they keep u off TV u would think if they valued u tht much 2 offer u that much $ they feel u can bring in more $ for them don't think they would say here's a boat load of $ now sit home while we figure some then out with ur character

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

Good on her. You can't buy someone's self-worth and self-belief.

[@sergiohtx9600]

Shieeet I'll happily sit in catering for that amount of money 😂😂

[@legacy8171]

That's because you value money over happiness which is why society sucks today.

[@xxjaime562xx]

No it's probably because he's not a whiny little girl

[@legacy8171]

@@xxjaime562xx Knowing your worth isn't being "whinny" but I guess in todays society it is. Ignorance has become the Norm....sad🤦🏿‍♂️🕊️✌️

[@xxjaime562xx]

@@legacy8171 most people dont get to be involved in a business they love. More than half the world also lives on less that $3 a day. To have the opportunity to work for the WWE and make more money than the vast majority of the world is a huge privilege. These millennial 1st worlders are just spoiled privileged cry babys.

[@legacy8171]

@@xxjaime562xx I saw your mini novel but anyway bro Money isn't everything, and when we die it damn sure won't mean anything so just because someone chose to not do something you would for money doesn't make them "Crybabies" you people need to relearn what's truly important.

[@flanaj2]

I worked at the MOD and told them I was leaving due to stress, so they threw money at me. I quit and worked minimum wage at a bar. Felt amazing to be free.

[@Jason0800]

Mad respect for following your heart but anyone who says money can't buy happiness has never been truly broke

[@Wavyfc]

I agree with Amber Moon🌙 somethings you do for the love and passion not for money💰💯 big thumbs up for #AmberMoon

[@mikereal4098]

*Ember Moon

[@miltoncoles7571]

Integrity, morals and standards and putting God first is more PRICELESS than doing something strange for the money. SALUTE TO AMBER MOON!!!!

[@johnathanphillips1556]

Wow, you know how bad a company has to suck when an employee is offered 5x their current pay and they still decide to leave?

[@lobozozo1367]

Great interview, I dont think shes stupid, I adore her for that. Love her

[@bagsul1221]

*MJF entered the chat ...

[@user-gh6zh6dx7m]

Why was he offered contract before?

[@isaiasrodriguez1093]

@@user-gh6zh6dx7m he said he’d leave AEW if sm1 offers more money

[@Mr.Perry33]

@@isaiasrodriguez1093 He’s Jewish so it doesn’t surprise me

[@getbn6547]

Braun Strowman: "STOP BEING POOR!"

[@jamesjohnson8544]

I’ve heard Braun say stupid things 😂😂

[@starfish69420]

Nobody would call you stupid for saying money don't buy u happiness ...only people who never had money have that mentality

[@streettoughgeneral8981]

I've always had respect for Ember but now I have even more respect her she loves the passion and the tradition of this business she's not a sellout like so many of the superstars of today she is not only beautiful but she's loyal so much respect for this pro

[@rleonardgreen78]

Now she's over in AEW doing nothing of value.

[@TheKdzy]

I understand we’re she is coming from u know sometimes it’s not about money it’s about doing what u love

[@JB-kf2zs]

It’s crazy that people are leaving & turning down WWE not for money but for the genuine love they have for wrestling & the fun they get from doing it

[@MentalWisdom]

I hate when people leave a company and just shit on it after like they didn't feed u and give u a opportunity when u started smh. AEW is not it either when it comes to booking

[@RomulanStar]

She's also so fucking marketable and talented she will see that "life changing money" in no time at all.

[@d100h]

If someone turns down a 5x pay increase, that company is doing something wrong.

[@carlosalvarado5729]

For others who had been in that similar situation will definitely understand this.

[@Imgonnapuke1]

Every time we say we respect someone for getting a bag when there are potentially more creatively fulfilling chances, we gotta do the same when the opposite happens. Would love to see what Athena does next

[@jamesmainstream3112]

Half the people in these comments: "You go, gurl! I wouldn't do that shit for money! Happiness is everything!" Those same people: "Welcome to Taco Bell, can I take your order?"

[@darrellwilliams1714]

How do you know they don't like working at taco bell?

[@DcVlogs-qf2nl]

One of the greatest nxt women superstar in history

[@Anonymoose0523]

She's a damn fool. You get the big money first then after you're already rich is the time you can stand tall on your convictions.

[@coolcebolla]

Shows what kind of talent Athena is

[@ADSplay101]

Yall have to remember. Gallows and Anderson was offered 750k a year a piece just to stop them from going to other promotions, just for them to get released anyways. So Ember made the right choice.

[@recoomedabest9970]

That whole situation was scummy as hell from the WWE. This is definitely a different situation though, at worse they would have kept her for 7 months or so and then let her go with her making that much. At best, since they have her locked in, they would try to push her in other ways and it all works out. Woman’s division in WWE is vastly better then anywhere else right now, so this is just idk

[@bball.playbook]

If it was a guaranteed 5 times "life changing money" 1-4yr contract, do it. Consider it like a 4 year investment to do whatever you want for the next 5-10yrs after and save for retirement. But she bet on herself and hopefully it leads to bigger and better things. That usually doesn't happen twice for 99.9% of the people

[@chrismarthaller1032]

You'll understand one day when you're stuck at a company that you aren't happy with. One that makes you miserable.

[@bball.playbook]

@@chrismarthaller1032 different schools of thinking maybe from culture or family dynamic. I think I've always had the long term security as a priority. I'd leave if it was a 5 dollar increase, but a 5x salary increase without doing anything illegal or against my morals? Erase all my debt and make some investments 😀

[@Spideysenses67]

I agree, just because you agree to stay doesn't mean staying forever. If it was really 5x her pay then she would have so much financial freedom later in down the line. That being said 4 years is a lot of time to stay in a job you hate, moreover you need to factor in that she's a wrestler and thus has a limited window for which she will be athletically able to perform, so again 4 years worth a lot more to a wrestler than someone working a regular job.

[@reybat4969]

When you don’t have a 401k or health insurance you have to suck it up because you will never be ever to retire.

[@frankchongszehong]

Frankly speaking they underused amber but instead push charlotte flair and even brought back ronda despite her injuries

[@sarmad5919]

Respect

[@DrSpoculus]

Imagine being so unable to detach yourself from your character that u turn down a 5x raise

[@pandahat2483]

As an old saying goes "All Money Isn't Good Money" If you are not happy and very adamant about what you do Money doesn't mean shit.True Happyness is priceless 😉.

[@meldrickedwards1892]

Fuck off with self righteous b.s.

[@evanf9554]

Good for you Queen for standing up for yourself

[@Sassssky]

This never happened lol. She failed on the main roster so was 5x the money to job on nxt? Lmao no.

[@Hanson032]

Fr lol. Unless she was getting paid 10k a year and was offered 50, it wouldn’t make financial or logical sense to 5x her pay

[@rangelo8908]

I call BS as well. She was nothing special. 5x? Come on

[@kennythetrend3688]

@@rangelo8908 Women barely make 100k in WWE. I can believe she was making 50 k and they offered her 250k. Back in 2018, Sin Cara was making $750,000. And currently, Mustafa Ali makes $300,000. So I can believe they offered her around $250,000 to be a trainer. Basically pocket change for them.

[@rangelo8908]

@@kennythetrend3688 Your numbers make sense but I call bullshit. She 's not all that. She doesn't draw

[@kennythetrend3688]

@@rangelo8908 Doesn't matter if you think that. What matters is what the promotors think. Cause did anyone think "The Prototype" John Cena would have been the next Rock or Hogan? Hell nah, same with "Stunning Steve Austin" and "Rocky Maivia".

[@MikeBesk]

Get the lie detector.

[@ninjazer0534]

It’s more about passion and love I did a few Indy wrestling shows on my home state and wrestling in front of 10-25 people at the end I didn’t want the money, I just loved to wrestle

[@ZiggyGamma]

My initial reaction was WHAT. But it only takes a quick second to realize that the money sometimes isn't worth it. Especially in this career where you're always fighting against time. Even if the money is good you lose the time you can't get back and the years in your career.

[@JoeyMartz]

Good for her being in a position where she can turn down that kind of money. Kudos, girl. Stay fierce. CVV you're good at what you do. Kudos to you, sir.

[@darshangasque3711]

The crazy part was that Ember Moon was suppose to be where Asuka was. I support her for not resigning. We may not know the future but if she had of stayed, who would have known if she would have been in a bigger role.

[@jaywallace907]

Some things u don’t do for money exactly right ur heart should be in what u do

[@mylesbohannon5987]

Honestly 5x money is nice if its guaranteed but she still couldve gotten released at anytime like Braun did after he just re signed

[@nickcrim6735]

All the E stans need fo watch this one over and over again

[@jarmaineburkett2123]

It’s paid off for her and she deserves all that money and more

[@unrealtalks7242]

I was offered a job promotion at my last job and I quit almost right after I was offered, not just once but several times.. sometimes you can feel your heart isn’t in it anymore. For me it was I wanted to go back to school for something else.. and now I am ❤️❤️ I hope Ember finds a wrestling company that makes her enjoy what she’s passionate about again or that she finds a new passion in life

[@lalt1987]

These desicions are always very difficult and to be honest theres no right or wrong choice. Right now Im regretting a desicion that I made 3 y ago where I chose "happiness" over money. That happinness lasted for about a year. I have learn that Happinness is a state of mind but money can also give you peace of mind which is also part of happiness.

[@derekjordan2421]

She's not a sellout. Most smarks would look down on her for not taking the money but here's 2 questions? What do we all watch? What do they do to entertain us? The answer is her passion

[@lupussolitarus536]

Good for her, do what makes you happy. Money doesn't always solve everything, not if you want to excell as a performer.

[@kingkade2581]

I don’t think WWE offered her anything. I think the problem was she wasn’t being put over and she wanted out. Now she’s in AEW working stiff matches and injuring women. Which I kind of feel like when her contract is near to being up with them they’re not going to sign her back.

[@arthur-destefano429]

100% agree Ember Money does not make you happy. You have to be passionate about what you do

[@DragonoidBerserker1]

“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business”. - Henry Ford

[@ApolloTheLeader]

Some of yall saying you don't have morals without even realizing it

[@chris33pa]

You do what is right for your health and no amount of money can make you happy

[@zxtreme31]

Moon/Athena should do what ever she wants, but I wonder if she realized that probably they weren’t giving her the investment in terms of storylines that she wanted because she wasn’t signed long term. Why would wwe invest in someone whose contract was soon to expire ?

[@williamocean4723]

Salute to her 💯 money can't buy happiness and let's not forget WWE doesn't offer guaranteed money ( unless you're Hogan)so might not have gotten it anyway

[@The_Real_Izzy]

A factor also could be if they are offering a ton more of money. A push would follow leading to happiness.

[@KingofNewark]

I see why WWE no longer wants to sign indie darlings. They are always miserable when in the system and now WWE just wants college athletes.

[@madbart214yomother7]

So they can control every aspect of the character from top to bottom so when they leave, they can trash them and then undo all the work they put into them. Alot of the ex stars had a following before going there and WWE is just the jumping off point. The indie darlings get the bag and then get out the door with a slightly bigger name. The college athletes are usually given everything along their way in life and are too stupid to see what they are walking into because they don't know shit about the pro wrestling business. Just another body to put through the ringer for money in the WWE corporate eyes.

[@RomaroBrandon]

5x how much she was probably the most a woman who isn't Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Bayley, or Ronda Rousey could make in WWE around that time and it's probably still not as much as the women I had named.

[@junkscorpion7011]

Yo thats a respectful decision and she's totally right.

[@Dragoon1809]

Here’s the thing about WWE contracts that’s some people seem to forget: they are not guarantee contracts. It’s not like the NFL, MLB, NHL, or NBA where the teams in those organizations have to either buy out your contract or trade you to another team they will take on that contract. If WWE wants to let you go on short notice/trim the fat due to budget cuts, they can do so in a heartbeat while also making you set up for 90 days or noncompete clause. So whenever you hear a WWE superstar offered a lot of money to resign, there’s a very good chance of them release you a month or so from then because they don’t wanna pay them.

[@g.o.a.t.8168]

I only agree with u saying that it's a non guarantee contract but other than that What kind of logic is that? Why would they offer someone loads of money & release them after a month? Why offer somebody loads of money when u can just fire them? A boss is not going to offer his/her employee loads of money to stay if they don't see any value on that employee

[@Dragoon1809]

@@g.o.a.t.8168 apparently it’s a Mr. McMahon tactic.

[@g.o.a.t.8168]

@@Dragoon1809 What would Vince gain by using that tactic?

[@itsjustian8484]

Massive amount of respect for this lady. She is truly something else. ❤️

[@510t-mac]

Athena is one of the all times goats 🐐

[@PittheadX]

So good of her to not resign. She got the face for a radio and not tv.

[@user-yi2bf9hy9h]

I miss you so much God bless you

[@happydays9613]

I think she did the right move. If you hate somewhere or begin hate what your doing, it is time to move on, no matter the ££££££££ because staying can make your health dip to the point of no return. Glad she made the right decision for her.

[@lesliehunter8052]

Probably would have been part of their yearly cuts of she resigned. She was good on NXT but the main roster didn't book her well.

[@solascripturaPR1517]

Shout out to FTR for also not taking the money. Kenny Omega, for sticking to his guns (unlike Sting); and The Young Bucks.

[@Romanj28]

I would’ve stayed until my contract was up and see if they want to lowball me on my next contract or not

[@mcmastertube]

Good on her for being true to who she is. Much respect!

[@shanedawndusk3290]

There should be a lot of things we do for passion and love