WWE Black Wednesday - Talent Releases

[Mr. Nerfect]

None of the releases are really surprising. I’d say maybe Gallows & Anderson, who we’re basically sweeteners for AJ, but I guess them getting run off by Taker in the main event of Mania night one is kind of a farewell.

The agents contained the most “surprises,” but apparently they could be brought back. Planning out matches in this environment might suck, and there could be geographical issues with a Lance Storm, or health issues/personal time requested for guys like Finlay or Kurt Angle. It might be somewhat “voluntary.” Take one for the team now and be brought back when things are back to running. But they could also just be cycling some guys out that aren’t working in a role or whatever. Lance Storm has been doing awesome work though, so I find that surprising, I guess.

[Sepholio]

Yeah Gallows and Anderson caught me off guard too. But the one that shocked me the most is still Rusev. Lana is still there and Rusev is going to be a boon for their competition. Even if they had nothing for Rusev I am surprised they didn't hold onto him anyways like they always do with people.

[Evil Vito]

Rusev, EC3, Lio Rush, The Revival, Mike and Maria all asked for their releases at various points last year.

Gallows and Anderson indicated they were content to let their contracts expire last year before WWE gave them giant contracts and promised them another AJ run.

While the talent who had asked for their releases might not have all have wanted to lose their jobs during a pandemic, it's clear that factored into some of WWE's decisions on who to let go.

[Emperor Smeat]

Someone in Creative apparently forgot Sarah Logan was released and not furloughed since she was originally booked to be on last night's RAW before those plans got scrapped.

Meltzer speculated that despite the releases, WWE might still try and squeeze a few more appearances by those let go during their 90-days no compete clause.

If so, it likely would be with people who haven't hit their downsides yet since PWI reported a few days ago that WWE doesn't actually have to pay talent for those 90 days if a talent already earned their guaranteed downside before the release. Was something that got revealed from The Revival's contract situation earlier.

[Evil Vito]

Apparently WWE's trademark of Erick Rowan has verbiage indicating that the name represents Joseph Ruud (his real name). Normally that verbiage is used only for guys like Karl Anderson, EC3, Eric Young who came to the company with "known" names and provided consent for WWE to trademark it for usage in merch, games, etc but because their names are tied to them specifically, it allows them to keep those names when they leave the company.

Most WWE ring name trademarks have the verbiage saying "this trademark does not represent a specific individual" which effectively blocks the name from being used elsewhere. It's also why for the longest time, everyone got re-named.

Might mean Rowan snuck in at some point when the original trademark lapsed and now he'll get to just keep the name if he wanted.

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently Kendo Kashin thinks his release from WWE as part of last week's cuts had to do more with him recently going public with how the coronavirus was affecting his job at the PC.

Also revealed he currently does not have health insurance due to his release.

Kendo Kashin was among the many cutbacks last Wednesday by WWE and now his future is uncertain. Kashin was signed in August 2019 to be a coach at the Performance Center. Many non-wrestlers were furloughed and not released by WWE, but Kashin's status is unclear.

Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Kashin revealed that he can't go back to Japan but would like to go to the House of Representatives for compensation for his unemployment. Kashin went on to say that he believes his release had to do with a previous article ran by Tokyo Sports where Kashin commented on how the coronavirus had impacted his job.

In the article, Kashin said he was essentially on vacation seven days a week.

Kashin also said he doesn't have health insurance and believed that hand-washing and mask-wearing would stop the spread of the virus. He also discussed the behavior of those in Florida, even mentioning the infamous "Florida Man" joke.
https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kendo-kashin-discusses-why-he-believes-he-was-cut-wwe

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah Gallows and Anderson caught me off guard too. But the one that shocked me the most is still Rusev. Lana is still there and Rusev is going to be a boon for their competition. Even if they had nothing for Rusev I am surprised they didn't hold onto him anyways like they always do with people.

Rusev I had figured to leave anyway. WWE have also seen what AEW did with Brodie Lee. They know Rusev’s personality and probably know he won’t be able to stay away from the bad comedy and will probably go in as a hairdresser or something. Because remember he got the unapproved haircut? Hey...hey...

[XL]

“Asking for your release” doesn’t necessarily mean you want to get released, often it’s a “use me or release me” deal. Definitely in the case of someone like Bennett.

[Mr. Nerfect]

“Asking for your release” doesn’t necessarily mean you want to get released, often it’s a “use me or release me” deal. Definitely in the case of someone like Bennett.

I think that's true, but I think at some point Bennett would have just wanted the fuck out, lol.

[XL]

I watched an interview with him the other day. He basically says he never wanted to go, he wanted to work, and if wanting to work means having to go then...

He said after his request for release “they worked it out”, I’d imagine that was the point that they did the “Who’s Maria’s Baby Daddy?” angle that never got any payoff, and the 24/7 stuff, which eventually fizzled out again. He also said Maia never asked for her release.

But yeah, he’d definitely want out eventually to go work somewhere that actually wanted to use him. Back to ROH or Impact would have been good moves for him. Maybe spots in Japan, though difficult with a young family. He’d be a shoo-in as a Bullet Club guy (if the BC is still going).

[Danny Electric]

Has anyone ever been in the ‘main event’ (night one of WrestleMania last match so classifying this as main event) of WrestleMania and then been released before appearing on TV again?

[Helmsphere]

Lawrence Taylor

[xrodmuc316]

Has anyone ever been in the ‘main event’ (night one of WrestleMania last match so classifying this as main event) of WrestleMania and then been released before appearing on TV again?

Not Mania, but Warrior was fired after being in the main event of Summerslam. That was in 1991 I believe.

[Bad News Gertner]

Sid only made a couple appearances after WM13

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lol I'm not even saying this to be cheeky, but WM is right before softball season.

Also, didn't Sid leave immediately after headlining Wrestlemania 8, probably for the same reason?

[Lock Jaw]

<iframe width="1129" height="635" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTTiQ6K_kbE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bad News Gertner]

My dream match

[Bad News Gertner]

lol I'm not even saying this to be cheeky, but WM is right before softball season.

Also, didn't Sid leave immediately after headlining Wrestlemania 8, probably for the same reason?

I remember he Scorpio, Furnas and Lafon all got into a fairly bad car accident shortly after. Sid of course played it up and the WWF got tired of Sid being Sid

[Lock Jaw]

My dream match

Dunno why, but I thought Sid looked even more badass and "legit" with the age. Just the way he carried himself and was chewing gum the whole time.... dunno, it worked for me, especially compared with the other legends who were coming back, it was like "whoa, this guy could come back right now and I'd buy him as fully legit"

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

But what about WM8 @ Gertner?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Dunno why, but I thought Sid looked even more badass and "legit" with the age. Just the way he carried himself and was chewing gum the whole time.... dunno, it worked for me, especially compared with the other legends who were coming back, it was like "whoa, this guy could come back right now and I'd buy him as fully legit"

He's kept himselfin great shape and he looks grizzled and worn, which only adds to his psychotic leader of the world gimmick. I love Sid.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Sid could have been an incredible draw in the WWF if he wasn't such a fucking Sid. That late 1996 run was the fucking tits.

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on WWE's financial report earlier today, WWE releasing a sizeable portion of their roster and furloughing a lot of staff looks even worse than before.

Still made over $100 million in revenues for the fiscal 1st quarter compared to last year.

Even WWE's dividend ended up being higher than needed if WWE was that desperate to save money for coronavirus reasons. Meltzer mentioned earlier in the week that WWE could have cut it in half and used that saved money to easily pay all the talent they released for at least the next 2 years.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I guess the argument is that WWE has always been pretty ruthless with cutting people, no matter the circumstances. There's a reason they tell people to have other avenues for their career path before getting into wrestling.

Not condoning Vince's actions (I think they're repulsive and that he's repulsive), but these people should know who and what they're dealing with. If they're crying injustice, my sympathies only go so far, since this isn't what I'd call a blindside. Times are tough for everyone right now, but wrestling has proven that it's not the kind of career that's there for you when the chips are down. To think otherwise would show painful levels of naivety.


Even paying people to sit at home wasn't done to "take care of them," but done as a business move to hurt the value of said wrestlers and other companies that could use them. In wrestling, you are nothing more than a commodity, especially in the WWE. It has always been that way and will always be that way.

[Sepholio]

I've seen a lot of the rumor mongers speculating there are some big names going to be released soon. We're talking Roman Reigns, among others. Although in fairness they say its because Roman is going to pull a Rock and go Hollywood. He wasn't the only big name they were talking about though. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I doubt it. Pretty sure the whole point of these cuts was to trim off the people who get stuck in catering while keeping the known talent.

[xrodmuc316]

Yeah I doubt it. Pretty sure the whole point of these cuts was to trim off the people who get stuck in catering while keeping the known talent.

Exactly right, they didn't release anybody who wasn't low card or already on their way out other than Gallows and Anderson.

They got big contracts, probably the most Vince ever paid for a tag team, almost entirely based on AJ wanting to have a real run with them in his faction.

It's still surprising they got released so soon after signing that big contract, but that doesn't mean Vince is gonna release any big names.

Certainly not Roman Reigns. Vince will keep him on payroll the same way he does Rock, Vena, etc. Even is Roman retired today, Vince is gonna keep paying him just to ensure he is always at least attached to WWE.

[XL]

What’s the deal with pay for Anderson & Gallows? Do they get paid through their 90 day no compete? Or do they get the downside of the contract? Or immediate dismissal with no further pay?

[Emperor Smeat]

Most likely get paid the remainder of what was guaranteed considering they signed new contracts last year for 5 years in length.

With the Revival, them not getting paid was more due to both guys being in the last year of their deals and had already hit the guaranteed amount owed to them.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Most likely get paid the remainder of what was guaranteed considering they signed new contracts last year for 5 years in length.

With the Revival, them not getting paid was more due to both guys being in the last year of their deals and had already hit the guaranteed amount owed to them.

I really doubt they're going to get paid the full five years of their deal. WWE always has out clauses and the like.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And I really doubt any big name stars are going. Rusev was probably the biggest, but he's been off TV anyway, which was a good indicator that he had made it pretty clear he was not going to re-sign. The rest of the talent were sadly guys that were the Main Event crew and stuff.

The only "big names" I can actually see being released are Bobby Lashley and Sheamus. Bobby looks great, but he's getting up there in age and it's not like he's going to change the game if he goes to AEW or anything. WWE have survived him being elsewhere in the past. Sheamus has his spinal issues and is probably more likely to take it easy and call it a career if he gets released, come back for shots, do some sort of workout show on the WWE Network down the line, etc. Might try and do some more acting.

MAYBE Jeff Hardy if he's made it clear he wants to go and work with Matt in AEW, because the Hardys aren't really a threat when they are left to their own devices. There's still value in Jeff, but that value is in him being Jeff Hardy in the WWE. They might decide they want it, but they might decide to cut the costs there too, since I'm sure he's making a pretty penny.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ones I could see but would also surprise me, to a degree, are Cesaro, Nakamura and Fandango. Not that Fandango is a big name or anything, but he does the Southpaw Wrestling stuff, which is why I think he survived this round. Cesaro is the sort of guy that you wouldn't want wrestling anywhere else, but if he goes to AEW what is he actually going to do? Join The Dark Order? That's not going to change business. Nakamura seems like a guy they like, but to say that he's gotten tremendously over and is an irreplaceable act in WWE is a bit of hyperbole.

I really don't think they are going to release Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar or anyone like that lol.

[GD]

From his recent posts, it's safe to assume that Noid has a raging hardon for Fandango.

[Emperor Smeat]

I really doubt they're going to get paid the full five years of their deal. WWE always has out clauses and the like.

Think they still would get the guaranteed downside amount remaining since their deals had 4 years left. WWE could pay them less but that would require them to not issue the non-compete clause which they did.

Need to check up on the percentages since I think it got revealed some time ago but think its around a third for the downside so Gallows and Anderson liekly would still be getting a hefty amount back.

[Splaya]

I really doubt they're going to get paid the full five years of their deal. WWE always has out clauses and the like.

Of course, but at the same time, even getting a fraction of what they were owed would be a substantial amount.

There are times when I wish WWE had to say how much they sign someone to, almost how like pro sports leagues did it.


"Randy Orton was signed to a 5 year 12 million dollar deal with an opt out after year 4"

[XL]

There’s got to be something in there that benefits the talent surely?

We’re signing you to an exclusive contact that means you can’t work anywhere else but you’re still an “independent contractor”. We can hold you every day of the contract and extend it if you miss a period of time due to injury caused whilst performing your duties as a non-employee of our business. You do not have the right to end the contract earlier, and if you request to do so we will hold you to the full length of it whilst we try to devalue your worth elsewhere. But, we can end the contract whenever we like without any financial ramifications for us. Oh, and once we’ve done that, you can’t work elsewhere for 90 days.

I get how that *could* be the case as WWE have all the power, but it stinks.

[Emperor Smeat]

Used to be thought that if WWE ever had to go to court over their definition and treatment of "independent contractors", they'd easily lose and open the door for talent to actually be treated as employees. Its why WWE usually caved when someone threatened a lawsuit over this issue like Del Rio did years ago.

That theory took a serious hit when UFC managed to emerge victorious in a legal case last year over the same issue with their talent.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Personally, I think talent that want out should fight it. But I wouldn't sign with the WWE under those initial terms either.

[Emperor Smeat]

Gerald Brisco ended up being among those released according to the Observer.

Also means WWE lost one of their top scouts since he was the guy responsible for grabbing notable talent from the amateur and college wrestling scene.

Gerald Brisco, who has been with WWE since 1984, was the latest name to surface as being released ...

He worked in the office with McMahon and was one of his most trusted advisors, being one of the very few people told ahead of time about the 1997 screwjob on Bret Hart. He was a television character during the Attitude Era and later became the company's top talent scout, through his connections in the amateur wrestling world as a former Oklahoma State wrestler.

Brisco discovered Brock Lesnar as a junior at Minnesota and signed him along with almost every top amateur wrestler of the last 25 years who has come through the company's doors.

[slik]

Cain Velasquez lasted one match in WWE

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WOR: Cain Velasquez gone, Gerald Brisco, RAW, more! <a href="https://t.co/pX4fYTWPI7">https://t.co/pX4fYTWPI7</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cxj3zJzdwW">pic.twitter.com/Cxj3zJzdwW</a></p>&mdash; Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) <a href="https://twitter.com/WONF4W/status/1255054910501969920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[XL]

At least it was a 5 star classic.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Velasquez was really impressive in his initial AAA debut. That budding athleticism and potential upside would've been/was being wasted in wwe. I'm glad he'll get to show back up in Mexico when things get better.

[Evil Vito]

So they ended Kofi’s six month title reign in a ten second squash to set up Brock/Cain, which lasted two minutes, and it was ultimately for nothing.

lol

[Mr. Nerfect]

So they ended Kofi’s six month title reign in a ten second squash to set up Brock/Cain, which lasted two minutes, and it was ultimately for nothing.

lol

I don’t think Kofi vs. Brock was just to set up Cain vs. Brock. They had the match there and dangled it. Brock didn’t need to be the champion for it, and Kofi was really a placeholder champion. Brock was always going to get the belt to drop it to the guy they wanted to knight at Mania.

[drave]

Having Kofi as champ was way more interesting. He seemed 'beatable" and also didn't throw out the same 3 moves every time in a 5 minute shitfest.


Brock is Brock. For me, Brock is boring.

[#1-norm-fan]

I don’t think having a guy who “seems beatable” as world champion is a good thing. Why should anyone care about who wins the title if they constantly drive home the point that you don’t need to be top tier to win it?

[BigCrippyZ]

Think they still would get the guaranteed downside amount remaining since their deals had 4 years left. WWE could pay them less but that would require them to not issue the non-compete clause which they did.

Need to check up on the percentages since I think it got revealed some time ago but think its around a third for the downside so Gallows and Anderson liekly would still be getting a hefty amount back.

They should still get the downside guarantee. Even if WWE didn't enforce or G&A refused to adhere to the 90 day non-compete, then WWE would still be in breach for failing to pay the downside, and theoretically WWE would still owe them the downside guarantee less the value of the non-compete. However, WWE could also argue that the monetary value of the non-compete to WWE is greater than or equal to the downside too and so G&A are also in breach and actually owe WWE money instead or that G&A are owed nothing for WWE's breach. Not a great position either way. Much simpler to just pay them off.

[drave]

I don’t think having a guy who “seems beatable” as world champion is a good thing. Why should anyone care about who wins the title if they constantly drive home the point that you don’t need to be top tier to win it?




I guess it seemed more "interesting" in that it was less predictable maybe? I didn't watch regularly, but the match ups seemed to be more of "Well this guy might actually beat the champ"


vs


"A hundred suplexes, an F5, or 2" and its over. Brock became too boring to me, reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally fast.

[drave]

If it were "real" I can see why someone unbeatable would be ideal. This is scripted, so it doesn't matter does it?

[Lock Jaw]

I was big into the Kofi story, and loved his moment of winning.... but then afterwards it just felt like "oh.... wait. Kofi Kingston is WWE champion and this just seems so... out of place. Like it just doesn't belong with him"

[drave]

It was different, they got scared.

[Lock Jaw]

Shouldn't have won the belt in my opinion.

[Evil Vito]

He definitely should have won the belt. But they quickly turned him into a generic “come out every week and cut the same babyface promo” guy.

Prob gonna happen to Drew before long.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah... I guess he could have won the belt and then actually been booked well.... think he definitely needed to split and distance himself from New Day and that gimmick and look a bit.....

[Sepholio]

I hate Brock as champion. It isn't because of his easily predictable matches or the whole unbeatable schtick though. Its because he was never there. Showing up once every 3 months to squash someone who actually puts in work is just annoying af to me.

I didn't really like Kofi as champ either but knowing he would be there day in and day out defending the title and doing different things made it far more enjoyable than most everything that Lesnar does imo.

[drave]

I hate Brock as champion. It isn't because of his easily predictable matches or the whole unbeatable schtick though. Its because he was never there. Showing up once every 3 months to squash someone who actually puts in work is just annoying af to me.

I didn't really like Kofi as champ either but knowing he would be there day in and day out defending the title and doing different things made it far more enjoyable than most everything that Lesnar does imo.




And even WM title defenses end up being 5 minute finisher, kick out, reversal, other finisher, kick out, finisher, pin.




zzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzZZZZZzzZZzzzZZz

[Evil Vito]

It's frustrating because Brock will absolutely make someone look like a million bucks when he needs to. He sells his ass off for the guys he's trying to help look good. Bryan came off looking amazing for being able to hang with Brock, Balor too to an extent.

But in order for merely hanging with Brock to look like an impressive feat, it necessitates him murdering most of his opponents in minutes if not seconds.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I don’t think having a guy who “seems beatable” as world champion is a good thing. Why should anyone care about who wins the title if they constantly drive home the point that you don’t need to be top tier to win it?

Having a babyface who you can buy is in periland has to workunderneath is valuable. Doesn't mean he's not good or great. But maybe not dominate. Granted I don't know how they booked Kofi but if it as similar to Cena in that the odds were always against him, I think that's fine.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Who has Brock actually made look “bad?” Kofi Kingston? Dean Ambrose? Brock usually has great matches, and the matches that aren’t are there to accentuate his more significant work. He beats Kevin Owens in a couple of minutes so he can go 15 with Daniel Bryan.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

It's very odd that Lesnar has steamrolled the bigger guys you'd think would give him a fight like Joe, Stromam etc but the smaller guys like Styles, Balor and Bryan put him in more peril.

[Emperor Smeat]

Cain Velasquez lasted one match in WWE

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WOR: Cain Velasquez gone, Gerald Brisco, RAW, more! <a href="https://t.co/pX4fYTWPI7">https://t.co/pX4fYTWPI7</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cxj3zJzdwW">pic.twitter.com/Cxj3zJzdwW</a></p>&mdash; Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) <a href="https://twitter.com/WONF4W/status/1255054910501969920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He might have been the worst contract signing since maybe Sin Cara in terms of busts but unlike Cara, it wasn't his fault it happened.

Had he stuck with AAA instead, probably would have developed into a decent talent by now. Instead whatever momentum he had from his AAA debut got squandered by WWE, especially after they decided to strip away everything that had generated interest with wrestling fans.

[Evil Vito]

Curtis Axel has been released.

[Evil Vito]

B-TEAM B-TEAM NO NO NO

[Danny Electric]

It's very odd that Lesnar has steamrolled the bigger guys you'd think would give him a fight like Joe, Stromam etc but the smaller guys like Styles, Balor and Bryan put him in more peril.

On the whole yes, unless your name is Ricochet.

[Danny Electric]

I wonder if they will introduce Bo into The Fiend storyline now,

[XL]

Who’s reporting that? Not on wwe.com

[XL]

They need to rehire Maverick and put him with Seth’s group.

[Danny Electric]

I saw it on Bleacher report

[Danny Electric]

https://mobile.twitter.com/WWE/status/1255930442265567232

[screech]

Curtis Axel has been released.

Damn. Isn't he usually who works out with guys who are coming back from injury? Figured he'd be around forever.

[Vastardikai]

Damn. Isn't he usually who works out with guys who are coming back from injury? Figured he'd be around forever.

In any event, he'd be a decent midcard guy in NWA.

[Bad News Gertner]

R.I.P Rybaxel

[xrodmuc316]

Vince McMahon killed Nancy Argentino. Tamina has a job 4 life.

[Bad News Gertner]

Axel also has one of my favourite themes of all time.

A62BTlXuv9c

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems WWE wants to trim their roster down even more than before since the company is now open to granting releases to anyone who asks with some exceptions. Also trying to cut down even more costs despite them making a ton of money the past fiscal quarter compared to last year.

WWE talents who are looking to be released from their contracts may be able to get those releases as the company is reportedly still looking to make cuts due to tough times brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

It was noted by @Wrestlevotes how multiple sources report that WWE is willing to grant a release to "just about anyone" who makes the request right now.

"Basically if a talent wants out, they can go," wrote WV.

[Evil Vito]

Drew Gulak’s contract has expired and he’s been moved to the Alumni page.

[slik]

wow

[Mr. Nerfect]

I saw that earlier. Having a match with Daniel Bryan on his way out was a nice send-off.

[GD]

Wow! This is official. Very disheartening.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Are you sure his contract expired, because I keep reading released.

[Mr. Nerfect]

As I say that everything changes to not re-signing.

[Droford]

So much for Gulak/Bryan III

[Emperor Smeat]

Guess that's why Bryan requested to work with Gulak recently since he probably knew Gulak wasn't staying and let Gulak have an entertaining storyline on his way out.

[XL]

Oh that sucks.

[Jordan]

He's great. He would've thrived on the pre-Coronoa indy scene. Who knows now?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Not re-signing? In this economy?

[XL]

Probably more along the lines of “not being offered a new contract”.

[XL]

Or they low-balled him.

[Emperor Smeat]

Or they low-balled him.

That's probably more likely since Meltzer mentioned in this week's Observer Newsletter that WWE froze pay raises for their talent even if they were promised one before. Despite them making huge sums of money last fiscal quarter, they still are penny pinching when it comes to talent expenses using the coronavirus as the excuse.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, Gulak could end up back in WWE since talks between the two sides didn't completely end yet.

Some updated notes regarding Drew Gulak. Gulak's contract expired after Friday's show and both sides did not reach a new deal on money. While the belief is that he is gone, it's been hinted to me it's not a dead issue. Gulak I believe is being represented by Barry Bloom in his negotiations.

[RP]

Kevin Owens released!!!!!

[GD]

I don't think so.

[Emperor Smeat]

Add WWE's VP of Television to the growing list of people recently let go by the company.

While the name Michael Mansury isn't one known to most WWE fans, his work likely is as the Vice President of Global Television Production was the director for many WWE TV shows and pay-per-view events.

First reported by PWInsider and later confirmed by Dave Meltzer, Mansury is no longer with the company as of last week after giving his notice several months ago. The reasons for his departure are unknown.

Why this move is significant is that Mansury was seen by some as the eventual replacement for Vince McMahon right hand man and executive VP Kevin Dunn. PWInsider noted that with Mansury and Kerwin Silfies' recent departures, Dunn and Marty Miller, also a WWE director, will be handling the broadcasts.

[Evil Vito]

Nigel McGuinness confirmed to have been among the furloughed workers.

[Emperor Smeat]

Another wave of cuts recently happened except this time it was more pay-based than released-based.

Also WWE's initial hope of bringing back those furloughed in July seem to be less certain now.

Smackdown's lead writer also got released but apparently for a separate reason and not as part of WWE's cutbacks for the coronavirus.

The cost cutting in World Wrestling Entertainment has not ended, PWInsider.com has confirmed.

A number of executives and officials were informed over the last 48 hours that their pay would be reduced going forward due to the company's ongoing efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on their business ...

The company has already furloughed a great percentage of the company across every division as well as cut a number of talents, producers and third-parties who had worked for and with WWE. WWE has noted internally that they hoped those furloughed would return in July, but there is no word whether that timeline remains accurate.

The departure of Smackdown Lead Writer Chris DeJoseph, which we reported on last night, was unconnected to these cutbacks, PWInsider.com is told.

[Destor]

Many of the agent positions will be refilled once they begin touring again. Theyre losing unprecedented ammounts of revenue right now and if they want to survive they have to cut costs until they get the gate back

[Emperor Smeat]

Considering they posted record revenues last fiscal quarter and are still well on pace to post record profits and revenues for this fiscal quarter and year, they didn't need to actually cut any talent or staff costs because of the coronavirus.

Even they admitted the vast bulk of the savings was due to them halting work on their new HQ.

Because their new tv deals are massive, it dwarfs whatever their other departments were making or not making and why they'd still set new all-time records for revenues and profits during the next few fiscal quarters even if they don't hold any more live events this year. If anything, they've been saving more money by scaling back and not holding live events than had they been holding them based on recent years trends.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Many of the agent positions will be refilled once they begin touring again. Theyre losing unprecedented ammounts of revenue right now and if they want to survive they have to cut costs until they get the gate back

You are the worst, lol.

[#1-norm-fan]

I thought Noid was the worst.

#TheInconsistentOne

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I thought Noid was the worst.

#TheInconsistentOne

At least I'm not #TheIncontinentOne.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Meltzer, something recently happened between Vince and former Smackdown lead writer Chris DeJoseph that lead to DeJoseph's sudden release last Friday.

Current rumor was DeJoseph was causing issues behind the scenes and got released due to his highly unprofessional behavior.

[Lock Jaw]

He probably sneezed.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, agents/producers who were not furloughed got hit with around a 20% pay cut as part of WWE's newest cost cutting plans.

Refs also got hit with a similar 20% pay cut.

Meltzer also reported that WWE's talent are pretty much safe from getting hit with pay cuts since their contracts likely would be voided if WWE went that far with the cuts.

[XL]

What is the furlough scheme over there? The government are paying 80% over here.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

According to Meltzer, something recently happened between Vince and former Smackdown lead writer Chris DeJoseph that lead to DeJoseph's sudden release last Friday.

Current rumor was DeJoseph was causing issues behind the scenes and got released due to his highly unprofessional behavior.

Well that's not vague or anything.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh. Well then<br><br>Report: Rob Gronkowski Gets WWE Release <a href="https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX">https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX</a></p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1267690559294115840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Tom Guycott]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh. Well then<br><br>Report: Rob Gronkowski Gets WWE Release <a href="https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX">https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX</a></p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1267690559294115840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

*Ron

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh. Well then<br><br>Report: Rob Gronkowski Gets WWE Release <a href="https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX">https://t.co/tOnH99e1FX</a></p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1267690559294115840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wonder how many people in WWE wished their contracts also included a release clause available on their end. WWE wouldn't be able to get away with artificially freezing contracts if that option was more common for talent.

Him being considered for a possible match at SummerSlam and the next Saudi show probably wasn't going to happen even if there was no coronavirus going around considering those two shows take place during the NFL pre-season and season.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems the relationship between Gronk and WWE wasn't that friendly behind-the-scenes.

Apparently he had a lot of heat within WWE ever since Mania 36 and his initial hesitation to do his planned dive spot during the show.

It was noted that those in the company that they spoke with “Even those with a reputation of being easy, helpful, and good to work with, all had negative things to say about working with Gronk after his WrestleMania fiasco.”

Per the report, there was heat on Gronkowski after his hesitation to do his scheduled spot that put the WrestleMania filming two hours behind schedule. It was mentioned that one top name called Gronk “A F**kin’ clown who we are so much better off without.”

The incident at WrestleMania was originally broken by Fightful, which stated at the time that WWE wanted him to do a spot where he would jump off a platform onto a bunch of WWE stars.

It was reported that Gronk was “terrified” of the dive but Vince McMahon convinced him that it was safe, which took a significant amount of time to do.

[Evil Vito]

Lol so don’t bet on Gronk returning once he retires again, then.

[xrodmuc316]

According to Meltzer, something recently happened between Vince and former Smackdown lead writer Chris DeJoseph that lead to DeJoseph's sudden release last Friday.

Current rumor was DeJoseph was causing issues behind the scenes and got released due to his highly unprofessional behavior.

I heard he kept talking his clothes off in meetings and spraying baby oil everywhere, including on Vince's suits.

https://www.pwmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bigd-vince.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

Imagine being Big Dick Johnson and causing "issues" in the WWE. I've heard he was a cunt to the MLW guys when he was at Lucha Underground. I think he's a guy that the business might just sort of move on from, like Alex Greenfield.

[Vastardikai]

So, I have a few questions.

1. How long has Gronk been training?
2. How high was this platform?
3. How many folks were supposed to catch him?

I ask all this because...
A. Why are they making green rookies take idiotic risks this early in their career?
B. Why are they making a guy who could make them millions of dollars take an unnecessary risk?
C. What would they do if everyone missed? (See Fenix, Rey)
D. Did these fuck baskets learn NOTHING from Owen?

I find Gronk to be an utter twat, and they created a situation where I have to defend the guy. I don't blame him going back to football.

[XL]

https://youtu.be/B4ddjdZBiXY

[XL]

Can’t remember how to embed on mobile.

[Droford]

Can’t remember how to embed on mobile.

Go to desktop mode

[screech]

https://youtu.be/B4ddjdZBiXY

I got you:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B4ddjdZBiXY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Evil Vito]

lol @ that taking 2 hours. I know it's disconcerting to fall backwards but he's barely jumping and there's like a dozen guys there. He'd have to actively try to miss.

Shit I had an acting professor in college who made us do trust falls off of a ladder.

[drave]

Falling?


He SOARED!!!!! Didn't you read the description?????

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

eh, he probably knew he was going back to the NFL by that point and didn't want to hurt himself in the name of some carny circus act.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE is rumored to have offered contract renewals to released Superstars at a fraction of what they were being paid before. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImpactWrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImpactWrestling</a> <a href="https://t.co/jUfipobAkZ">https://t.co/jUfipobAkZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/3dWWbKovaz">pic.twitter.com/3dWWbKovaz</a></p>&mdash; 411 Wrestling (@411wrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/411wrestling/status/1268289187515494407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[drave]

Shitty - but also understandable given the current climate of their business and the live gates not being there.


Revenue is down, but shit man, some of them may not have anywhere else to go....

[Sepholio]

WWE has too many people under contract and they don't use them. They need to let them go elsewhere! THOSE BASTARDS!
WWE starts releasing underused talent when the revenue goes down. THOSE BASTARDS!
A lot of released talent cant find jobs elsewhere atm, this is WWE's fault! THOSE BASTARDS!
WWE hires back talent, albeit at a lower rate because revenue is down, but at least they have jobs again instead of nothing...THOSE BASTARDS!

They literally can't win with some of you. Like how they were getting all that flak for still having tapings during the coronavirus shutdown. Ya'll were giving them the most amount of shit for it. But it was totally cool for AEW to do it AND have the rest of the talent around the ring at the same time, endangering even more people than WWE was. Then WWE has talent around the ring and ya'll give them shit for that. The irrational hate is palpable sometimes. I can see why Noid is the way he is about the double standards.

[Emperor Smeat]

At least in regards to them actually releasing talent, the backlash mainly revolves around them doing it at the worst time possible and claiming financial issues despite posting record level revenues at the same time.

Same for the backlash of them hiring back those released at lower deals since they are still making record revenues regardless of everything else happening around them.

[drave]

I'm not 100% informed about how that works...... but doesn't "record level revenues" come from previous revenue periods??


Surely they weren't posting record revenues without the live crowd, and with that a TON of merchandise sales? It would make sense that they were record setting right before this shit happened, then once it developed, realized they would have to cut talent.

[Emperor Smeat]

Its mainly from their new US & UK tv deals kicking in and carrying the company even more than before. This current fiscal quarter is expected to be even higher for record revenues because that's when their new India tv deal starts to kick in.

Wrestlenomics figured out that if WWE was only making money from their tv deals and live events and other notable revenue streams were around zero, they'd still be posting around a $280 million record in revenues for this year.

Bryan Alaverz did some math as well and figured they could go around 4 years without holding any live events and I think also making money from other notable revenue streams and they'd still be hitting record revenues because of how massive their tv deals are. They still have another massive tv deal in the works from the Middle East.

The coronavirus has wrecked their live event revenues but that area has been down or more hit-and-miss in recent years to the point they were losing less money by holding fewer shows starting around last year. Same for merch sales being very hit-or-miss in recent years.

[Sepholio]

You don't know what their revenue will look like in Q2 until they release the details after it's over. You are basing their record revenues on data from a previous quarter where they were unaffected by the pandemic.

[Emperor Smeat]

This was the source behind the original estimates and predictions:
https://wrestlenomics.com/2020/05/05/despite-covid-19-wwe-will-set-profit-records-in-2020-if-tv-rights-remain/

Also ended up mixing again revenues and income but basically they are predicted to bank around $280 million in the end and shatter the old fiscal year record of $116 million. That's with no more live events for the year and other areas impacted by the coronavirus remaining around the same.

The only thing that's really going to hurt them in terms of record breaking money is them not being able to hold another Saudi show this year since that would have been another $50 million or so in the bank for them.

[drave]

Ah, so speculation, just like our lovely stock market :)


Fuck their Saudi shows, tbh.


Most people will see this as a shitty way to do things, but at least they reached out to some released talent with a new deal. Some income in better than 0, at least for the layman.

[drave]

Also Smeat - thank you for taking the time to report on things as you do. It is very insightful at times and interesting to read. Feel like you don't get the love you deserve.

[xrodmuc316]

I think part of it has to do with how AEW has used their cast offs. That big fear of "we can't release anybody because AEW" doesn't have the same fear.

How many guys can have the "I'm really great but WWE held me back" gimmick? Law of diminishing returns.

[drave]

They did the same thing with NXT though. Started signing up names just so other promotions couldn't.


This isn't new. They have been bloated for way too long and need to trim their roster.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think part of it has to do with how AEW has used their cast offs. That big fear of "we can't release anybody because AEW" doesn't have the same fear.

How many guys can have the "I'm really great but WWE held me back" gimmick? Law of diminishing returns.

Yeah, I think the fear of potentially releasing their "Stunning" Steve and getting hit with a Stone Cold has dissipated and now they don't really care. They're careful who they are releasing -- mainly acts that have been around for a long time and are getting up there in age -- but the idea that it's going to damage them is out the window.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The only other dude AEW should pick up is Rusev.

I mean, you can't scoff at the Revival. Every single person not named Vince puts them over for being fucking awesome. Can't blame AEW for a second for snatching them up.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The Revival wasn't released due to Covid19 concerns. They wanted to get out for a year and a half.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

The Revival wasn't released due to Covid19 concerns. They wanted to get out for a year and a half.

I wasn't talking about COVID-19 releases you fucking moron. I literally just meant what I said.

God you're the fucking worst.

[mike adamle]

I can't believe you said Vince fired them for getting COVID-19

[#1-norm-fan]

The Revival got released so that STD’s Irish ancestors could be made into John Cena shirts.

[Savio]

I wasn't talking about COVID-19 releases you fucking moron. I literally just meant what I said.

God you're the fucking worst.
Whoa Dale, you doing ok?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Whoa Dale, you doing ok?

You know this is my natural state of being by now. Come on Savio, you piece of shit.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I'd be very afraid if Dale didn't respond in such a manner

[#1-norm-fan]

In Dale’s defense, STD unnecessary correction posts are the wrestling forum equivalent to Droford... general posts. It’s VERY tough to respond in a way that doesn’t scream “ARE YOU RETARDED!?”

[Mr. Nerfect]

Curtis Axel and Heath Slater are two guys that I see being back.

[Emperor Smeat]

Might be a while for Heath Slater since he might have signed a contract with Impact Wrestling if a recent tease by Rhyno is any indication.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;I've already got a tag team partner...and he's got kids.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/Rhyno313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rhyno313</a> has no interest in teaming with <a href="https://twitter.com/HakimZane?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HakimZane</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IMPACTonAXSTV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IMPACTonAXSTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/XVL8xQFdCD">pic.twitter.com/XVL8xQFdCD</a></p>&mdash; IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) <a href="https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1270518510750511105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[erickman]

and nwa want curt axel

[Mr. Nerfect]

Heath Miller and Rhino teaming makes sense. I'm not sure if the deals there are going to be long-term or not. Plus, they are TNA contracts.

[XL]

They’re dropping hints everywhere. I don’t think the hints are necessarily an indicator of the likelihood of anyone signing or not.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Definitely not, but it's curious that TNA and AXS have found the money to allegedly play for guys again.

[Savio]

Apparently more cutbacks are coming today with possible releases


https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=139470

[Bad News Gertner]

IRS and Gerald Brisco. Wow.

[slik]

That's too bad.

[Emperor Smeat]

More of Vince's old guard leaving is interesting.

Either that means Vince is getting closer to deciding when he wants to step down or things might get worse soon for WWE since his inner circle shrunk again and less people around to help keep him in check.

[Evil Vito]

Sarah Stock who was furloughed earlier this year has been let go fully.

[xrodmuc316]

I get the cuts before, when at the start of everything and uncertainties with Covid.

Now though, after they did all those previous cuts and then had record profits last quarter, I just don't get it. They are guaranteed to make a profit even if they fire nobody.

[LibSuperstar]

Maybe they don't fit WWE's scheme.

[Droford]

Gonna be weird with Bray now that they canned his dad

[Frank Drebin]

Weird like how he left his family for an early 20's ring announcer weird?

[Evil Vito]

I get the cuts before, when at the start of everything and uncertainties with Covid.

Now though, after they did all those previous cuts and then had record profits last quarter, I just don't get it. They are guaranteed to make a profit even if they fire nobody.

It's because Vince McMahon is a terrible person and there's no reason to think he'll ever change his ways.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to PWI, yesterday's wave of cuts was over 60 people in total and all from the staff side of the company.

While there were no talents released as part of yesterday's WWE cutbacks, there were quite a few employees let go from their positions.

One source believed there were over 60 staffers let go yesterday, many of whom were already furloughed or working in departments that aren't very active currently due to COVID-19, such as live events.

As PWInsider.com reported yesterday, Producers Mike Rotunda and Sarah Stock were among those departing the company.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't think the releases are specifically about saving money. That's obviously a side effect that the WWE is happy about. I think it's more about them pulling up their conservative pants and serving a smokescreen in the business world because Vince wants to fit in with his rich buddies. He'll take the heat for publicly firing people during an epidemic. It means other companies with less secure structures can make cuts that are more important to them than the WWE's are to them.

[Savio]

What a weird theory

[Destor]

cuts are due to redundancy. without running 2 touring crews 300 days a year you simply dont need as many people.

[drave]

so the release are about saving money? are they saving money in the demo tho????


that's really the only place it actually matters.

[Destor]

its not about saving money. its about not wasting money. prior you needed 3 guys doing the same job scattered about the country. you need 1 now. there's less work. this is pretty straight forward. there are fewer jobs.

[drave]

so they're saving some $$$

[Emperor Smeat]

According to PWI, seems the recent round of cutbacks was higher than previously assumed.

Both PWI and Observer initially reported it was in the 60-70 range with PWI reporting the low end and Observer reporting the high end.

Based on a recent update, the real number is currently believed to be even higher.

One WWE source informed PWInsider.com that they believed the recent cutbacks were actually 70+.

[Emperor Smeat]

Fightful had an update regarding the cost cutting measures going on in WWE despite the company posting their most profitable quarters ever even with the coronavirus pandemic ravaging their original fiscal plans.

Gerald Brisco revealed that he'd been let go by WWE. He was furloughed earlier this year.

Fightful reached out to Gerald Brisco, who said he's going to take some time to himself before speaking further on the matter. Many of the furloughed names were outright let go a little over a month ago as well.

The extreme cutbacks in WWE this year have led to many situations where salaries were decreased by tens of thousands of dollars even for non-wrestlers, and spots that would have many people performing the duties have one or two people. There are also understudies being groomed for many spots in case someone gets sick.

WWE is prepping several departments on the outright cuts and what that will mean for them.

Meanwhile those in upper management have been making out big time with their stock sales during this year. Triple H alone made around $1 million just from his last stock sale.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Destor's right. You can have personal feelings about that either way, but I don't think that posting record quarters or Triple H selling his stock has got shit to do with anything.

[Bad News Gertner]

Tony Chimel has been let go

[GD]

But have the fans let go of Tony Chimel? Just think about it.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE has come to terms on the release of Zelina Vega. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.<a href="https://t.co/RUebMGwBTA">https://t.co/RUebMGwBTA</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1327384821211992066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Bad News Gertner]

Wow! I thought they had plans for her?

[Lock Jaw]

It's a work. She's joining Retribution. Then she'll be drafted by the RAW brand.

[Evil Vito]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I support unionization.</p>&mdash; ������������ �������� (@Zelina_VegaWWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zelina_VegaWWE/status/1327382306491928576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Released within 10 minutes of posting that.

[Evil Vito]

I have a feeling she requested her release over the Twitch stuff. And once it was granted, she posted that. But still, woof.

[Lock Jaw]

Is she a big Twitcher or something?

[erickman]

so we will find out she was the one who shot bravo

[RP]

She'll be in AEW in a heart beat.

[XL]

Wow! I thought they had plans for her?

They did. And for Mandy Rose. And for Liv Morgan. And for...you get the point.

[Volare]

She makes quite a bit from the virgins drooling over her onlyfans with her cosplaying.

[RP]

Nice to see her take a stand. I hope others start doing so in the next 24 hours.

[erickman]

wonder what they will do with paige, they might as well let her go.

[RP]

Zelina is trending pretty strongly.

[owenbrown]

She'll be in AEW in a heart beat.

after her 90 day non compete

[Danny Electric]

Wonder what that means for Aleister Black.

[RP]

It would be so nice to see a legit established star just tweet out about how horseshit it is that Zelina just got fired.

But no one in that company has nuts. Except Paige.

[Emperor Smeat]

Wonder what that means for Aleister Black.

Black better hope she doesn't sign with AEW or else weekly table spots will be in his future.

[rez]

lol, gg. YANG'S COMING FOR YOU, VINCE!

[rez]

Andrew Yang... AY.... AYYY EE DUB U

BY GOD

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Dave Meltzer, issues with Vega's OnlyFans account likely was the cause of her release considering WWE's recent ban over talent using third party services and making extra money on the side that WWE doesn't get their grubby hands on.

Post Wrestling's John Pollock also reported that the decision to release her was made well before her tweet about unionization was sent. Just some really poor timing on WWE's end for their release tweet.

[erickman]

Black better hope she doesn't sign with AEW or else weekly table spots will be in his future.

or him and lana date and have a crap angle. i do not see her going to aew i think she will have to do indys for awhile.

[xrodmuc316]

According to Dave Meltzer, Vega opening an OnlyFans account earlier this week likely was the cause of her release considering WWE's recent ban over talent using third party services and making extra money on the side that WWE doesn't get their grubby hands on.

Post Wrestling's John Pollock also reported that the decision to release her was made well before her tweet about unionization was sent. Just some really poor timing on WWE's end for their release tweet.

Per usual, Meltzer is wrong and doesn't know shit. Took about 20 seconds to find it on reddit. https://onlyfans.com/meganminx

She opened that thing like 6 weeks ago. Meltzer is such a lazy turd.

[Droford]

Orton should do an only fans and see if they'll release him

Or..more probably..charlotte

[Emperor Smeat]

Per usual, Meltzer is wrong and doesn't know shit. Took about 20 seconds to find it on reddit. https://onlyfans.com/meganminx

She opened that thing like 6 weeks ago. Meltzer is such a lazy turd.

My bad, read that part wrong from another place.

The issue with her Onlyfans account supposedly happened earlier this week and not her actually opening it.

[Fignuts]

She apparently makes more money from twitch and only fans than she does from WWE.

[Emperor Smeat]

PWI, Observer, and WrestleVotes released more details regarding Vega's release from WWE and some serious issues going on between WWE and Aleister Black at the moment.

Multiple WWE sources have confirmed to PWInsider.com that today's release of Zelina Vega was fallout from last month's edict that talents drop their relationships with third party entities such as Twitch, Cameo, etc. in favor of World Wrestling Entertainment spearheading those relationships and fielding talents out as part of their contractual duties.

PWInsider.com is told that Vega was informed late this afternoon that she was being released before tonight's Smackdown taping. As we noted earlier, she would be under the traditional 90 day non-compete window, which would keep her from working televised promotions through mid-February 2021.

Vega was not released as a result of her tweet this evening about unionization, as one WWE source stated that word internally of her release came "well before" that Tweet.

WWE sources indicated that Vega had been extremely vocal about maintaining her Twitch account after the edict had been handed down. That lead to some WWE talents who reached out to PWInsider.com tonight wondering if she had been released to "send a message" to everyone else to make sure they follow the company's requests regarding third-party entities. Obviously, WWE is not going to confirm or deny that.

Vega had continued her Twitch streams until announcing she was suspending them on 10/30. That would be the day after a number of talents, including AJ Styles and Xavier Woods, had traveled to Stamford, CT to meet personally with Vince McMahon about the third-party edict but obviously failed to change McMahon's mind.

Meltzer added that Vega was making more money from outside WWE (Twitch, etc.) than she was making from her WWE contract, so WWE’s ban was a big blow for her. Meltzer also said that WWE wanted Vega to close her (non-nude) OnlyFans account.

WrestleVotes added that Vega’s husband Aleister Black has also had his own issues with WWE, saying, “While it can’t be directly tied to today’s news, Aleister Black recently requested to move back to NXT and was denied.”

[Ruien]

I missed something. Why can't WWE talent use Twitch?

[Emperor Smeat]

Official reason is WWE doesn't want their talent taking outside side deals without their permission since they claim it could hurt and/or water down their talent and company's value and standing for sponsorship deals. Talent using Twitch and getting sponsorship deals from it ended up being a sore spot for the company.

Unofficial reason is WWE started to reign in on the freedom their talent were having for outside ring stuff and get their hands on a lot of that sweet money their talent were making during the pandemic. Also some rumors of them not being happy with their talent participating in streams with non-WWE talent and certain talent like AJ Styles saying stuff about the company during streams that they didn't want to be aired out publicly.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I certainly hope Vega goes to aew. Their women's roster is whatever, and seeing as she can talk, thrives in a manger role and can wrestle, getting her there would be a boost to an otherwise lackluster division.

[slik]

I missed something. Why can't WWE talent use Twitch?

They aren't allowed to use Cameo anymore either.

[Volare]

Anything 3rd Party...Twitch, Cameo, OnlyFans.

Vega has more then enough assets to be just fine. Bigger than Belle Delphine since she went XXX route? Dunno.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EdynOurXsAA0g7I.jpg:large

[Ruien]

Never really looked at OnlyFans but her page says 30 dollars to subscribe. Is that just to her? That is a LOT of money to look at someone. 30 dollars a pop. Maybe get like 25 per subscriber (OnlyFans website gets 5). Lets say she just gets 5,000 subscribers. That is $125,000 a month? Wtf?

Someone please tell me I am missing something.

[Bad News Gertner]

I have a couple friends who do it who charge more.

[RP]

For .99 cent a month you can see me shove banana's up my shitty ass hole.

[Ruien]

I have a couple friends who do it who charge more.

Geez. Does it go farther than just nudes? Like sex videos and such? I can't see some random hot girl getting many subscribers for nude pictures. That internet is an odd place though.

[Ruien]

Feel like my cherry was popped on this OnlyFans thing and now I have 100 questions. That is a lot of money for some damn pictures.

[Gerard]

I missed something. Why can't WWE talent use Twitch?

Because Vince is a money grabbing old twat.

[Bad News Gertner]

Geez. Does it go farther than just nudes? Like sex videos and such? I can't see some random hot girl getting many subscribers for nude pictures. That internet is an odd place though.

She does personal videos, pics and stuff. The other has stuff like pics, calendars.

They both make way the fuck more than I do and I make a good living.

[Evil Vito]

Some guys jack off furiously at the idea that a chick on OnlyFans knows they exist.

[Ruien]

I should have been born a female. Fuck.

[drave]

There's still time

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I should have been born a female. Fuck.

Sir, perhaps you are not familiar with the marvels of modern science and technology. A better life awaits you.

[Bad News Gertner]

I just checked. She has 2000 subscribers and charges $49 a month, plus more for extras. She sells her panties for $150 !a pop . Do the math.

[xrodmuc316]

They don't even have to do nudes. Vega's page says no nudes. They pay her $whatever a month to see her cosplay photo shoots.

[xrodmuc316]

Also, I like the idea that Vince is going to finally screw himself over for being too greedy!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Some guys jack off furiously at the idea that a chick on OnlyFans knows they exist.

I remember years ago on the Howard Stern Show JD describing how he would spend thousand of dollars on cam girls and the whole staff just being shocked. But apparently it’s very common.

[Fignuts]

These people need to have themselves a wank before they commit to spending money.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Men can make a decent chunk of change on onlyfans apparently.

[RP]

Men can make a decent chunk of change on onlyfans apparently.

YES MEN MAKE DECENT CHANGE ON ONLYFANS! I"M SHOVING CUCUMBERS UP MY FUCKING ASS FOR .99 CENT TO SPEND ON THE TACO BELL DRIVE-THRU
DOLLAR MENU MOTHERFUCKER!

[Lock Jaw]

Link?

[RP]

Link?

I dont think you're ready for this jelly.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

YES MEN MAKE DECENT CHANGE ON ONLYFANS! I"M SHOVING CUCUMBERS UP MY FUCKING ASS FOR .99 CENT TO SPEND ON THE TACO BELL DRIVE-THRU
DOLLAR MENU MOTHERFUCKER!

Add some Lava Sauce from Taco Bell to that cucumber and you could easily charge $1.99.

[Frank Drebin]

V excited for the Alistair Black / Piper Nevin holiday marriage food fight match.

[rez]

Add some Lava Sauce from Taco Bell to that cucumber and you could easily charge $1.99.

Lava sauce was killed off years ago :(