Friday, April 24, marked an incredibly challenging night for WWE employees and fans alike as the company executed its customary post-WrestleMania talent cuts. Unfortunately, these annual layoffs have become a staple of the WWE calendar, with many within the locker room speculating that the releases would occur at any moment throughout the week. This was confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, who reported that the cuts were a well-known possibility among WWE talent.
Nikki Cross Announces Departure and Multiple Releases Follow
Former WWE Women’s Champion Nikki Cross was the first to announce her departure from the company, making her announcement on her X account at 5:21 p.m. ET. Cross’s post came approximately 20 minutes after WWE began notifying two dozen wrestlers that they would be released or that their contracts would not be renewed.
As the news spread, it quickly became clear that several key figures were also leaving WWE. Among those released were members of the Wyatt family, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, and the Motor City Machine Guns, alongside a number of other wrestlers.
Why These Cuts Were Made: The WWE Perspective
The reasoning behind these cuts has been the subject of considerable discussion. While there was much speculation that TKO (the parent company) had made the final decisions, Sean Ross Sapp clarified that the cuts were ultimately made at the WWE level, with the company’s leadership team handling the decisions.
WWE President and Chief Content Officer Triple H, along with Nick Khan and the WWE Talent Relations department, were identified as the primary decision-makers behind the releases. According to WWE sources, the cuts were necessary to make room for new talent and, in part, due to the rumored reduction of SmackDown to a two-hour show in the near future, as reported by BodySlam.
A Disproportionate Impact on SmackDown Stars
Interestingly, the cuts appeared to hit SmackDown stars more than their Raw counterparts, with a greater number of releases coming from the SmackDown roster. This is especially notable as both brands received an influx of new talent from NXT, including Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, Joe Hendry, Fatal Influence, Blake Monroe, and Ricky Saints.
Additionally, several releases came from the NXT developmental level, where a new class of recruits is expected at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in the near future. The company’s focus on the next generation of talent at the Performance Center may have prompted these changes.
Surprising Releases: Santos Escobar and Zoey Stark
Some releases were particularly surprising. Santos Escobar, for instance, was re-signed to a lucrative contract just last year but was rarely used on WWE’s main roster. Escobar also made appearances for AAA before an injury sidelined him, requiring surgery and a recovery period that could last for several more months.
Despite his status as a major signing, WWE made the decision to part ways with him, which has raised eyebrows considering his untapped potential. Another notable name released was Zoey Stark. After suffering a serious knee injury in a Money in the Bank qualifying match last May, Stark tore her ACL and MCL.
Sources indicated that she was recently cleared to return to the ring, which has caused some confusion as to why WWE decided to part ways with her now. However, Stark will be eligible to return to the free-agent market once her required notice period ends in 90 days.
Kairi Sane’s Release and the WWE Universe’s Response
Among the most shocking departures was that of Kairi Sane, a multi-time Women’s Tag Team Champion who had been heavily involved in the ongoing rivalry between IYO SKY and Asuka on Monday Night Raw. The decision to release her before the storyline could reach a payoff frustrated many fans, with Fightful Select reporting the sentiment shared by several within the WWE locker room.
Sane has garnered substantial support from her friends and fans on social media, with the hashtag “WeWantKairi” trending on X throughout the weekend. Her departure, coming at a time when she was so prominently featured in WWE’s women’s division, has left many questioning WWE’s decision to part ways with her at this juncture.
The talent cuts made by WWE on April 24 highlight the difficult nature of the wrestling industry, where roster changes are frequent, especially after major events like WrestleMania. While some of the releases were expected, others came as a surprise, particularly given the talent involved.
For fans and employees alike, these cuts signal the ever-evolving nature of WWE, with the company constantly adapting its roster to meet new challenges, including potential show changes and the introduction of new talent from NXT.
The reactions from fans and fellow wrestlers alike underscore the emotional toll these releases can have, and it remains to be seen how WWE will handle these transitions moving forward.
