AOP’s Rezar Reflects on WWE Frustrations, Confirms Boxing Return After Release – Former WWE Tag Team stars The Authors of Pain (AOP) have shed light on their turbulent time with WWE, with Rezar (Gzim Selmani) revealing frustrations that began the moment they joined the main roster. In a candid interview with Metro.co.uk, Rezar reflected on their split from Paul Ellering, the decision to pair them with Drake Maverick, and their short-lived return as part of The Final Testament.
Dominant in NXT under Ellering’s management, AOP captured the NXT Tag Team Championship before being called up in April 2018. On their first day, however, they were told Ellering would no longer accompany them. Rezar admitted the decision was so disheartening that he and Akam nearly quit on the spot.
“That was the day that we were deciding to stop with WWE,” Rezar said. “The first day at the main roster, they were telling us, ‘You have to leave Paul Ellering.’ And me and my tag team partner Akam… he said, ‘Yo, let’s just give our resignation letter and just leave.’” He explained that it was Ellering himself who convinced them to stay, telling them, “Try it out. I’ve helped you guys to get there, so much hard work, we can always get the band back together later.”
Rezar further claimed Vince McMahon made the call, alleging the former chairman didn’t want older managers on TV. “He didn’t like older people than him or people his age on the show. He wanted to be the only elderly person who would be in the spotlight at the time,” he stated.
Their main roster run paired them with Drake Maverick in a storyline that leaned toward comedy. While praising Maverick as a “creative genius,” Rezar admitted the partnership never felt right. “We were never happy on the main roster. We couldn’t do our thing, we felt like a piece was missing.” He also confirmed there were discussions about splitting AOP, but he was uninterested in singles competition.
After being released in 2020, AOP returned in 2024 as part of The Final Testament alongside Karrion Kross, Scarlett, and Ellering. However, the run ended with disappointment. Rezar praised Kross as a future WWE Champion but expressed frustration with how the group was handled. “Kross has all the talent in the world to become a WWE Champion and be the face of WWE, and they just didn’t give it to him. It’s f***ing crazy.”
He also noted that the group’s creative direction did not align with what Triple H had initially promised. “He was very excited at the beginning and made a lot of promises,” Rezar said, though he emphasized he holds no personal ill will toward Levesque.
Released again in February 2025, Rezar is now returning to his combat sports background, focusing on a boxing career and recently calling out former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall. Despite his shift back to fighting, he hasn’t ruled out another wrestling return, confirming that he, Akam, and Ellering remain in close contact.
AOP’s Rezar Reflects on WWE Frustrations, Confirms Boxing Return After Release
