UPDATE: Complete List Of WWE Talent Released
The releases come after Vince McMahon promised cutbacks across the board...
Apr 18, 2020
WWE have released a whole host of talent over the past few days. Here is the full list as things stand:
- Drake Maverick (James Curtin) - Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers) - Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra) - Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson) - Heath Slater (Heath Miller) - Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt) - Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz) - EC3 (Michael Hutter) - Lio Rush (Lionel Green) - Kurt Angle - Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe) - Mike Chioda - Primo (Edwin Colon) - Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves) - Rowan (Joseph Ruud) - Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett) - Maria Kanellis - Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona) - No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela) - Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev) - Deonna Purrazzo - Aleksandar Jaksic - MJ Jenkins - Taynara Conti (Taynara Melo de Carvalho) - Tino Sabbatelli (Sabatino Piscitelli) - Nick Ogarelli (Nick Comoroto) - Cezar Bononi - Mars Wang (Xiaolong Wang) - Dorian Mak (Dan Matha) Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has confirmed that NXT performer and coach Kassius Ohno is part of this week's layoffs. It's unconfirmed at this time if he's been released outright, or is on a furlough like other producers and trainers. However, Ohno did change his Twitter name to "WWE Alumni", and his profile on the company's website was moved to the Alumni section, something that was first noticed a few days ago. PWInsider are reporting that Performance Center trainees Mohamed Abdelfattah aka Mohamed Fahim, Marcos Gomes, Faisal Kurdi, Edgar Lopez, Hussain Aldaga, and Yifeng could have all been released as their names have been removed from the PC's website.
NXT announcer Jerry Soto announced that he has been placed on furlough leave.
Fightful are also reporting: "NXT talent is being provided 30 days of pay and then are free to do whatever they want." Nine backstage producers have been put on furlough leave - news confirmed by both PWInsider and Figure Four Online.
Pro Wrestling Sheet earlier tweeted the following: "According to sources, the producers seem to have all been furloughed ... not let go from the company entirely."
- Dave (Fit) Finlay - Lance Storm - Mike Rotunda - Shane (Hurricane) Helms - Scott Armstrong - Pat Buck - Sarah Stock - Shawn Davari - Billy Kidman
Per Figure Four Online, three Performance Center coaches have been placed on furlough leave: - Ace Steel (Chris Guy) - Serena Deeb - Kendo Kashin (Tokimitsu Ishizawa)
Andrea Listenberger, a writer for WWE, has also confirmed on her Twitter that she has been released.
PWInsider had their fingers on the pulse of the conference call and learned the following:
- McMahon just announced cutbacks and furloughs for WWE staff and the company overall, stating that these were hard decisions that reflect the current reality.
- McMahon stated the company would be cutting back on pay for Board Members and Executives.
- Plans to move WWE Headquarters out of Titan Tower to the new HQ in Stamford, CT have been delayed.
- McMahon also stated they would be cutting the talent roster and overall head count of employees. Some will go on furlough. Others will be let go from their responsibilities. Employees will receive texts about where they stand going forward.
PWInsider also reported that the call lasted all of five minutes.