Real1 says AEW had no interest, plans to stay on the indie circuit

Former WWE performer Eric Arndt, now known as Real1, said this week that he contacted All Elite Wrestling about working for the company but was told there was no interest, a development he disclosed during a podcast appearance as he promotes upcoming independent dates. The remark underscores his continued presence on the independent circuit and suggests a reunion with his former WWE tag partner, Big Bill, is unlikely in the near term.

Real1 said he reached out to AEW but "they had no interest," adding that rejection no longer affects him. "I have nothing to lose," he said on the podcast. He framed his current approach to wrestling as driven by creative freedom and opportunity rather than the mainstream company pathway. He is currently active with 4th Rope Wrestling, where he holds the Flyweight Championship, and also carries the ACW National Championship. In July he appeared on TNA’s Slammiversary preshow and has wrestled several independent and ACW events.

The former Enzo Amore rose to prominence in WWE as one half of the Enzo and Cass tag team, which split when Cass turned on him during a June 2017 episode of Raw. Arndt recalled that run and early NXT pay in a separate...