WWE: Big E Issues Statement Following His In-Ring Retirement Announcement, Backstage Update on WWE Comp Ticket Situation for Talents, Backstage Update on Royce Keys’ WWE Signing & Correction on AEW’s Offer Amount

Feb 8, 2026

Big E Issues Statement Following His In-Ring Retirement Announcement

As noted before, Big E has been out of action for WWE since March of 2022 due to a broken neck injury. Big E revealed in an interview with Compas On The Beat this past week that he is currently retired from wrestling and is focusing on other stuff. During his time away from the ring, Big E has been working as a panelist for WWE’s pre and post-shows for PLE events.

Big E recently issued a statement on Twitter reflecting on his wrestling career and thanking everyone who has followed and supported him.

“I entered the pro wrestling industry at age 23 with an injury history that included a Torn Left ACL, Torn Right ACL, Torn Left Pec, and a Broken Right Patella. At 39, I’m well aware, that I will one day have to pay the piper. I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel great. I don’t battle daily pain. I’m able to function normally and healthfully. I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful career I stumbled into. I pray for all of my fellow athletes and performers who have not had the same good fortune. A sincere thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow my in-ring career. It was an immeasurable gift to get to perform for you all.”

I entered the pro wrestling industry at age 23 with an injury history that included a Torn Left ACL, Torn Right ACL, Torn Left Pec, and a Broken Right Patella. At 39, I’m well aware, that I will one day have to pay the piper. I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel…
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) February 6, 2026

Backstage Update on WWE Comp Ticket Situation for Talents

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi revealed in an episode of his Off The Top podcast that he has no longer been able to receive comp tickets for WWE shows in the TKO era and his issues with how it has become very difficult for fans to buy affordable tickets to shows due to the price increases caused by WWE’s parent company. Besides Rikishi, WWE talent have also had a difficult time in recent years getting comp tickets for shows due to TKO’s policies.

Fightful Select reported that the issue with comp tickets within WWE has once again become a talking point backstage.

It was reported that several talents spoken to stated that they have echoed similar frustrations regarding the current ticket policy in the company.

It was also reported that WWE has implemented a far more restrictive system in recent years that has significantly limited the number of comp tickets available for their talents. This new system now includes talent being given the option to purchase tickets through a preferential process rather than receiving them outright under the old system. It was also reported that this change is directly tied to demand and due to live event tickets consistently selling at a higher amount, WWE has opted to scale back on comp tickets across the board as a result.

It was also reported that at least one top WWE star has encouraged their fellow wrestlers who are unhappy with the situation to address it at the negotiating table for new deals. Several talents reportedly have now worked comp ticket provisions directly into their contracts. Many within WWE reportedly now expect it to become a fairly standard request moving forward for contract terms.

Backstage Update on Royce Keys’ WWE Signing & Correction on AEW’s Offer Amount

As noted before, former AEW talent Powerhouse Hobbs made his official debut for WWE as a surprise entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble event at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble 2026 event in Saudi Arabia. Hobbs came out under his new ring name of Royce Keys for his career in WWE.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the current belief is that Keys had committed to going to WWE for a long while due to those in WWE had been expecting him to come to their company for several months in the lead up to his AEW deal expiring.

In regards to AEW’s offer to Keys, Meltzer issued a correction stating that it was not close to what Bryan Danielson got to jump from WWE to join AEW but it still was a very strong five-year contract offer. Meltzer reported that this offer for Keys was not a top ten level offer in AEW for some comparisons.