Most years, WWE has a clear-out of unused talent in order to make space for upcoming stars from NXT and to generally save money on contracts. Last year saw the biggest in a few years, with wrestlers such as Drew McIntyre being released. It is likely that some will also unfortunately lose their contracts with World Wrestling Entertainment in the coming months, but who will be cut?
Bam Smack Pow
Heath Slater
Slater escaped the cuts last year despite his two teammates, McIntyre and Jinder Mahal, losing their jobs. However, the company’s go-to jobber has recently been accused of assault and has an arrest warrant against him. Whether these allegations are true or not, it is bad publicity for WWE and Heath Slater is not one of the most valued stars in the company. Expect him to be following his former 3MB members back to the independent circuit after this year.
Fandango
The character of Fandango has not been a success by any means. He had his fifteen minutes of fame in a WrestleMania feud with Chris Jericho two years ago, but after this the only memorable thing about his character was his annoyingly catchy entrance music. He’s recently changed up his gimmick (and his theme music) and is in a dead-end pairing with Rosa Mendes. His saving grace could be if he is featured often in the next series of ‘Total Divas’ alongside Rosa, but if this does not happen then he could be the next to be released.
Layla
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The list of Divas will certainly be looked at if WWE decides to have a clear-out of talent. Currently, only three women on the main roster are not a part of the ‘Total Divas’ cast and are the likely targets. AJ Lee will not be released from her contract: she is the most popular female wrestler of the past few years and if she leaves the company, it will be of her own accord. Emma is also useful as a popular babyface to job to a heel Total Diva when promoting the show. This leaves only the option of Layla. She has had a decent career for a female wrestler, but things have gone downhill ever since the tag team of LayCool split. Layla will also turn 38 in 2015, meaning that if she is released in the next year she will still have a possible few years left in another company where she actually gets the opportunity to wrestle in meaningful matches.
It is of course sad to see anyone lose their job, and wrestlers are no exception, but it is something that must be done on occasion. Who would you be surprised to see still with WWE at the end of this year?