WWE has come to terms with the release of multiple WWE superstars. Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Heath Slater, Eric Young, EC3 and Lio Rush have been let go as part of promised roster cuts released in a statement earlier in the afternoon. Maverick is the most shocking as he was just announced for the NXT Cruiserweight title tournament earlier this week, he will take part in it despite this news.
WWE has since released a statement about these listed superstars being let go:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson), Heath Slater (Heath Miller), Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz), EC3 (Michael Hutter) and Lio Rush (Lionel Green). We wish them all the best in their future endeavours
BREAKING: WWE has come to terms on the release of Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), EC3 (Michael Hutter) and Lio Rush (Lionel Green). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. https://t.co/cX449nNSLU
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2020
These releases have come following a report from WWE Corporate earlier today where they announced they were making cuts and furloughing employees to save approximately $4 million a month and $140 million overall cash flow improvement. As part of the report they also revealed:
- Reducing executive and board member compensation;
- Decreasing operating expenses;
- Cutting talent expenses, third party staffing and consulting;
- Deferring spend on the build-out of the Company’s new headquarters for at least six months.
My immediate thoughts.@WWE @WWENXT #WWE #NXT @TripleH @ShawnMichaels #Cruiserweight pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1
— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) April 15, 2020
UPDATE: Producers Kurt Angle and Pat Buck, announcer Aiden English, Sarah Logan, referee Mike Chioda, Primo, Epico, Rowan, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, Zack Ryder and No Way Jose have been added to the list of names released by WWE.
Producers Shane “Hurricane” Helms, Lance Storm and Fit Finlay were released too. Billy Kidman, Mike Rotunda, Shawn Daivari, Scott Armstrong and Sarah Stock are announced to be whether furloughed or released. Writer Andrea Listenberger and Spanish announcer Jerry Soto are also out.
To everyone on Gods green earth. Thank you for the kind words. I’ve been doing this for 46 years(Wrestling)I pray you all get through this and we can share a hug and drink again. Stay healthy. (SD)
— Fit Finlay (@ringfox1) April 15, 2020
WWE announced a few minutes ago the release of Rusev. German NXT talent Aleksandar Jaksic, MJ Jenkins and Deonna Purrazzo confirmed their release on Twitter, as well as NXT announcer Josiah Williams. WWE PC Coach Norman Smiley confirmed on Twitter his release, PC trainers Serena Deeb, Kendo Kashin and Ace Steel are also announced to be cut.
We will continue to update this story as more details come to light.
All images courtesy of WWE