AEW President Tony Khan has officially confirmed that Tay Melo will be granted her release from the company following a recent request to step away from professional wrestling.
Speaking during the AEW Redemption media call, Khan addressed the growing speculation surrounding Melo’s status and pushed back on reports that claimed she had been seeking her release for more than a year.
According to Khan, while there was some truth to the rumors that Melo wanted out of AEW, the timeline that had been circulating online was inaccurate.
Release Request Came After June Collision Match
Khan revealed that the conversation took place shortly after the June 6 edition of AEW Collision.
That night, Melo teamed with Anna Jay in a losing effort against Divine Dominion’s Lena Kross and Megan Bayne. Following the match, Melo approached Khan to discuss her future with the company.
Rather than expressing interest in joining another wrestling promotion, Khan said Melo informed him that she wanted to step away from wrestling altogether.
According to Khan, Melo told him that she still had positive feelings toward AEW and the people within the organization, but felt it was time to move on from both the company and the wrestling business.
Khan Denies Long-Term Tension
The AEW President made it clear that Melo’s request was not the result of an ongoing dispute or prolonged backstage issue.
Khan stated that he was surprised when Melo approached him about leaving and emphasized that the conversation was respectful and cordial. He also noted that he had recently spoken with Melo about the rumors and that she was frustrated by reports suggesting she had been attempting to secure her release since 2025.
According to Khan, there has never been any hostility between the two sides, and he described their working relationship as consistently positive throughout her time with the company.
AEW Has Not Used Melo Since The Request
Khan also addressed claims that AEW had been preventing Melo from leaving.
He explained that since their conversation following Collision, Melo has not been brought back to television or booked for any events. Khan said he had no intention of forcing her to remain with the company and confirmed that her release would be granted.
The announcement brings clarity to months of speculation regarding Melo’s future and officially opens the door for her departure from AEW.
What’s Next For Tay Melo?
While Melo is set to leave AEW, her long-term plans remain uncertain.
Based on Khan’s comments, the former AEW star is not currently seeking opportunities with another wrestling promotion and instead appears focused on stepping away from the industry entirely.
Of course, wrestling retirements and hiatuses often prove temporary, and it remains to be seen whether Melo eventually returns to the ring down the road.
For now, however, her priority appears to be moving on from professional wrestling, ending a run in AEW that included memorable partnerships, championship pursuits, and a key role in the promotion’s women’s division.
Khan’s comments provide the clearest picture yet of Melo’s situation, confirming that her departure was a recent decision rather than a long-running conflict and that AEW intends to honor her request to leave the company.
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