Mike Bailey almost quit wrestling.
The Canadian AEW star recently spoke to TMZ for an interview before this Sunday’s Redemption PPV emanating from his home country. He talked about things such as his former tag team partner Kevin Knight betraying him, the philosophy behind 5-star matches, and more.
During the talk, the 36-year-old also recalled a dark time in his career. Mike Bailey detailed having a breakout year in the US indie scene in 2015, getting chances with promotions like PWG, Evolve and CZW. Just as he was gaining momentum, however, Bailey was banned from entering the US for 5 years:
And then I was stopped at the border and banned from the US for five years because I didn’t have the work visa. Boring details, but the story is what matters. I couldn’t come to the US for five years.
Maybe This Isn’t Going To Work Out: Mike Bailey
Mike Bailey mentioned how the visa ban meant that he could not get any opportunities at the wrestling companies who were ready to pay big money to talents. Knowing that he won’t be able to sign any such deal for years because of his ban, the wrestling veteran had contemplated quitting the business altogether:
So after seeing the path that wrestlers were taking and hoping to get a shot at the major companies at the time, being told, ‘Yeah, those companies that are offering big money contracts, you’re not gonna be able to work for those for five years.’ I had a very, very brief moment where I was like, ‘Hmm, maybe this isn’t gonna work out after all.’
But then I remembered I had already been doing this for 10 years, and it’s not like those first 10 years had been very profitable at all. I was a professional wrestler, and I did professional wrestling because I loved it. And I was gonna keep doing it no matter what.
The wrestling star thankfully did not quit the industry. He started working with DDT Pro-Wrestling in Japan in 2016, before signing a deal with TNA Wrestling in October 2021. After the end of a successful stint with TNA, he was signed by AEW in February 2025.
