Just when you thought WWE couldn’t possibly release any more talent this year, the unthinkable happened yesterday evening with a whole slew of WWE superstars released from WWE following an earnings call which boasted of an expected 2021 profit of over $300m+ for the company.
By now we should be used to news like this but with so many diverse and talented athletes on the chopping block due to “budget cuts” we can’t help but feel angered and somewhat confused by the news.
Yesterday saw the release of Scarlett, Franky Monet, Ember Moon, B-Fab, Jessi Kamea, Zayda Ramier, Katrina Cortez, Eva Marie, Nia Jax and Mia Yim from their WWE contracts amongst huge names like Keith Lee, Oney Lorcan and Karrion Kross.
One of the most frustrating things this time around is the sheer diversity in the women released. Each female superstar was completely different to the next be it skill level, wrestling style, background or representation and quite honestly it sucks to see that talent go to waste.
One of the biggest surprises has to be the release of former RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax who most recently had on on screen angle with former friend and Women’s Tag Team Championship partner Shayna Baszler which saw Jax taken out by her former friend due to injury. Like Nia Jax before her, Eva Marie was also side-lined by Baszler in recent weeks before becoming a free agent which seemed to be the next angle for the newly returned superstar.
If Nia Jax’s release wasn’t enough to shock the WWE Universe it was revealed that SmackDown’s newest superstar B-Fab of fan favourite faction Hit Row was also released just weeks after debuting on the blue brand. Surprisingly B-Fab was the only member of Hit Row to be released and given that B-Fab provides the vocals to the opening of the groups entrance theme as well as playing an integral part of their NXT run I can’t help but sit here confused and disappointed.
Whilst I may also be infuriated by the releases of the likes of Franky Monet, Scarlett, Mia Yim and Ember Moon I can’t wait to see what they do when they aren’t limited by the higher ups in WWE and have absolutely no doubt they will smash it wherever they go.
Seeing talents like Jessi Kamea, Zayda Ramier and Katrina Cortez released is what truly sucks the most in this situation seeing as we never really got to see them in full swing. I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of them in the ring nor the women as mentioned above but you can’t help but feel conned when these women could have been the foundation of the next generation of women’s wrestling in WWE.
Be sure to support the released talent by sharing their social media accounts, buying their merch or just letting them know what they meant to you as a superstar. Here’s hoping this is the last round of releases in quite a long time!