James Storm’s return to the WWE was nixed due to the pandemic.
Last week, it was reported by Fightful that the 43-year-old was a free agent. In fact, Storm’s contract expired back in February, though the pandemic certainly changed things for the “Cowboy”. Speaking to Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet, the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion revealed that talks with WWE actually started back in January:
“I get home and I see I got an email from Canyon Ceman saying, ‘Hey, we’re interested. Paul Heyman wants me to reach out and bring you to Raw,” Storm said. “I was like, ‘Wait … I think Bobby is going to Raw. Hmmm. This could be interesting.’ Ya know?”
Storm also stated during the interview that Billy Corgan and Dave Lagana let him out of his NWA contract early by not exercising a rollover clause in his deal, as the duo were trying to help the veteran get into the company as well.
“I told them I would work the weekend of WrestleMania shows with Eli [Drake] to drop the NWA belts to whoever they wanted to drop it to. Just go out on good terms. Good business, ya know? Then that show got cancelled for the NWA, and then it kept snowballing.”
Storm does state that a deal was reached between both him and WWE, “We agreed on all the terms,” he added. “It was signed.”
Back in April, WWE released a huge set of talents and backstage personalities, with Storm’s debut being affected as well as the former NWA star was told that his return would have to be put on hold until further notice. The last time that Storm spoke to WWE officials was back in July.
This has been the first time that Storm has acknowledged his departure from NWA. Nick Aldis recently confirmed the return of NWA Powerrr, though the NWA World Heavyweight Champion never confirmed the time and date for the show’s comeback. Once the promotion starts running live events again, then officials will surely address the NWA World Tag Team title situation as Storm is still listed as the current title holder with Eli Drake.