By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Former TNA wrestler Petey Williams says he was told several different reasons why he was released from TNA. Petey says the only reason that makes sense to him is TNA trying to save money.

"What I really think it was, I was the highest-paid wrestler in the X Division," Petey said in an interview with Hit the Ropes radio. "It was a monetary issue to release Petey and hire three new X Division wrestlers and build them up for a lower wage." Petey also detailed the other reasons he was told he was released.

"I heard different things from different people in management. I heard 'we're freshening up the roster.' I'm thinking I've only been on TV for five years while some of other wrestlers have been on TV for 15, 20 years," Petey said with a laugh. "I also heard 'We have nothing for you,' which is a nice way of saying we're not going to re-sign you."

Petey said he's thought over his release in his head for a while and it doesn't make sense to him. He says the fan support was there, TNA couldn't keep him as a heel because fans just wanted to cheer him, and he was in highly-rated TV segments.

"You see all the support coming in ... I really don't know why I was released. I'm not on drugs. I passed drug tests," Petey said. "They even told me at one point, 'you can't be a heel anymore because people refuse to boo you.' That speaks volumes too. 'Okay, people want to see you on TV.' I really think it had to be a money issue."

Petey said he's had limited conversation with WWE, but he didn't sound confident he will be offered a deal with WWE. Petey said he's hoping to work full-time for Ring of Honor after receiving a nice reception during two recent shows following his TNA release.

"ROH fans have been great. I was actually pretty worried. ROH fans are pretty hardcore and they don't like things that are WWE or TNA," Petey said. "I got a really, really warm reception in Detroit and Chicago. I could really do something long-term in ROH."

Petey, who just returned from his second tour of Japan for the All-Japan promotion, also talked about working with Scott Steiner doing the Little Petey Pump storyline. He says he was "close" to Steiner during the program and developed a friendship with him, which he says is rare for Steiner who has a reputation for being close to himself only.

"We were really close outside of the ring. Steiner doesn't really have any that-close-friends in wrestling. He was always really cool with me," Petey said. "When we were on the road together, I was one of the only guys he would call."

Petey talked mainly about his Canadian Destroyer finishing move in the first two parts of the interview. Petey said Sonjay Dutt was uncomfortable taking the move initially, but then he wanted to do it every night because of the pop from the crowd. He credited Matt Sydal (now Evan Bourne in WWE) for being the first wrestler to take the move when it was just an idea in his head.

Link: Listen to the complete interview with Petey Williams on Hit the Ropes radio.

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