(Updated as of 2:24pm ET)
Following a video call and press release detailing the impact of COVID-19 on the company’s finances, WWE has publicly announced the releases of:
- Kurt Angle
- Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt)
- Drake Maverick (James Curtin) – Maverick indicates he will still be competing in the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament
- Heath Slater (Heath Miller)
- Lio Rush (Lionel Green)
- Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra)
- Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz)
- Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson)
- Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers)
- EC3 (Michael Hutter)
- Mike Chioda
- Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe)
- Rowan (Joseph Ruud)
- Primo (Edwin Colon)
- Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves)
- Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett)
- Maria Kanellis
- Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona)
- No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela)
- Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev)
The following talents aren’t listed in the article but are also believed to have been released:
- Deonna Purrazzo
- Aleksandar Jaksic — competed on WWE’s NXT brand and worked the house show circuit with Tehuti Miles.
- MJ Jenkins (Monique Jacqueline Williams-Jenkins)
- Jerry Soto — WWE spanish announce team member.
- Josiah Williams — NXT’s content innovation lab at the Performance Center
- Serena Deeb — Performance Center coach and trainer
The people closest to me know this is something I’ve been struggling with wanting for the better part of the last year.
Happy to say I gave this journey my best and MORE excited for the future! ❤️
— The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) April 15, 2020
Sometimes Life Does Not Seem Real.
& No Matter How Hard You Work,
It Sometimes Is Not Enough.🤍 MY WWE FAMILY 💙
„Until one of our lights is forever extinguished, our dance will never end.“
GOODBYE, @WWENXT.
— LONELY GOD (@WWEAleksandar) April 15, 2020
Several talents took to Twitter to share their reaction upon hearing the news:
My immediate thoughts.@WWE @WWENXT #WWE #NXT @TripleH @ShawnMichaels #Cruiserweight pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1
— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) April 15, 2020
To all of my fellow co workers, whatever happens today or the remainder of this week….just know, we’re all going to be good. 🙏🏽 Once a family, forever a family. #Wrestling
— Lio (@itsLioRush) April 15, 2020
#LioRush 🦋 pic.twitter.com/Jo0BVNWhfo
— Lio (@itsLioRush) April 15, 2020
Last time I got fired I had a really funny tweet in response to it. Doesn’t really feel appropriate today. I will say this, a lot of very talented ppl lost their jobs today and out of this disaster the PRO WRESTLING community will rise stronger than ever! 🤘🏻
— Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) April 15, 2020
I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They’re the best fans in the world. #itstrue
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 15, 2020
Love you all 💜💜 #ThankYou @WWE @WWENXT pic.twitter.com/1elDFcDygO
— No Way Jose (@WWENoWayJose) April 15, 2020
Thank you All, Rusev out!
— Miro (@RusevBUL) April 15, 2020
I LOVE YOU ALL 🙏🏻❤️ #WWE @WWE pic.twitter.com/l6lQz1ynEn
— Miracle (@RealMikeBennett) April 15, 2020
The cuts and furloughs will save WWE $4 million a month and increase its cash flow by $140 million through delaying a move to its new headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
