When WWE announced earlier today that they’d be making some heavy cuts, it was inevitable that some current WWE talent would be wished well in their future endeavors. Well, we didn’t have to wait long. The company has announced multiple releases effective immediately with the following statement:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Kurt Angle, Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev), Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson), Heath Slater (Heath Miller), Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz), Rowan (Joseph Ruud), Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe), No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela), Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett), Maria Kanellis, EC3 (Michael Hutter), Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt), Lio Rush (Lionel Green), Primo (Edwin Colon) and Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Considering recent programming, it’s notable to see some of these names depart. Both Drake Maverick and Lio Rush were announced as participants in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament last week, and Lio was a regular part of recent NXT broadcasts.
Meanwhile, the Good Brothers were recently involved in one of WrestleMania 36’s most notable matches, the Boneyard encounter between AJ Styles and The Undertaker. Talents such as No Way Jose and Sarah Logan flew out to compete on Monday Night RAW earlier this week and are now out of work.
Longtime talent leaving the company also includes Epico and Primo, who haven’t been seen on TV in some time, and Mike Chioda, a referee who has been with WWE since the late 1980s, making him the most tenured official in company history.
WWE isn’t stopping at wrestlers either, furloughing a number of backstage producers in separate cuts. Those names include Finlay, Lance Storm, Divari, and Shane Helms, among others.
Also on the chopping block are NXT stars who have yet to really make their mark, including MJ Jenkins, Aleksandar Jaksic, Deonna Purrazzo, and interviewer Josiah Williams. It’s being reported by Fightful that “NXT talent is being provided 30 days of pay and then are free to do whatever they want.”
Covid-19 has been devastating for me & my family. My brother in law; who was my legal guardian passed away to Covid-19.
Today, Covid-19 stripped me of my dream job. Feels like life is being sucked from me.
Thank you to everyone that has reached out. Be safe and stay strong.?
— MJ Jenkins (@RealMJJenkins_) April 15, 2020
My microphone is currently wide open! Now accepting voiceover opportunities, features for Christian Hip-Hop / clean music, interviews and more! Click the link below for more information.#StayPositive. ❤️https://t.co/G6pltm5ggz pic.twitter.com/qaRZ3PaUkX
— Josiah Williams is Black. (@JDeanWilliams) April 15, 2020
The people closest to me know this is something I’ve been struggling with wanting for the better part of the last year.
Happy to say I gave this journey my best and MORE excited for the future! ❤️
— The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) April 15, 2020
Sometimes Life Does Not Seem Real.
& No Matter How Hard You Work,
It Sometimes Is Not Enough.? MY WWE FAMILY ?
„Until one of our lights is forever extinguished, our dance will never end.“
GOODBYE, @WWENXT.
— ZLV (@zoravesta) April 15, 2020
Needless to say, WrestleZone wishes everyone affected by these layoffs the best and hope these talented individuals can land on their feet in these uncertain times.
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