Report: Real Reason WWE Released Several Major Names

WWE held major talent cuts on Thursday, September 21 that has seen over 20 wrestlers be released by the company, including the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Elias, Mustafa Ali, Emma, Riddick Moss, and Shelton Benjamin. 

The WWE cuts were ultimately held due to the company's merger with UFC under the TKO Group Holdings banner that was completed on Tuesday, September 12. WWE had already fired over 100 office employees on Friday, September 15.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided an insight into why WWE released the talents they did, though, writing: "The key to the releases were talent making main roster money but not being used on the main roster and with the idea that they were not going to be used in the future."

One WWE official told Meltzer: "It's time in vs. how much money you are paid vs. return on investment."

The full list of talents released by WWE is as follows:  

• Dolph Ziggler
• Elias
• Mustafa Ali
• Shelton Benjamin
• Top Dolla
• Riddick Moss
• Emma
• Aliyah
• Rick Boogs
• Quincy Elliott
• Bryson Montana
• Dana Brooke
• Mansoor (Mån.sôör)
• Mace (Ma.çé)
• Shanky
• Dabba-Kato (AKA Babatunde and Commander Azeez)
• Yulisa Leon
• Daniel McArthur
• Kevin Ventura-Cortez
• Alexis Gray
• Brooklyn Barlow
• Ikemen Jiro