Former All Elite Wrestling star Marko Stunt, an original member of the roster from its 2019 debut, has opened up about his tenure with the company and his eventual departure in 2022. Stunt, who has since retired from the ring, spoke candidly about his own shortcomings during his run, admitting that he adopted a “poor mindset” and believes he “got too comfortable” in his position. His honest self-assessment provides a rare look at a performer taking full responsibility for their career trajectory, a mature perspective he says he has gained since his time in the spotlight.
During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the 29-year-old reflected on his time in the popular Jurassic Express faction alongside “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Luchasaurus.
“I think there’s a few things that went into it. You know, I’ve grown up a lot since then. I’m almost 30 now. I was in my early twenties when all that first started and I was young, dumb and excited to be living my dream. I made some decisions that didn’t go over too well. A couple times I kind of treated it like, ‘Okay. I’m here, I’m good.’ And that was a terrible mindset to have, to be real honest with you. I absolutely loved being there. I’ve got friends for life from there now, obviously with Jack and Luchasaurus and Sammy Guevara, and all the vlog crew that we were a part of and everything. But I think plans just started to change. More people started to come in. And you know, new toys are more fun than the toys that you got a few years ago in my opinion. And there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s how things go.”
While Stunt acknowledged the changing creative direction, he ultimately placed the responsibility for his exit on his own shoulders.
“I’m not bitter at all… I do think there were some things I could have done differently to maybe preserve my spot a little better. Again, I didn’t, I don’t think I handled it as maturely as I should have. Yeah. I would, I feel like I have to blame it on myself. I guess I wanna say I got too comfortable… I did get very, very comfortable there. It felt like a family there and so I just kind of [took it for granted]. Absolutely. That’s probably the best way to put it.”
Now retired from wrestling, Stunt (real name Noah Nelms) has embarked on a new career path as a car salesman at Homer Skelton Ford, a job he landed after a brief stint waiting tables. He made a successful one-off return to AEW in July 2024 to answer an open challenge from his former partner, Jack Perry, for the TNT Championship.
H/T to Wrestling Inc for the transcription
