WWE could well be planning more cuts to their talent roster following on from their recent roster downsizing on both the main shows and NXT according to a new report.
Fightful Select has reported that the cost-cutting measures could be happening as early as this week. The report also notes that WWE sources have confirmed there is a working list including some ‘major names’ that are being considered for their release from the company. Although WWE has been known to change its mind on releases at the last minute.
On April 15th, 2021 for the second successive year, WWE gave several of their superstars their release from the company. Stars such as Samoa Joe, The IIconics, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas, and Wesley Blake were all let go. The release of Mickie James sparked headlines around the wrestling world after she tweeted about her belongings being returned to her in a trash bag.
Those releases came only days after WWE granted former NXT Champion Andrade his release after he requested to leave the company. The cuts in the company did not stop there as in May WWE cleared some of the decks in NXT by releasing Jessamyn Duke, Vanessa Borne, EJ Nduku, Skyler Story, and controversial referee Drake Wuertz.
In the days following that former NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream was released and Alexander Wolfe’s contract was allowed to expire. Following his release, Velveteen Dream issued a lengthy statement addressing serious allegations of misconduct that he had faced over the last year.
One other name whose current status is up in the air is that of former WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. Bryan lost a WWE Universal Title match against Roman Reigns where the stipulation said if Bryan lost he would be ‘banished’ from SmackDown. After that defeat, rumours circulated that Bryan’s contract with WWE has now expired meaning that he would be a free agent at a time when the battle for talent between companies has never been hotter.