Report: WWE Talent "Stunned" By Ezra Judge's WWE Release

Several NXT Superstars and developmental talents were released by WWE yesterday and Alexander Wolfe, Vanessa Borne, Kavita Devi, Jessamyn Duke, Skyler Story and Ezra Judge have all been let go by the company. Referees Drake Wuertz and Jake Clemons were also released. 

According to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Ezra Judge's release "stunned" people in WWE and the developmental talent was said to have the physical attributes to be a big star in the business. 

Real name E. J. Nduka, Judge previously played American football in college, first for Jacksonville University before he transferred to Sam Houston State. He was then invited to the 2012 NFL Combine, but wasn't signed following the draft and he played arena football before turning his attention to bodybuilding.

Nduka won numerous bodybuilding competitions and came fourth in the Men's Physique Professional Division at the World Championships. This ultimately caught WWE's attention and he attended several tryouts before he signed with the company in August 2019.

Following his release, Judge tweeted that he will be back, writing: "I may be down but never OUT... Bent but not DESTROYED... The GRIND continues. #BUILTFORTHIS I didn't come this far .. JUST TO COME THIS FAR. Until next time. Thank you all. Love you all. I'll be back."