WWE Releases: Spring 2010 Edition - 8 Gone (Update 2)
 

From WWE.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Divas Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill as well as Superstars Shelton Benjamin, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J and Jimmy Wang Yang as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish them the best in all future endeavors.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/superstarsreleased

From WWE.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Mike Knox as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish him the best in all future endeavors.

---

List of Releases
Mickie James
Katie Lea Burchill
Shelton Benjamin
Kung Fu Naki
Slam Master J
Jimmy Wang Yang
Mike Knox
Tony Atlas

benjamin and mickie will be in tna after the 90 day no compete clause expires

I care

I'm kind of shocked about Shelton and even more surprised about Mickie. I mean, she was involved in a major diva's angle for the last few months, crazy.

mickie james WTF

Geez.

TNA's locker room is gonna be crowded now.

I'd love to see Mickie in TNA though, she will definitely be able to have some solid bouts there. Just sorry that we won't see her vs. Awesome Kong :drool:

From what I've heard she had a lot of heat on the tour for being late getting on busses, etc. Other than that I can't see much of anything. Unless it's Vince adding on her weight gain and shit like that and it's a last straw type of deal.

Honestly, my biggest surprise here is Funaki. I thought he was pretty well in with the company, a job for life. I know he did some stuff for WWE in Japan.

now tna's knockout division ,x division is going to get better,and if they get chalie haas they got a better tag team division as well

getting rid of the most over diva, it must have been something pretty serious, om assuming it was wwe hat fired her and her not asking for a release

I'd love to see Mickie in TNA. She'll probably try the music thing for a while before going in, though.

Sorry about Mickie James and Shelton Benjamin.

TPWW's The Gold Standard is gonna be devastated when he reads the news.

The rest were to be expected. Though Funaki was "to be expected" for a very long time. Kudos for him for staying around as long as he did.

Not a big fan of either of the guys, but I think Haas and Benjamin would be a great addition to TNA's tag team roster.

Shelton Benjamin is a much bigger surprise than Mickie James. TNA would be crazy not to snap him up.

That was a huge mistake getting rid of Mickie James and Shelton Benjamin.

Team Angle reunion? Bring in Haas and you could do something with them and Angle.

Funaki is probably gonna go to TNA and instantly get the X-Division title.

Funaki - TNA NUMBA WON X DIVISION WRESTLER!

My jaw literally dropped for about 30 seconds when I saw Benjamin's name.

From Figure Four Weekly, on Mickie:

James was released because she more than once on the European tour arrived late for the bus, holding up travel. That was considered the straw that broke the camel's back dating back to her being disciplined by being sent to Smackdown.

Shelton Benajmin? Really? ...REALLY?

I like how being sent to Smackdown is a punishment.

Noooo shelton!


Hopefully TNA is cracking that piggy bank for him now if they only get Hass

I missed Mickie in TNA the first time I'm egar to watch this time around


Katie Lea another actual wrestler among the divas :nono:

He is pretty torn up about it.

Wickedly shocked about Shelton..... the others are not much of a surprise..... I can't see any of them in TNA except for Yang.....

pwi has a different story

Not impressed with Benjamin being released

I guess maybe all the fat jokes were for real.

Good. Rather see Shelton and Mickie in TNA.

I was trying to make what you said into a lesbian joke but it just came off sounding like a fat joke and I'm WAYYY to mature for that :shifty:

Anyways, I'm not suprised that Shelton got released, just kinda dissapointed. I'm pretty sure down the line there gonna give the "Paul Burchil" excuse for why they released him (He's talented in the ring and has good mike skills... but he doesnt appeal to 12 year olds so he's gone) :nono:

Yeah definitely a good thing for Mickie and Shelton. Like half of TNA's gimmick matches seem like they were designed with Shelton in mind.

WWE Releases Not Suprising but Benjamin & James?? REALLY??
 

Of all the firings, I am surprised at Mickie James and Shelton Benjamin being gone... Especially Shelton...

Mickie does not have weight issues for God's sake... And I am sure she is pissed...

Benjamin though? Also consistently shitty on the mic... One of the best in ring performers of the last 10 years... Guess they thought they had done the best they could... TNA here they come...

I guess they decided they have a new Shelton Benjamin in Kofi Kingston, so why bother keeping the old outdated model?

Good thing there already isn't a thread about this.

I'm betting Primo's getting let go if this is a big Spring Cleaning (this is happening just before the first quarter's numbers are coming out, as it usually does). I'd say Carlito too but he's on NXT.

Surprised Primo wasn't in the first round of cuts.

I'm... a little pissed.

I could see the following:

Primo
Zeke - Unless they're going to keep him until he's healed then future endeavor him. Can't see him staying around.
Mike Knox
Curt Hawkins
Abe Washington
Chris Masters
Chavo

yeah angle is taking time off now, have the 3 of them come in in 3 months an take out team flair.

Ya, lets not rehash anything from WWE in TNA.

Holy shit! They deleted Mickie's WWE Universe page as well.. Sadists!

i want to see mickie in tna purely so her and velvet sky can have an 'ass' off

WWE have fired 5 great talents. I can't beleive they fired Shelton,Katie,Mickie and Yang but kept people like Mike Knox,Kelly,Alica and Hornswoggle

Watch Mickie gain 30 lbs during her no compete lull.

No surprise about Mickie. Heard she had a music career lined up and that caused her to get the boot. Didn't think it would be tardy getting on the bus.

Shelton Benjamin surprised me. Guy got the talent, he'll probably end up in TNA after the 90 days.

Don't care about anyone else. Katie Lea never did much with/without Burchill.

Shelton's firing means if nothing else Justin Gabriel will spend the next five years in Money in the Bank matches.

Micke James and Shoichi Funaki being released, shocked me the most.

Funaki, because he's been with them for 12 years, and he has been a consistent help, putting over talent.

Mickie's release was just unfair. Moving to SmackDown! as a punishment? Come on. I watched SmackDown! more than RAW, because they have better wrestling (thank you Michael Hayes). And the supposed "weight issues?" I don't see signs of weight gain, if any. To me, the only meaningful reason behind her release is the whole missing the bus deal.

Shelton Benjamin vs AJ Styles vs RVD

i know,.... i cant fuckin believe they got rid of shelton.... horse shit!!!!

i thought he would eventually be main event, maybe champ one day....

I guess they should call Jack Swagger the new gold standard :shifty:

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, Shelton and Funaki were the only two that surprised me. I never viewed Shelton as a World Champ or anything, but a guy that can always put on a good match. Funaki obviously wasn't doing anything but I figured he'd transition right into an agent role.

Interesting that these moves happen right before the draft. I still don't know how they plan on doing a full 3-hour draft AND a Supplemental Draft on Wednesday with just two rosters. They may wind up flipping nearly everybody but Cena and Triple H.</font>

i had shelton slated for a bob holly type career but less dickish he couldve been a guy to give cred to titles and can easily put over younger guys i think they ma d a HUGE mistake here

i was shocked to see shelton because even when he didnt have angle he was still a good wrestler

Shelton and Mickie....wow.

Jesus fucking Christ I can't believe this!!!!! I hope Vince and the entire WWE writing staff get cancer and die a slow and extremely painful death and yes I am completely serious about that! WWE just keeps screwing up their product more and more I mean Micky, Katie Lea, and Shelton?! WTF where they thinking?!?!?! They fire them and keep people like Eve, Layla, Santino, and Hornswoggle?!?!?!?! I pray to god and every other riligious figure that TNA picks them up and crushes WWE into fucking oblivion!!!! Fucking cocksuckers! AAAHHHHH!!!!!

Wishbone just went Jim Cornette on the WWE writing team and Vince (McMahon).

Don't get what Shelton fans are upset about. This is the best thing that could've happened to him.

He obviously wasn't going anywhere, and he got more than enough chances. A change of scenary will do him good.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

This is correct. Shelton hasn't done anything remotely memorable since that match with HBK in like 2005.

From Jimmy Yang's Twitter:

"Three strikes and your out...I hear Florida is a nice place to visit."

Wellness? TNA? Or stirring the pot?

He can go to Black Diamond Wrestling and tag with Dan "The Breadman" Sandwich for all I care! Never liked the japanese redneck gimmick..

Mickie is far more surprising than Shelton. But the WWE's fatal mistake is giving TNA the opportunity to snatch up Slam Master J.

How is Mickie more surprising? I haven't heard a bad thing about Shelton, he just isn't used. Mickie has been getting heat for at least six months.

Really? Did not know that. I'm just going by what I see on TV and usually Mickie is being used more than Shelton. It seems like the only reason they have kept Shelton for the last few years is the MITB match

Mickey James will go to TNA in 90 days. She will prolly make limited appearances as she does her music deal also.. BUT staying on live tv will help her music career so don't expect her to stay away for any longer than 90 days lol.. Not to mention when the Divas in TNA are the highest rating getters. She will prolly lose weight n join the beautiful people.

Mickie and Shelton? Why them?

Boo!

At least Mickie can join TNA and be more sexual than on WWE.

shelton vs aj ultimate x would be a amazing match

Mickie and Shelton! Unbelievable. I am most pissed off about these 2. I was a fan of Katie Lea, but considering she is female, and can actually wrestle, should have known she would be fired. And I knew it wasnt long after Paul got released she would be released as well.

WWE should have kept Mickie and Shelton.

The way WWE were treating Mickie, I'm not surprised. I figured they were cutting her soon. But Shelton? I know he wasn't a main eventer, but he was a solid mid carder. I know in WWE world you are either a main eventer, going to be a main eventer, or a jobber who's on their way out. Sad.

I am very upset about Shelton being released, but as Supreme said, this is the best thing that could have happened. He will now go to TNA after his 90 day clause is up and he will be a main part of the X-Division and have great matches with everyone.

I still won't watch TNA, even with Shelton in there. But Mickie James vs Hamada? That's another thing..

I'd definitely watch Mickie James vs. Ayako Hamada. I like seeing some Joshi Puroresu influence in that match.

If TNA builds more factions and uses these WWE wrestlers to hype the TNA wrestlers n put them over, then TNA will increase its fan base.. LIKE how Flair n HOGAN are putting over the younger talent now as managers.. I'll watch TNA from 7 to 8 pm then I'll tivo the rest while I watch RAW.

Normally I'd agree, but a team angle reunion would be awesome.

WWE to Talent: Unless we're directly involved with your outside projects and get a cut, you're fired.

Mike Knox is gone now.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/knoxreleased

Yup.

From WWE.com:

WWE has come to terms on the release of Mike Knox as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish him the best in all future endeavors.

oh dear, i liked knox too

i feel we have a few more names coming

The Beard.

:'(

TIME OUT

Is the beard still employed?

Too bad Mike Knox never got the opportunity to turn face. He could have been an awesome tag partner for John Morrison. They'd enter in slow-mo with Morrison's hair and Knox's beard flowing in the wind.

There have been years (when the Dudleys were released for sure) where it lasted a whole week, with new releases coming every day.

Kinda surprised Shelton got the axe before Hass.

So Now Raw Brand has 37 stars and Smackdown has 38 stars after the 7 released today.. i think we can expect at least 4 more to go.

Haas was released in February.

Won't miss any one of the releases so far except Shelton.

i wonder if wwe will re hire haas to keep him from taging with shelton in tna.

I'm with those who aren't shocked about Shelton Benjamin. He wasn't in any programs, hasn't been in one since he faced Christian in a TLC match in December, and he jobs every year at Wrestlemania, which is fine because he makes the MITB match better. But the dude is barely on 2 PPV a year. He's been under utilized for years...as good as he is, he wasn't going to go anywhere with WWE.

Just hoping another "gold"en one isn't gone soon...

Wow, I am legit shocked at Shelton and especially Mickie James.

Mike Knox's beard will be staying on as a road agent

Yeah, back in 2005. If memory serves correctly and I'm not just exaggerating, I think there was at least a dozen if not more fired from WWE during that week.

Still kinda shocked about Mickie and Shelton, the others I didn't really care about all that much.

World's Greatest Tag Team v. Kings of Wrestling at ROH book it!

Wait, what about his feud with Vance Archer?