WWE Black Wednesday - Talent Releases
 

Per WWE.com


Drake Maverick
Cain Velasquez
No Way Jose
Curt Hawkins
Curtis Axel
Sarah Logan
Karl Anderson
Rusev
Zack Ryder
Mike Kanellis
Maria Kanellis
Epico
Primo
Erick Rowan
Luke Gallows
EC3
Lio Rush
Aiden English
Kurt Angle.
Eric Young
Heath Slater :(


Agents/Producers/Ref

Pat Buck
Shane Helms
Gerald Brisco
Lance Storm
Billy Kidman
Mike Rotunda
Dave Finlay
Scott Armstrong
Shawn Daivari
Mike Chioda
Sarah Stock

NXT/Coaches/Writer
Dan Matha
Alyssa Miles
Kassius Ohno
Jon Quasto
Kendo Kashin (coach)
Serena Deeb (Performance Center coach)
Chris Guy (Performance Center coach)
MJ Jenkins
Josiah Wiliams
Jerry Soto (announcer)
Deonna Purrazzo
Aleksandar Jaksic
Andrea Listenberger (writer

All of those names should have been long gone anyway

Eric Young also released, according to PWInsider

impact and aew just got better, wonder if dashwood wished lio luck yet

Yeah I'll have to periodically refresh the WWE.com website and update the post.

NOOOOOOOOOO HEATH SLATER :(

Don't see how this is going to benefit anyone, given the state of the world right now.




WWE's problem was signing talent for the sake of sqandering them from the competition. AEW, nor any other fed, should do that.

HE'S GOT KIDS!!!!!!

Hawkins is a mild surprise only because he seemed like he'd be a lifer because he was content to just job endlessly and run his wrestling school on the side.

Gallows and Anderson were affiliated with AJ on screen multiple times and stuck around after being promised a renewed push but it's not like AJ needed them, and they were making a huge wage to not do all that much.

EC3 pretty clearly wanted out.

Sucks for Maverick because he was just announced for the Cruiserweight Title tournament and was finally going to get a chance to wrestle after barely doing so in the two years he'd been there.

Blah.

Heath Slater was criminally underutilized.

not one of them should but all the indys will get better

If Zack Ryder survives this wave of cuts, it's because they've decided to keep Chelsea Green and they're pretty good about not splitting up couples.

RIP Chad 2 Badd & Tex Ferguson. :'(

He was a great annoying heel. I wish he would have gotten a U.S/IC run.

rusev i don't see surviving

Squared Circle Sirens reports Fit Finlay and Lance Storm let go behind the scenes
Sportskeeda has added Mike Rotunda to that list as well.

IRS and The Hurricane too

I mean, let's also call this what it is. WWE has signed an absolutely ridiculous amount of people, often seemingly just to have them, and up until that day last fall where they let Brodie Lee and The Ascension go they pretty much never got rid of anyone unless they either retired from wrestling altogether or had major character issues (see: ACH), oftentimes even when the talent themselves would have liked to have left. It was a bubble that was always going to burst someday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I knew I shouldn’t have answered that call. ������█♂️</p>&mdash; Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneHelmsCom/status/1250469737047474179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WWE has too much talent they don't use, so a cut would make sense. Sucks for the talent obviously.

Some will eventually get picked up by Japan, ROH, Impact or AEW -- but not all talent, behind the scenes or in front of the cameras are a good fit for any of those companies.

There's talk of some people being furloughed rather than released. But i imagine that's for the office workers. The main point of furlough is that you get to keep your health insurance and, welp, we know the wrestlers don't get that.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nine producers have been released from WWE:<br><br>- Billy Kidman <br>- Mike Rotunda<br>- Dave Finlay<br>- Pat Buck<br>- Shawn Daivari<br>- Scott Armstrong<br>- Sarah Stock<br>- Shane Helms<br>- Lance Storm</p>&mdash; Gary Cassidy (@consciousgary) <a href="https://twitter.com/consciousgary/status/1250488220577644544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kurt Angle has been released by WWE</p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1250488413163315201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aiden English has been released by WWE</p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1250488449653788672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Aiden English is gone

-edit-

outslicked by Slik

Heath Slater not being involved with R-Truth and the 24/7 title was criminal :'(

I hope Rusev survives!

Cesaro too!

Well if my theory on not wanting to split couples holds any weight.....Rusev/Lana and Cesaro/Sara Amato. Who knows.

if rusev did not resign his contract yet and lana sucks i see them both going

I imagine the producers are furloughed

Probably. The company may legit not be running live events again until 2021.

Mike Chioda's gone after more than 30 years with the company

Mike Chioda
Sarah Logan

gone as well

Well, Sarah Logan's with Viking Erik so that blows up my theory about couples. Zack Ryder better avoid checking his phone.

so logans end was sobbing in the ring what an end

Bobby Roode's probably in trouble. They've done fuck all with him lately.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My immediate thoughts.<a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WWENXT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWENXT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NXT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NXT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TripleH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShawnMichaels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShawnMichaels</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cruiserweight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cruiserweight</a> <a href="https://t.co/Afw58V7eo1">pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1</a></p>&mdash; Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEMaverick/status/1250493936185102339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">According to sources, the producers seem to have all been furloughed ... not let go from the company entirely.</p>&mdash; Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingSheet/status/1250496387000614913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Crazy times

Lol Epico gone but not Primo.

Rowan gone as well

Hmmm, Lance Storm sounds like he was totally let go, not furloughed

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My best to all who, like me, lost their jobs today. To those still on the job, hold down the fort for us. It was my pleasure to work with you all these past 4 month. I hope we will all get a chance to work together again. Stay strong, stay safe.</p>&mdash; Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) <a href="https://twitter.com/LanceStorm/status/1250497846324813824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Drake Maverick tweet really depressing, hope he lands on his feet

Aaaand he’s gone

RIP to the new JTG

It's truly fucked that they released all of these people at the worst possible time, when most can't get work anywhere else... despite WWE still bringing in tons of profits this year

At least they got to pay off that cage angle!!!!

I got the sense from Brodie Lee’s interview on TIJ that Rowan wanted out anyway.

Imagine the morale having to travel out to shows every week during a pandemic when a bunch of your friends/coworkers were just fired by the billionaire owner

Mike Kanellis gone

If they release Mike but not Maria :lol:

looks like they will fire half the roster

I was feeling that whole video.

This is all very disheartening. Can't believe they let go of so many performers.

Shit we might have a 3 way in promotions if/when things go back to "normal."

It would kinda make a good angle. Maybe a little tasteless, but it's WWE.

Maria gone

Man that fuckin sucks.

Fuck

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Braun Strowman was telling indie wrestlers to change profession a few weeks ago. Now 2 of his better friends are unemployed. Life is crazy. <a href="https://t.co/5nE2vRXi6b">pic.twitter.com/5nE2vRXi6b</a></p>&mdash; JRKUERVO (@JRKUERVOGAMING) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRKUERVOGAMING/status/1250504300624674816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What's really awful is that many of these cuts have nowhere to work. Maybe a few latch right on to AEW (who, like WWE, will still run events even if on a different taping scheduled). But while the rest could've jumped right into indy bookings and such, obviously none of that is available at the moment.

I wonder if they are full cut contracts.

The reason being is Gallows and Anderson both signed big money deals very recently. Those are they 2 that either make the most sense in terms of saving money, or those are the 2 that make the lease sense to let go of WWE still has to pay their big downside guarantees.

Just watched that Drake Maverick video..... he is def winning the Cruiserweight Title

Remember when Rusev, Lana, and Aiden were all super over?

Zack Ryder released

yeah a few of the people just signed 5 year contracts like mike bennet

All of this bloodletting and they haven't even gotten to NXT yet. Half expect them to just close NXT UK outright.

They might as well just stop 205 Live at this point.

No Way Jose gone

No Way

I wonder if this would be happening if Vince didn't just lose like $300 million on football.

No Way Jose

Whenever you started a new game in the wrestling simulator Extreme Warfare Revenge, WWE would always release like 100 people by the time you got to the second day.

Feels just like it.

Wonder how much of an advance on his allowance Tony is gonna ask Shad for with all these new toys available to buy :rofl:

This is far too accurate.

Worried for Fandango

He's injured, so probably safe for now.

Monday: WWE wrestlers are "Essential."

Wednesday: WWE cuts half the roster.

Fucking McMahon.

Lol, he really is such a prick.

Injured again? His time's gotta be up soon.

That's "The Great" Vince Fucking McMahon to you.

I'd argue that AEW would certainly benefit from adding one person to that group more than anyone else: Dave Finlay.

Then again, He might get a look at Orange Cassidy and break his thumbs like in the old days.

Nice timing Vince, you senile old prick. :roll:


Funny how this coincides with the xfl going down the shitter, again.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">and wrestlers <a href="https://t.co/QjJ4pUPsWv">https://t.co/QjJ4pUPsWv</a></p>&mdash; Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1250510716039163904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you All, Rusev out!</p>&mdash; Miro (@RusevBUL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RusevBUL/status/1250515808356188160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Oh no! Poor Zack :'(

Surprised Angle managed to make it this long, just a shame he couldn't have had his last match years earlier. That match against Corbin was pitiful.

Mojo is probably the smartest guy in the business attaching himself to Gronk might save his job.

And on Rusev Day. For shame.

Vince has released the entire WWE superstars roster and he's apporaching getting rid of the 205 Live roster. I might get a shocked face when someone BIG gets released.

If the rumors about Tyler Breeze were true, I wouldn't be surprised if they let him go.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rf-sNmLjzz0?start=104" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Piece of shit.

Then. Now. Forever.

Bo? Axel?

Lucha House Party?

Sad to see people losing their jobs in the current situation we are in, people with families.

Can see Riddick Moss being announced, maybe even the Forgotten Sons after one match on the main roster. Lucha house party , Jeff Hardy? Chad Gable , Jason Jordan still signed to a contract?

What rumors are those?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots of people getting let go at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWE</a> today and regrettably, I am one of them. But I'm proud of the work I've been able to do since starting in Dec., and glad that the storyline I worked on resonated with so many people. That's what writing is about for me. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OtisandMandyForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OtisandMandyForever</a></p>&mdash; Andrea Listenberger (@andrea_ml) <a href="https://twitter.com/andrea_ml/status/1250504617689038858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rusev is the one person on this list when things clear up after Rona I would pursue if I were AEW.

Or I was just thinking , I could see them getting rid of Axel and then keeping Bo to use him in an angle involving Bray and Braun.

Tbh, I just want to watch him and Ishii beat the shit out of each other. Just once.