Today has been a day like never before. The World Wrestling Entertainment brand over the years have had "release days," in the past where four or five talents have been cut.
Today, as of 4:10 PM, twenty-five men and women have either been out right released or furloughed. Among the names: Rusev, Kurt Angle, Erick Rowan, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Just days ago, WWE was granted an "Essential Service," and were granted the rights to continue broadcasting live from their production facility at Full Sail University, home of NXT and now Raw and SmackDown.
So why now? Why the cuts today? To save money? When they have $500 million in reserve (per Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer,)? Both Vince McMahon & wife Linda McMahon are connected to the Trump party. Linda works for Trumps re-election campaign, while Vince is on an advisory board on how and when to reopen the US economy.
In my opinion, it is very telling of where the lock down is going by the releasing of so many talents, for a company that has such a reserve. I think what was discussed in those meetings have scared Vince - meaning, we're a lot further away from the national lock down then what we think.
We'll continue to update this list as they are reported.
WWE Firings:
In Ring Talent:
Drake Maverick
Curt Hawkins
Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows
EC3
Lio Rush
Heath Slater
Eric Young
Aiden English
Erick Rowan
Epico
Zack Ryder
The Colons
The Kanellis
No Way Jose
Sarah Logan
Kurt Angle
Rusev
Deonna Purrazzo
Aleksandr
Agents/Office:
Furloughed
Lance Storm
Billy Kidman
Shane Hurricane Helms
Fit Finlay
Scott Armstrong
Sarah Stock
Shawn Daivari
Mike IRS Rotunda
Pat Buck