Fabian Aichner Opens Up on WWE vs. TNA: ‘Walking on Eggshells’ vs. a More Relaxed Environment

Fabian Aichner has been candid about how differently he feels working in TNA Wrestling compared to his time in WWE, and the contrast he paints is striking.

In a recent interview, the Austrian powerhouse described his WWE tenure as feeling like walking on eggshells — a tense environment that made it harder to simply enjoy the work. TNA, by contrast, has been a breath of fresh air. “It feels more relaxing,” Aichner said. “I feel like that’s why I can enjoy it more. Every time you have fun…” — the implication being that a looser, more comfortable atmosphere directly translates to better performances and a healthier mindset.

Aichner spent several years in WWE, most notably as one half of the tag team Imperium alongside Marcel Barthel, where the two held the NXT Tag Team Championships. After his WWE release, he eventually landed in TNA, where he has been working to rebuild his profile on a global stage.

His comments touch on something wrestlers across multiple generations have referenced — the idea that the corporate size and scrutiny of WWE can create pressure that, for some performers, stifles the joy of the craft. TNA’s comparatively smaller footprint and different management culture appear to have given Aichner the room he felt he was missing.

For a performer of his caliber — physically imposing and technically sound — a relaxed environment where he can express himself freely could go a long way toward reminding audiences just how good he can be.