Tye Dillinger detailed the six-month process of how he was able to get out of his WWE contract on Edge and Christian's podcast.

Fans who follow WWE closely know the stories of Sasha Banks, Luke Harper, Tyler Breeze, Rusev and Lana, Lio Rush, The Revival and others who have either hinted at or asked for their releases from the company. All have been denied. Some have had time tacked onto their contracts.

One man who was successful where others were not was Tye Dillinger.

Dillinger, now known as Shawn Spears, spoke recently with Edge and Christina on the E&C’s Pod Of Awesomeness. He explained the near-6-month process of finally being allowed to leave WWE.

** Thanks to Fightful for the transcription

Spears said:

The decision had been in my mind…it was a six-month process. I got injured in October but before that, I was going to ask for a couple weeks off to clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do. But then I got injured, so that gave me three months to think. I changed my look, I changed my gear, and I pitched half a dozen ideas.”

Spears said after speaking with Vince McMahon, he felt he hurt his chances of getting a push but also waited like WWE asked him to in the hopes things would improve. When they didn't, he became frustrated but never went public with his frustrations and simply told WWE that his heart wasn't in it. WWE could also tell he wasn't giving it his all.

"They could see it and it wasn’t fair to them. It was time to go. I was probably late in leaving, actually."

What This Means

There is a way for WWE Superstars to get out of the deals if they want it bad enough. Most aren't going about it the right way.

Spears was permitted to leave WWE once both sides realized it was best. They really had no use for him and he wasn't giving it his all. It wasn't because he didn't want to or was pouting about it, but that he was disheartened.

Dillinger is proof that if you are respectful, take the right approach and give it time, there is a way out.

Next: Smart Marks of Wrestling Podcast - Ep. 8 - WWE Wild Card Rule