Bronson Reed, now known as JONAH, took a surprising turn in his career after being released by WWE in 2021. Following his departure, he explored opportunities with Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he reportedly built a strong reputation. This unexpected detour ultimately led to his return to WWE in December, a move that has been met with widespread excitement.
Upon reflecting on his release, Reed revealed that he initially reacted with anger, feeling that he had much untapped potential. This anger fueled him to push himself to be the best he could be, a drive that ultimately contributed to his return. Reed’s journey during his hiatus was marked by a renewed sense of purpose and success, which he attributed to his chip on his shoulder.
Bronson Reed (Via WWE/Twitter)
As the North American Champion at the time of his release, Reed was disappointed that he did not get to capitalize on his momentum, saying “I was the North American Champion, only just lost that championship [before my release], so to me I was just angry that I didn’t get to do more with the WWE, which then put a chip on my shoulder and I went out there and did whatever I could to be the best that I could be which obviously got me seen to come back.” This determination has paid off, with Reed now a regular fixture on Monday Night RAW and set to participate in the Elimination Chamber match for the United States Championship.
Reed’s story serves as a testament to the complexities of being released by a professional wrestling company, and how it can serve as a catalyst for growth and success. As he navigates his new role on RAW, fans will be eager to see how Reed continues to perform and whether his time away from WWE has indeed been beneficial for his career.
