Road Dogg Claims He Wasn’t Hired By AEW in 2022 Due To His Political Beliefs

Aug 19, 2026

WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James claimed on Twitter earlier today that he wasn’t hired by AEW in 2022 due to his political and core beliefs.

James’ statement was made following a back-and-forth argument he had with the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer over James’ comments that the AEW World Tag Team Championship was below Austin and Colten Gunn’s status in the company.

I will say this. For all the people who championed him coming to AEW, saying the tag titles are "beneath" Austin & Colten Gunn shows an lack of understanding of AEW tag titles. They weren't beneath Omega & Page, nor Christian & Copeland, nor FTR, nor Young Bucks. Saying tag… https://t.co/BR3mBZBepY
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) August 18, 2026

In response to another person on Twitter, James made the statement about him being turned away from a potential job with AEW due to his claims that he was punished by AEW CEO Tony Khan for his political and core beliefs. James stated that he didn’t donate to or vote for Trump but Tony’s father did.

“Actually, I was turned away because of my political/ core beliefs That happened IN AMERICA 🇺🇸 I didn’t donate to or vote for Trump, BUT his old man did, why was I punished ?”

Actually, I was turned away because of my political/ core beliefs
That happened IN AMERICA 🇺🇸
I didn’t donate to or vote for Trump, BUT his old man did, why was I punished ?
— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) August 19, 2026

This led to wrestling reporter David Bixenspan asking James to explain which led to James responding back claiming that Bixenspan had caused his opportunity with AEW to get cancelled.

“This is the guy that screenshot my social media Post (I am conservative) and then used it to get my opportunity canceled. I feel differently than a lot of you. Im not sorry for who I am and how I was raised.”

This is the guy that screenshot my social media Post (I am conservative) and then used it to get my opportunity canceled.
I feel differently than a lot of you. Im not sorry for who I am and how I was raised https://t.co/9m19tQUkL8
— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) August 19, 2026

Bixenspan responded back stating that he had no idea what James was talking about and how he had defended him when others were criticizing TNA Wrestling for talking to him for a potential creative job following his departure from WWE earlier this year.

“What are you talking about? I had no idea you were talking to AEW. And I defended you against people who were criticizing TNA for talking to you as someone too ingrained in WWE. Because I felt you deserved a chance to show what you could do creatively outside of the WWE system.”

James responded back stating “My bad David I guess there’s another David B out there doing this.”