Cuts through WWE Raw, Smackdown, and NXT roster continues over various reasons while the company shows budget cut reasons behind those. A number of talents across all the three brands of the WWE were released, overnight including former champions and some top names. It was noted that these multiple Superstars releases happened over the COVID-19 vaccine.
In total, 18 superstars from WWE Raw, Smackdown and NXT were let go. The names who aren’t WWE Superstars, anymore are – Karrion Kross, Scarlett Boudreaux, “B-Fab” Briana Brandy, Gran Metalik, Lince Dorado, Eva Marie, Keith Lee, Mia Yim, Nia Jax, Harry Smith, Oney Lorcan, Franky Monet, Ember Moon, Trey Baxter, Jessi Kamea, Jeet Rama, Zayda Ramier, and Katrina Cortez.
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WWE Talent Relations head John Laurinaitis issued a company-wide e-mail and to those released names and other talents from WWE Raw/Smackdown to let everyone know that these cuts were made due to budget-related issues.
But then Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast reported that the belief within WWE is that at least four talents were released due to not getting vaccinated. The names of those four superstars weren’t updated and there’s no update available either on whether they’re from WWE Raw or Smackdown or NXT. More updates on these releases are expected in due course.
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No one on WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT is safe
An earlier report from @Wrestlevotes noted that WWE was already planning to release a small number of talent. It was described as another uneasy day at WWE HQ in Stamford, Connecticut.
Apart from WWE Raw/Smackdown Superstars, a long-time WWE Senior Vice President of Creative Services Stan Stanski was reportedly released on Wednesday evening, according to PWInsider. Stanski had been with the company for almost 15 years and hence this departure shocked many within the company. One person described the situation as “the ultimate proof no one is safe” and “yet another reminder this isn’t the same company it was a year ago.”
Many more cuts were expected following this release and the same was followed up with a number of departures from WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT that has now been confirmed. Amid all of these releases, Stanski was reportedly the most high-profile release from the company.
