AEW has parted ways with talents as the company begins the new year. According to Fightful Select, Matt Taven, Mercedes Martinez, and Alex Abrahantes are no longer with the promotion. The report indicates that the departures are due to their contracts expiring rather than releases. Fans first noticed these names were removed from the AEW website today.
Matt Taven, a cornerstone of ROH for over a decade, officially joined AEW in October 2022 alongside his longtime tag team partner, Mike Bennett. During his most recent run, Taven was a key member of the Undisputed Kingdom faction and captured the ROH World Tag Team Championship with Bennett for a third time. Taven is a Grand Slam Champion in ROH, having held the World, Television, Tag Team, and Six-Man Tag Team titles during his tenure. His departure raises questions about the future of The Kingdom and Mike Bennett’s status moving forward.
Mercedes Martinez also exits the company after a tenure that began with her return on the December 29, 2021, episode of Dynamite. A veteran with over two decades of experience, Martinez notably captured the ROH Women’s World Championship during her time with the Tony Khan-led promotions, defeating Willow Nightingale at Supercard of Honor XV to unify the interim and lineal titles. She held the championship until losing it to Athena at Final Battle in December 2022.
Alex Abrahantes, who initially joined AEW in 2019 as a member of the Spanish announce team, became a fixture on television as a manager. He gained significant popularity managing the Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix), often translating their promos and accompanying them to the ring for their World Tag Team Championship victory at All Out 2021. Following the Lucha Brothers’ move away from the title picture, Abrahantes transitioned to managing Komander.
