Donovan Dijak has announced that his time with Major League Wrestling has come to an end.
In a lengthy statement shared Monday, Dijak said he was leaving MLW “after much thought and consideration” and confirmed that he is once again a free agent. The announcement closes a notable chapter in the post-WWE portion of his career, one that included championship success, a high-profile alliance with familiar names, and another opportunity for Dijak to establish himself as a major force outside the WWE system.
The separation appears to be on good terms. Dijak used his statement to thank MLW promoter Court Bauer and reflect positively on what he accomplished in the company. While he did not disclose the specific reasons for his departure or identify a next full-time destination, Dijak made it clear that he intends to remain active across the independent wrestling landscape.
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That immediately places added attention on what comes next for one of wrestling’s more recognizable free agents. Dijak’s departure also continues a period of roster movement for MLW, following the recent exits of Lady Frost and Shotzi Blackheart. Shotzi has since joined TNA.
For more background on this topic, read Randy Orton Vows WWE Return After Crown Jewel Defeat to Cody Rhodes.
A Productive Run in Major League Wrestling
Dijak found a prominent role in MLW after his WWE departure in 2024. His run was highlighted by his association with Josh Bishop and Baron Corbin, who competed in MLW as Bishop Dyer. Together, the group operated under the Skyscrapers name, giving Dijak an imposing unit built around size, physicality, and the history shared by its members.
The Skyscrapers’ biggest accomplishment came when Dijak and Bishop captured the MLW World Tag Team Championships. The title win gave Dijak an important championship moment during a period in which he was reestablishing his identity away from WWE. It was particularly meaningful considering the contrast with his previous seven-year WWE run, where he competed in multiple forms and on multiple brands without winning a championship.
Dijak singled out both Bauer and his MLW experiences in his farewell remarks, suggesting that the departure is not the result of a public falling-out. In an industry where departures can often become defined by contract disputes or creative frustrations, the tone of his message instead emphasized appreciation and forward momentum.
His decision does mean that the Skyscrapers era, at least in its MLW form, has reached a turning point. Corbin remains under the WWE umbrella, and Dijak gave no indication that an immediate reunion with his former partner is in the works. The two men have history from both their WWE-connected careers and their time together in MLW, but Dijak’s stated plans point toward a broader independent schedule rather than a return to WWE.
Independent Dates Remain Part of the Plan
Rather than revealing an exclusive signing elsewhere, Dijak specifically expressed enthusiasm about continuing his work with a variety of independent promotions. He named Juggalo Championship Wrestling and PROGRESS among the companies he expects to continue working with.
His relationship with PROGRESS is especially noteworthy because Dijak currently holds the Proteus Championship. The title is traditionally tied to the concept of transformation and evolution, making it an intriguing part of the bigger picture as Dijak prepares to change his presentation. Although he did not outline future title defenses or an exact schedule, remaining active with PROGRESS keeps a major international independent platform on his calendar.
Juggalo Championship Wrestling also offers Dijak another distinct environment in which to compete. With its own audience, identity, and presentation style, the promotion represents the kind of varied independent booking that can help a performer avoid being locked into one creative lane. Dijak’s comments indicate that this flexibility is a priority as he enters the next phase of his career.
Being a free agent does not necessarily mean a wrestler is without direction. For an established performer with Dijak’s name recognition and experience, it can mean the ability to work a selective schedule, pursue championship opportunities in different markets, and introduce creative ideas without being tied to a single company’s television structure. His announcement strongly suggests he sees this moment as an opportunity rather than a pause.
Dijak Teases an “Extraordinarily Unique” New Presentation
The most attention-grabbing detail of Dijak’s statement may be what he said about the future. Looking ahead to 2027, Dijak revealed that he will be “debuting a brand new and extraordinarily unique character presentation really soon.”
He did not provide further specifics about the character, including whether it will involve a new name, different look, altered wrestling style, or a major shift in his established personality. That lack of detail leaves significant room for speculation, but the wording makes clear that this is intended to be more than a routine refresh.
Dijak has repeatedly shown a willingness to adapt throughout his career. He first developed his reputation on the Northeastern independent scene and in Ring of Honor during the mid-2010s, where his size and athletic ability made him stand out. His style has long blended the power expected from a wrestler of his frame with movement and striking that allow him to work effectively against a wide range of opponents.
That adaptability was tested and expanded in WWE. After signing in 2017, Dijak worked in NXT before taking on a drastically different identity as T-BAR in Retribution. The faction became one of the most discussed acts of its era, and the T-BAR name remains closely associated with his WWE tenure. Later, he returned to competing as Dijak and became a familiar presence in NXT, delivering hard-hitting matches and presenting a more direct version of the character many fans had known before WWE.
The promise of another reinvention is therefore consistent with a career that has already included substantial changes. What makes this announcement different is the level of freedom available to him as an independent talent. Dijak can introduce the new presentation across multiple promotions rather than rolling it out in one controlled environment. That could allow the character to evolve organically as he works before different crowds in the United States and abroad.
From Ring of Honor Prospect to WWE Veteran
Dijak’s résumé gives him a strong foundation for this next transition. Before WWE, he gained traction through Northeastern independent wrestling and appearances in Ring of Honor. He entered WWE in 2017 and spent the next seven years with the promotion, a lengthy tenure that included NXT, main-roster exposure, and the Retribution period.
Despite not winning a WWE championship, Dijak remained a highly visible performer during different stages of the company’s programming. His work in NXT helped demonstrate his range as both a powerhouse and a wrestler capable of keeping pace with faster opponents. The absence of a title run did not prevent him from building a following that has continued to support him through his move back into the independent scene.
MLW became a significant landing spot after his WWE exit, allowing him to immediately step into a prominent role and claim tag team gold. Now, less than two years after that WWE departure, he is moving again with a clear message: he is available, active, and preparing something new.
What Dijak’s Departure Means Going Forward
For MLW, Dijak’s exit removes an experienced wrestler who brought name value, credibility, and a championship history to the roster. His role in the Skyscrapers also connected MLW to the wider conversation around former WWE talent finding new opportunities outside the company. As the promotion moves forward following several recent roster changes, it will have to continue building around the talent still in place and whatever new arrivals emerge.
For Dijak, the immediate future appears deliberately open-ended. He has not announced a permanent promotional home, and there is no confirmation of any WWE return. Instead, his focus is on the independent dates already ahead of him, his current PROGRESS Proteus Championship reign, and the mystery surrounding his promised new character.
That combination should ensure that Dijak remains one of the more closely watched names on the free-agent market. He has championship experience from MLW, a substantial WWE background, established independent credibility, and now a creative reset waiting in the wings. The next version of Donovan Dijak has not yet been fully revealed, but his departure from MLW has made one point unmistakable: he intends for 2027 to begin with a major change.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.