Report: Reason WWE Released Dakota Kai, Malcolm Bivens & Harland Revealed

WWE held their latest round of releases today and 10 NXT talents were let go by the company, including Dexter Lumis, Dakota Kai, Malcolm Bivens, Harland, Persia Pirotta, Raelyn Divine, Mila Malani, Draco Anthony, Sanjana George, and Blair Baldwin. 

Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis made today's cuts, according to Fightful Select, with WWE citing budget cuts as the reason for the releases, as has become common in recent years.

An internal email stated: "Due to budgetary cuts, and with immediate effect as of today, 4/29/2022, we have come to the terms to release the following."

Fightful also shed more light on why Bivens, Kai and Harland were let go by WWE.

In regards to Bivens, he made it clear that he had no plans to re-sign with WWE. He initially made his intentions known in 2021 but re-signed following the pitch for Diamond Mine. He was offered a new deal in February but told WWE he wouldn't be re-signing with the company.

Dakota Kai reportedly saw her WWE release coming. She had made it known to WWE that she did not plan on signing a new deal with the organisation.

Harland was compared to a young Brock Lesnar before he signed with WWE in February 2021 and he made his TV debut following the NXT 2.0 revamp as Joe Gacy's muscle. Coaches and officials in WWE felt the former University of Central Florida offensive guard had "not progressed in the ring quite enough for their liking."

An NXT official also expressed their frustration to Fightful, noting their unhappiness that several storylines on the developmental brand had been impacted without much prior notice.

What is next for the released talents ultimately remains to be seen. Those let go have 30-day non-compete clauses.