The wrestling world is no stranger to dramatic exits, but the recent departures of Steph De Lander and Joey Janela from PRODUCE Wrestling feel like a seismic shift in the industry’s undercurrents. These aren’t just contractual endings—they’re statements. When two high-profile names publicly sever ties with a promotion, it’s not just about personal disagreements. It’s a reflection of deeper tensions between creative autonomy and corporate control. Personally, I think this signals a growing frustration among wrestlers who feel their individual narratives are being drowned out by the noise of a promotion’s branding machine. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it mirrors broader trends in entertainment: artists demanding ownership of their stories, even if it means burning bridges along the way.
Let’s start with Joey Janela. His exit was announced with the kind of finality that screams ‘no going back.’ But here’s what many overlook: Janela’s departure isn’t just about him. It’s about the kind of creative freedom he represented. For years, he was a wildcard—someone who thrived on unpredictability, both in and out of the ring. Now, with his exit, PRODUCE Wrestling loses not just a performer, but a symbol of rebellion against the status quo. What this really suggests is that promotions are increasingly struggling to balance the chaos of individual talent with the need for cohesive programming. If you take a step back and think about it, how many wrestling companies have tried to mold eccentric personalities into marketable brands only to see them burn out? Janela’s exit is a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks talent can be tamed.
Then there’s Steph De Lander. Her announcement came with a similar air of finality, but the context is different. She’s not just leaving a promotion—she’s walking away from a chapter of her career that was defined by collaboration. And here’s where things get interesting: Matt Cardona’s recent comments about feeling held back by her in the indies have resurfaced. To most fans, this reads like a petty feud, but I see it as something more. It’s a glimpse into the fragile dynamics of partnerships in wrestling. What many people don’t realize is that when wrestlers form tag teams or long-term alliances, they’re not just sharing a ring—they’re sharing a brand. When one person’s trajectory changes, it forces the other to recalibrate. This raises a deeper question: Can anyone truly thrive in wrestling without sacrificing parts of their identity to the collective?
The implications of these exits go beyond the individuals involved. PRODUCE Wrestling now faces a critical juncture. Are they going to double down on their current model, which seems to prioritize brand consistency over individual flair? Or will they pivot, embracing the chaos that made Janela and De Lander stand out in the first place? A detail that I find especially interesting is how both wrestlers left without burning their bridges entirely. They didn’t trash the promotion publicly—they just walked away. That restraint says volumes. It suggests they’re not just leaving out of spite, but because they’ve reached a point where their goals no longer align. What this really highlights is the evolving psychology of wrestlers today: they’re less interested in loyalty to a company and more focused on loyalty to their own vision.
Looking ahead, I suspect we’ll see more of this. The wrestling industry is at a crossroads, where the old guard’s emphasis on stability is clashing with a new generation’s hunger for reinvention. The departure of Janela and De Lander isn’t just about them—it’s about the future of a business that’s been slow to adapt. In my opinion, this is the beginning of a trend where wrestlers will increasingly view promotions as temporary platforms rather than lifelong partnerships. What makes this particularly compelling is how it challenges the traditional power structures in wrestling. For decades, promotions have controlled the narrative, but now, the stars are starting to reclaim their stories. This isn’t just about PRODUCE Wrestling—it’s about the entire industry redefining what it means to be a wrestler in the 21st century.
