Dark Day For Wrestling As WWE Laid Off A Large Number of Talent

Yesterday (Wednesday 15th April) was a dark day in wrestling as WWE released a large number of talent from both behind and in front of the camera.

The perfect summery of the day was Drake Maverick posting an emotional and moving video of someone who’s lost his job to a virus that has taken so much already. Everyone of got the same text could easily echo his words.

My immediate thoughts.@WWE @WWENXT #WWE #NXT @TripleH @ShawnMichaels #Cruiserweight pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1

— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) April 15, 2020

Now is not the time to speculate where they’ll go next as I’m sure plenty will return to WWE once everything has returned to some normality.

The biggest name released was Rusev, a superstar fans loved and helped get Rusev Day over. Will now be seen as one of the biggest missed opportunities by the company to present as a main eventer.

It wasn’t just newer, underused talent. It was also long-timers like Heath Slater who’s been with WWE for 16 years and Zack Ryder, who showed the industry how fantastic a tool the internet could be when engaging with fans.

I know everyone is waiting to hear my response to my release from WWE but after 16 years I’m going to need a little more than a few hours to really digest all my thoughts and emotions. For now, thank you all for all of your kind words and support during this time.

— Heath Slater (@HeathSlaterOMRB) April 15, 2020

Roster talent weren’t the only one’s release. A large number of producers and agents were let go including, Fit Finley, who one of the main reason why the women’s side of the product is WWE’s biggest driving force.

There was also a writer among the layoffs called Andrea Listenberger who worked on one of the biggest storylines going into Wrestlemania, the Otis and Mandy love story.

Lots of people getting let go at #WWE 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. #OtisandMandyForever

— Andrea Listenberger (@andrea_ml) April 15, 2020

32-year long veteran referee Mike Chioda was also let go.

The only bright news on this dark day was Pro Wrestling Sheet reporting the producers are seemingly on furloughed and not released with PWInsider had confirmed nine names to be furloughed.

According to sources, the producers seem to have all been furloughed … not let go from the company entirely.

— Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) April 15, 2020

They include: Fit Finlay, Lance Storm, Mike Rotunda, Shane Helms, Scott Armstrong, Pat Buck, Sarah Stock, Shawn Davari and Billy Kidman.

This day was always going to come, people were sadly going to lose their jobs, but I do believe of a large number of producers and talent it’s a short-term thing, and when the show can go back on the road, they’ll return.

However, sadly I don’t see this being the end of the layoffs and I hope I’m wrong, but as Stephen Gavin pointed out, we could be seeing more talent released on the Smackdown side.

So, this seems to have flown under the radar, but…

With the exception of possibly Ryder (I’m not sure what show he was technically on), every single roster cut today came from RAW.

Reports from the morning call said 30 talent, and we are not there yet. SD cuts coming?

— Stephen Gavin (@GavinRamblesOn) April 16, 2020

Here’s a full of list of WWE talent released

Rusev
Drake Maverick
Curt Hawkins
Karl Anderson
Luke Gallows
Heath Slater
Aiden English
Eric Young
No Way Jose
EC3
Lio Rush
Kurt Angle
Sarah Logan
Mike Chioda
Primo
Epico
Eric Rowan
Mike Kanellis
Maria Kanellis
Zack Ryder
Deonna Purrazzo
Aleksandar Jaksic

Three Performance Centre coaches have been placed on furlough via Per Figure Four Online.

Ace Steel (Chris Guy)
Serena Deeb
Kendo Kashin (Tokimitsu Ishizawa)