Following the recent round of releases in NXT and with rumours swirling the brand is set for major changes, many female NXT competitors are reportedly apprehensive about the future.
On August 6th, a swathe of NXT talents were released from their WWE contracts including former NXt North American Champion Bronson Reed, Bobby Fish, and Mercedes Martinez. WWE has been cutting numbers on their roster significantly with many of the mass releases being put down to budget cuts within the company.
A new report from Fightful Select has given some insight into the mood of the stars left on the black and gold brand.
While unable to corroborate all the claims made in the report, Fightful stated that there has been a noted shift in the development of talent. As far as the morale on the brand goes, it was commented on that morale had taken hits before news broke of the recent round of releases with female talent mentioned as being concerned for their future as well as who could be hired to work with them once John Laurinaitis took over the Talent Relations department once again.
The report also mentions former Senior Director of Talent Development, Canyon Ceman who was also recently let go by WWE. According to Fightful once the news came that Ceman was going to be leaving the company, there were concerns about the direction of NXT’s future hiring. Seemingly certain names were passed on during tryouts with the company that those within NXT thought were going to be “slam dunks.”
One of NXT’s biggest stars Adam Cole has also recently been the cause of much speculation after it was reported that Cole’s contract with WWE expires after SummerSlam weekend. Cole was reportedly meeting with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon recently with both Raw and SmackDown seemingly potential destinations for the former NXT Champion.