WWE star Donovan Dijak reveals he is leaving the company after being 'stonewalled' over new contract

By Eric Blum

Published: | Updated:

WWE star Donovan DIjak revealed Thursday he is leaving the company after being 'stonewalled' over a new contract.

Dijak had been signed with the WWE since 2017 and was called up to the company's main roster for a second time in April. 

During his time in WWE, Dijak wrestled under three ring names, Dominik Dijakovic, T-Bar, and Dijak. 


His first two-plus years in WWE's developmental territory, NXT, was under the Dijakovic moniker. Upon being called up to the main roster as part of the failed Retribution stable, his name changed to T-Bar. For the final two years of his stint with WWE, he went by only his given last name. 

Dijak released a lengthy statement about his departure from WWE on social media, and signed it 'Donovan Dijak', a signal that he is returning to his original independent wrestling name. 

Donovan Dijak will be a free agent after leaving the WWE this week after seven years

Donovan Dijak will be a free agent after leaving the WWE this week after seven years

Dijak posted a lengthy statement to social media about his departure from the company

Dijak posted a lengthy statement to social media about his departure from the company

'Here's the truth, WWE never negotiated with me. We attempted to negotiate and they stonewalled us,' Dijak said. 'They never made me a single offer, then they informed me they would not renew my contract at the eleventh hour.'

'(Two) months ago, I was in one of the best matches in NXT history, and a top match of WrestleMania weekend,' Dijak added, referencing his triple-threat contest with Oba Femi and Josh Briggs. 

'On that day, a top executive in WWE told me I was "crushing it". I was slated to feud for the NXT title but I got called up to RAW instead,' Dijak continued. 'I consistently outperformed everyone's expectations, especially throughout 2023 and early 2024.'

'I never complained about anything or was difficult to work with. I tirelessly pitched ideas to anyone who would listen, as recently as the day before I was notified,' Dijak said. 'I never missed one booking, and I was injured (one) time in (seven) years for (three) months.' 

'I'm thankful, disappointed, but also excited. This has lit a fire under me to relentlessly prove myself to the world. All I ever wanted was a fair shot and now I have the opportunity to go out and take it. That's enough talk, now it's time to Do or Dijak,' he concluded. 

In his post on X, Dijak tagged the official accounts of All Elite Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and TNA. 

Dijak also tagged Tony Khan, AEW's President and CEO, as well as Tommy Dreamer, who is the owner and promoter of the House of Hardcore promotion. 

Before signing with WWE, Dijak was viewed as one of the independent scenes best wrestlers with amazing potential. Now, he's a free agent again after seven years away.  

WWE