Joe Gacy Hints at Possible AEW Move After WWE Release as Former Wyatt Sicks Member Begins New Chapter

Joe Gacy has hinted that an AEW move remains possible following his WWE release, but the former Wyatt Sicks member is not limiting his options. After becoming a free agent, Gacy quickly returned to the independent wrestling scene, suggesting that his immediate priority is getting back into the ring rather than sitting around waiting for a phone call from a major promotion.

Gacy’s comments arrive after the Wyatt Sicks’ WWE run came to an end in April 2026. The faction, which had made an extraordinary debut in June 2024, eventually struggled to maintain the same level of momentum and was released from the company nearly two years later.

Now, with the former members free to explore new opportunities, speculation about AEW has naturally intensified. Gacy is particularly interesting because his unconventional character work, willingness to embrace darker themes and experience in faction-based storytelling could potentially fit several areas of AEW’s roster.

However, Gacy has not announced that he is joining AEW. His comments were notably open-ended. Rather than naming AEW as his preferred destination, he explained that he wants to find the right opportunity and is prepared to work independently while waiting for his next major move.

Joe Gacy Says He Is Open to Becoming All Elite

During an appearance on Wombreezy, Gacy was asked whether he planned to become “All Elite,” a phrase commonly associated with signing for AEW.

His response stopped short of confirming negotiations or a future contract, but it clearly left the door open.

Gacy explained that he wanted to return to wrestling as quickly as possible after becoming a free agent. Instead of waiting for a major company to contact him, he chose to begin working on the independent circuit.

That approach says a lot about where Gacy currently stands professionally.

He is not treating free agency as an extended vacation. He is treating it as an opportunity to rebuild momentum and demonstrate that he remains capable of being a valuable performer for a major wrestling company.

Most importantly, Gacy emphasized that he does not have his sights locked on one particular promotion.

That means AEW is one possible destination, not a confirmed one.

Why AEW Could Be an Interesting Fit for Joe Gacy

There are several reasons AEW could make sense for Gacy if the two sides eventually reach an agreement.

First, AEW has historically provided considerable creative freedom to wrestlers with distinctive personalities. Gacy’s character is not built around conventional wrestling archetypes, and his strengths are often found in presentation, physical storytelling and unpredictable character work.

Second, AEW has a deep faction culture.

Gacy has extensive experience working within a group, and that experience could immediately become useful if the company decided to place him alongside an existing faction or create a new alliance around him.

Third, AEW’s roster contains several performers who have established themselves through independent wrestling. Gacy’s return to that environment could allow him to reconnect with the wrestling style and audience that helped shape his earlier career.

None of this means an AEW deal is imminent. But from a creative standpoint, there is a logical argument for why the promotion could be interested.

The Wyatt Sicks Story Did Not Go as Planned

The Wyatt Sicks arrived in WWE with enormous anticipation.

The faction debuted in June 2024 in a presentation designed to immediately establish them as something different from a conventional wrestling group. Their eerie visual identity and connection to Bray Wyatt’s legacy made their arrival one of the most heavily discussed faction debuts of that period.

However, maintaining that level of interest over an extended period proved difficult.

After the initial excitement faded, the faction struggled to occupy the same central position in WWE programming. Storyline momentum slowed, individual members had fewer opportunities to develop independently, and the group ultimately reached the end of its WWE run in April 2026.

For Gacy, the experience nevertheless provided valuable exposure on one of professional wrestling’s biggest stages.

That experience could now become an important asset as he enters the next phase of his career.

Joe Gacy Returned to Wrestling in July

Following his release, Gacy did not remain inactive for long.

He returned to the ring in July, marking his first wrestling appearance since leaving WWE in April.

The quick return is significant because momentum can disappear rapidly in professional wrestling, particularly for wrestlers who rely heavily on character presentation.

By returning to competition quickly, Gacy has ensured that fans continue seeing him as an active wrestler rather than simply a former WWE performer waiting for his next contract.

That can also strengthen his negotiating position.

A wrestler who is already working regularly can demonstrate his current value directly, rather than relying solely on previous television appearances.

Gacy Did Not Want to Wait for a Major Promotion

One of the most revealing parts of Gacy’s comments was his explanation of why he returned to independent wrestling.

He essentially rejected the idea of sitting around and waiting for a major promotion to make the next move.

That mentality could be important to his post-WWE career.

The independent circuit allows wrestlers to experiment, rebuild their confidence and develop new material without the restrictions that can come with a major television contract.

For Gacy specifically, it also creates an opportunity to show that he can operate outside the Wyatt Sicks environment.

That distinction matters.

If AEW or another major company eventually signs him, the promotion will likely want to know what Joe Gacy can offer as an individual rather than simply what he represented as part of a faction.

Joe Gacy Reveals How He Learned About His WWE Release

Gacy also provided a surprisingly personal account of how he found out that his WWE run was over.

During an appearance on INSIGHT, he explained that he had received a call from a number associated with Stanford. He initially did not know whether the call would bring positive or negative news.

After taking a shower, he returned to his phone and contacted the other members of the group through their group chat.

Gacy asked whether anyone else had received a phone call.

The response confirmed what he suspected.

Another member acknowledged receiving a call, and Gacy realized that the group had likely received the same news.

The story illustrates how abruptly major roster changes can happen in professional wrestling. For performers, a company’s decision can instantly change their career plans, forcing them to consider new promotions, independent bookings and completely different creative directions.

The End of the Wyatt Sicks Does Not Mean the End of Its Members

One important distinction should be made when discussing the group’s release: the end of the Wyatt Sicks as a WWE faction does not mean the end of the careers of its individual members.

Wrestlers can often become more valuable after leaving a major promotion because they gain the opportunity to redefine themselves.

Gacy is now in that position.

He can continue using elements of his established character, completely reinvent himself or develop a hybrid presentation that carries lessons from his WWE run without being tied to it.

That creative freedom could ultimately become one of the biggest advantages of his current free-agent status.

Could Joe Gacy Join Another AEW Faction?

If AEW eventually signs Gacy, faction warfare would be one of the easiest ways to introduce him.

AEW’s television environment frequently revolves around alliances, rivalries between groups and multi-person matches. Gacy could therefore be introduced without immediately requiring a singles championship program.

A faction-based debut would also allow AEW to test how audiences respond to his presentation.

However, there is another option that could be even more interesting: keeping Gacy independent within AEW programming.

Instead of immediately attaching him to another group, AEW could present him as an unpredictable wildcard who does not fully trust anyone.

That would allow his character to interact with multiple parts of the roster before the company eventually decides whether he belongs in a permanent alliance.

Joe Gacy Could Benefit From a Fresh Start

Gacy’s WWE run will inevitably remain part of his résumé, but his next chapter does not have to revolve around the Wyatt Sicks.

A fresh start could actually highlight his strengths more effectively.

His ability to deliver unusual promos and inhabit unconventional characters gives him options that many wrestlers do not have. The independent circuit can help him explore those qualities before he commits to another major promotion.

This could also make him more valuable to AEW if the company eventually decides to make an offer.

Rather than arriving immediately after a WWE release with the same presentation, Gacy could arrive with a refined character and a stronger sense of what he wants to accomplish.

AEW vs. the Independent Scene: What Makes More Sense for Gacy?

At the moment, the hybrid approach appears to be the most consistent with Gacy’s own comments. He is already wrestling independently while remaining open to a future major-company opportunity.

What an AEW Debut Could Look Like

If Gacy eventually signs with AEW, the company has several potential ways to introduce him.

The simplest would be a surprise appearance during an AEW television match, allowing his arrival to generate immediate discussion.

Another possibility would be a gradual build through independent appearances followed by an AEW debut once his character has been established outside the promotion.

The second approach could be particularly effective because it would give fans time to see what Gacy looks like without the Wyatt Sicks label.

There is also an opportunity for AEW to connect his past and future without relying on a direct continuation of his WWE character. His experience with dark storytelling could be acknowledged while his new presentation moves in a different direction.

The Biggest Question Is What Joe Gacy Wants to Become Next

Ultimately, the most important factor may not be which company signs Gacy but what kind of wrestler he wants to become after WWE.

His comments suggest that he is keeping his options open.

That is a sensible strategy for a free agent with established major-promotion experience.

Rather than publicly committing himself to one destination, Gacy can focus on wrestling, improving his presentation and allowing different opportunities to develop.

If AEW comes calling, he can evaluate that offer alongside other possibilities. If it does not, his independent schedule gives him another route to build momentum.

What Gacy’s Free Agency Means for the Former Wyatt Sicks

Gacy’s situation could also influence how fans view the futures of the other former Wyatt Sicks members.

Because the faction developed such a strong identity, audiences naturally wonder whether the members could reunite elsewhere. However, the more interesting possibility may be seeing each wrestler establish an individual identity before any potential reunion.

If multiple members eventually appear in different promotions, the former faction’s legacy could continue indirectly across the wrestling industry.

For Gacy, that means his next move will likely be watched closely regardless of where he eventually lands.

Conclusion

Joe Gacy has not confirmed an AEW signing, but he has made it clear that joining the promotion is not outside the realm of possibility. Following his WWE release, the former Wyatt Sicks member chose to return to independent wrestling rather than wait for a major company to contact him.

That decision gives him valuable freedom at a pivotal point in his career. He can experiment with his character, remain active and evaluate offers from AEW or other major promotions from a stronger position.

AEW could make sense because of its faction-heavy storytelling, deep roster and willingness to feature unconventional personalities. But Gacy’s own comments indicate that he is not limiting himself to one destination.

The former Wyatt Sicks member’s next chapter is therefore genuinely open-ended. An AEW debut could eventually happen, but for now, Gacy appears more interested in controlling his own momentum than waiting for someone else to decide where his career goes next.