Details regarding recent WWE releases

**Juan** · 11-13-2008, 02:15 AM

Chuck Palumbo

Regarding last week's departure of Chuck Palumbo, apparently, his contract recently expired and it was widely assumed he wouldn't be signed to a new one because the company hadn't done anything with him in months.

Palumbo was said to be the typical idea of what Johnny Ace thinks a wrestler should look like because he's big and tall. Of course, his perception is based on Vince McMahon's perception of what a WWE wrestler should look like. After being released in '04, Palumbo returned to the company in the spring of '06. At the time, WWE was looking for "big" wrestlers as opposed to juiced up wrestlers, what with the Wellness Policy in effect. That explains how the likes of Bull Buchanan and Henry O. Godwinn got tryouts that year. Also, Palumbo had a brother in the military, which might have helped his cause in landing a job. Despite not being employed in late '05, for some reason JBL made a comment saying one of the company's wrestlers had a brother in the military, in reference to Palumbo. Rumors then started up on WWE being interested in him, and he was eventually signed.

Anyway, McMahon liked Palumbo's biker gimmick at first, but the creative team was said to never be high on him, believing he'd never get over, and McMahon eventually lost interest in him as well. Palumbo seemed to have a good thing going in his program with Jamie Noble, but it wavered off and he soon got lost in the shuffle after a brief angle with Finlay. Following his brief angle with Finlay, Palumbo was drafted to Raw, but not used on television once, only working a handful of house shows.

In an ironic twist, Palumbo was drafted to the Raw brand in July 2004, but didn't appear on Raw a single time. He primarily wrestled on Heat where he developed a car mechanic/enthusiast gimmick. He was released in November of that year during a talent purge as well.

Regarding his future in wrestling, as reported earlier, Palumbo is trying to land a job in Mexico, but it may prove to be difficult. Rey Mysterio, through his connections, is trying to help him get a job in AAA, but the promotion has already turned down several ROH wrestlers and there's a moratorium on bringing in any more foreigners in as regulars. Also, former WWE wrestler Mark Jindrak (a.k.a. "Marco Corleone") is trying to get Palumbo in CMLL.

Elijah Burke

It's interesting to note that Elijah Burke was originally slated to be moved to the Raw brand when Shelton Benjamin moved to ECW late last year, but head Raw writer Brian Gewirtz had no interest in using him and the plan was nixed. Around the same time, WWE had plans for Kofi Kingston to be called up to the main roster, but Gewirtz had no interest in him as well. Also, SmackDown head writer Michael Hayes didn't want him either, hence his move to ECW upon his debut.

In another interesting trivia note, Elijah Burke was originally tapped to be part of the Spirit Squad, but turned the spot down. He believed the gimmick would kill his career, so he decided to wait longer to be called up to WWE. As it turned out, considering what happened with pretty much everyone on the team, he lasted longer than everyone sans Nic Nemeth (a.k.a. Dolph Ziggler) and Kenny Dykstra, who was ironically cut the same day. Burke was called up to the SmackDown roster in a pairing with Sylvester Terkay in the summer of 2006 and with the exception of Kenny Dykstra, the Spirit Squad members were sent back down to developmental by the end of the year. Around the same time, Burke really started to get noticed in WWE and he soon became the leader of the "New Breed."

Some believed Burke had small attitude issues, but several people felt he was great with promos, and as a result, had potential to be a money star in the future. Hence, he became the lead heel of the "New Breed." However, the angle eventually ran its course and the company apparently gave up on him. Even though he was considered to be a success in his role with the "New Breed," nobody could give a good reason as to why he wasn't being used anymore, even those directly involved in the creative process.

All of the recent cuts were part of WWE's decision to release talent not being used as a result of the company's cost cutting directive. Burke had not been used since May and there were obviously no plans to use him anytime soon, hence his dismissal from the company.

Kenny Dykstra

Recently released WWE superstar Ken Doane (Kenny Dykstra) has posted the following message on his MySpace page:

"First I would just like to say thank you to everyone who left a comment or message and for the support. It is greatly appreciated. Believe it or not i actually am happy to be gone from wwe. I dont have to do things around their schedule and i dont have to answer to anybody. i have never fealt so free in my entire life. i had been working with wwe since i was 16 so ive never really known anything else. i did have fun with wwe but the creative side never used me properly or really gave me an opportunity to get over. it sucks when you know your better than the majority and your only used to make people look good. will i stay wrestling? Im not sure. wwe kinda puts a bad taste in your mouth after all the politics and garbage that can go on. I may try to go to TNA but we will see. i have 90 days to think about it and possibly try. although i wont rule it out. I do feel like they could use me much better. I would also like to have some matches with guys like a.j. and kurt and joe and christian. plus sting has always been my favorite so to work with him would be great too. but i guess i will wait it out and see what direction i try to go in. as for wwe i am glad to be gone. i thank them for everything and wish them the best too. take care. Kenn Doane."

11-13-2008, 02:15 AM	#1
Juan Doin' It Right Posts: 35,460	Details regarding recent WWE releases Chuck Palumbo Regarding last week's departure of Chuck Palumbo, apparently, his contract recently expired and it was widely assumed he wouldn't be signed to a new one because the company hadn't done anything with him in months. Palumbo was said to be the typical idea of what Johnny Ace thinks a wrestler should look like because he's big and tall. Of course, his perception is based on Vince McMahon's perception of what a WWE wrestler should look like. After being released in '04, Palumbo returned to the company in the spring of '06. At the time, WWE was looking for "big" wrestlers as opposed to juiced up wrestlers, what with the Wellness Policy in effect. That explains how the likes of Bull Buchanan and Henry O. Godwinn got tryouts that year. Also, Palumbo had a brother in the military, which might have helped his cause in landing a job. Despite not being employed in late '05, for some reason JBL made a comment saying one of the company's wrestlers had a brother in the military, in reference to Palumbo. Rumors then started up on WWE being interested in him, and he was eventually signed. Anyway, McMahon liked Palumbo's biker gimmick at first, but the creative team was said to never be high on him, believing he'd never get over, and McMahon eventually lost interest in him as well. Palumbo seemed to have a good thing going in his program with Jamie Noble, but it wavered off and he soon got lost in the shuffle after a brief angle with Finlay. Following his brief angle with Finlay, Palumbo was drafted to Raw, but not used on television once, only working a handful of house shows. In an ironic twist, Palumbo was drafted to the Raw brand in July 2004, but didn't appear on Raw a single time. He primarily wrestled on Heat where he developed a car mechanic/enthusiast gimmick. He was released in November of that year during a talent purge as well. Regarding his future in wrestling, as reported earlier, Palumbo is trying to land a job in Mexico, but it may prove to be difficult. Rey Mysterio, through his connections, is trying to help him get a job in AAA, but the promotion has already turned down several ROH wrestlers and there's a moratorium on bringing in any more foreigners in as regulars. Also, former WWE wrestler Mark Jindrak (a.k.a. "Marco Corleone") is trying to get Palumbo in CMLL. Elijah Burke It's interesting to note that Elijah Burke was originally slated to be moved to the Raw brand when Shelton Benjamin moved to ECW late last year, but head Raw writer Brian Gewirtz had no interest in using him and the plan was nixed. Around the same time, WWE had plans for Kofi Kingston to be called up to the main roster, but Gewirtz had no interest in him as well. Also, SmackDown head writer Michael Hayes didn't want him either, hence his move to ECW upon his debut. In another interesting trivia note, Elijah Burke was originally tapped to be part of the Spirit Squad, but turned the spot down. He believed the gimmick would kill his career, so he decided to wait longer to be called up to WWE. As it turned out, considering what happened with pretty much everyone on the team, he lasted longer than everyone sans Nic Nemeth (a.k.a. Dolph Ziggler) and Kenny Dykstra, who was ironically cut the same day. Burke was called up to the SmackDown roster in a pairing with Sylvester Terkay in the summer of 2006 and with the exception of Kenny Dykstra, the Spirit Squad members were sent back down to developmental by the end of the year. Around the same time, Burke really started to get noticed in WWE and he soon became the leader of the "New Breed." Some believed Burke had small attitude issues, but several people felt he was great with promos, and as a result, had potential to be a money star in the future. Hence, he became the lead heel of the "New Breed." However, the angle eventually ran its course and the company apparently gave up on him. Even though he was considered to be a success in his role with the "New Breed," nobody could give a good reason as to why he wasn't being used anymore, even those directly involved in the creative process. All of the recent cuts were part of WWE's decision to release talent not being used as a result of the company's cost cutting directive. Burke had not been used since May and there were obviously no plans to use him anytime soon, hence his dismissal from the company. Kenny Dykstra Recently released WWE superstar Ken Doane (Kenny Dykstra) has posted the following message on his MySpace page: "First I would just like to say thank you to everyone who left a comment or message and for the support. It is greatly appreciated. Believe it or not i actually am happy to be gone from wwe. I dont have to do things around their schedule and i dont have to answer to anybody. i have never fealt so free in my entire life. i had been working with wwe since i was 16 so ive never really known anything else. i did have fun with wwe but the creative side never used me properly or really gave me an opportunity to get over. it sucks when you know your better than the majority and your only used to make people look good. will i stay wrestling? Im not sure. wwe kinda puts a bad taste in your mouth after all the politics and garbage that can go on. I may try to go to TNA but we will see. i have 90 days to think about it and possibly try. although i wont rule it out. I do feel like they could use me much better. I would also like to have some matches with guys like a.j. and kurt and joe and christian. plus sting has always been my favorite so to work with him would be great too. but i guess i will wait it out and see what direction i try to go in. as for wwe i am glad to be gone. i thank them for everything and wish them the best too. take care. Kenn Doane."