There was some speculation on social media that the OC members Luke Gallow and Karl Anderson had requested their release last week and that’s why they were among the first announced. A few weeks ago they started back up their old podcast, Talk’n Shop, which is cohosted by Rocky Romero. Romero is currently signed to a non-exclusive contract with NJPW and the podcast isn’t affiliated with WWE in any way. Some found the timing to be too coincidental.
Most superstars require permission before working side ventures with wrestlers from another promotion, but it has been happening more frequently lately. Tyler Breeze currently runs a wrestling school with AEW wrestler Shawn Spears, and the duo also team up with Baron “King” Corbin on Twitch as “The Sweetz.” The timing of the Talk’n Shop podcast was likely just a coincidence.
Dave Meltzer of f4wonline.com also believes that the OC were offered contracts too big to want released from. They were both making $750k a year a piece and were a lot more susceptible towards staying as a result.
On a related note, the Talk’n Shop Podcast topped Apple charts this week. They reached as high as #3.
(credit: f4wonline.com, The Sweetz Live, Talk’n Shop)