WWE: Superstars and talent react to being heartlessly released
In a somewhat shocking surprise, WWE began releasing and furloughing talent today. The talent have started speaking out.
Today has been a whirlwind as word got out that WWE would be making cuts and furloughs around 12 PM ET. Following a five minute phone call to investors, talent began receiving word of their releases. Much like a leaky faucet, names have come in a flood and then in drips.
As the day progressed, we started hearing directly from the talent. These weren’t just names on a screen. As talent released heartfelt words, it began sinking in even more that these are people who not only lost their livelihoods, but the jobs that they have worked so hard for. Many people are in this same boat around the world and suddenly, these people became even more relatable.
Here’s a look of those who have spoken up so far.
Through tears, Drake Maverick announced that he’s still competing in the NXT Cruiserweight Tournament.
Lio Rush talked about his growth.
https://twitter.com/itsLioRush/status/1250495096862257155?s=20
Curt Hawkins helped us find some humor.
https://twitter.com/TheCurtHawkins/status/1250489735224623105?s=20
https://twitter.com/TheCurtHawkins/status/1250490557442461696?s=20
Man, a falls count anywhere match vs @LukeGallowsWWE at a VFW somewhere would really hit the spot right about now.
— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) April 15, 2020
Zack Ryder reflects:
The only thing I wanted to do in life was wrestle. I’m grateful I spent 14 years living my dream in WWE. Thanks to my fans & everyone who believed in me. As I was getting released, I was looking at this photo & smiling. I’m #AlwayzReady & beyond excited for the future. #NotThere pic.twitter.com/uKRVK7FboI
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) April 15, 2020
Kurt Angle, always stoic:
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
Even the producers aren’t safe. It appears that they will be furloughed and potentially brought back.
Hurricane Helms always wants to make the people smile.
https://twitter.com/ShaneHelmsCom/status/1250469737047474179?s=20
Thanks everyone for all the great messages. I truly believe that this is just temporary. There are many people in this world in far worse situations than I am, so please don’t worry about me too much. I’ll always be The Hurricane and I’m always just a tweet away. Love you all!
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/ShaneHelmsCom/status/1250534416063102978?s=20
Rusev confirmed his release, short and sweet.
Thank you All, Rusev out!
— Miro (@ToBeMiro) April 15, 2020
A more subdued No Way José.
https://twitter.com/WWENoWayJose/status/1250520576130613248?s=20
Fit Finlay contributed to WWE for decades:
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
To all my friends,fans. And family. This is a crazy time and I want to say thanks to @WWEUniverse and everyone I’ve ever shared ring time with, working with or teaching. Stay safe. Especially to all the amazing girls (women) I’ve had the honor to work with. Stay safe y’all.
— Fit Finlay (@ringfox1) April 15, 2020
Deonna Purrazzo was one of the first NXT Superstars to be released.
The people closest to me know this is something I’ve been struggling with wanting for the better part of the last year.
— The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) April 15, 2020
Happy to say I gave this journey my best and MORE excited for the future! ❤️
Heath Slater says goodbye after 16 years.
I know everyone is waiting to hear my response to my release from WWE but after 16 years I’m going to need a little more than a few hours to really digest all my thoughts and emotions. For now, thank you all for all of your kind words and support during this time.
— HEATHXXII (@HEATHXXII) April 15, 2020
The creative writer behind Otis and Mandy’s storyline was also released.
Lots of people getting let go at #WWE today and regrettably, I am one of them. But I'm proud of the work I've been able to do since starting in Dec., and glad that the storyline I worked on resonated with so many people. That's what writing is about for me. #OtisandMandyForever
— Andrea Listenberger (@andrea_ml) April 15, 2020
Alexsandar Jaksic was in NXT, but never made it to TV.
https://twitter.com/WWEAleksandar/status/1250518400033591300?s=20
Thank You To Every1,
— ZLV (@zoravesta) April 15, 2020
Who Reached Out.
I♥️YOU ALL!
~
When I arrived at NXT I said I was going to define this business.
I was going to go down as 1 of the Greatest Of All Time!
No stone was left unturned in my 7 months under contract.
I am 24 y/o.
MY STORY IS YET TO UNFOLD.
~
Z.V.
EC3 tweeted a whole character synopsis thread (six tweets total)
ec3 character synopsis
— ecIII (@therealec3) April 15, 2020
Created by a perfect storm of frustration, angst, restraint, solitude and the sense of losing everything, the character of ec3 forced himself to consider the inconceivable.
That he was defeated. pic.twitter.com/63vA5avDgg
Mike Kanellis stays positive about life.
https://twitter.com/RealMikeBennett/status/1250535454941892610?s=20
In typical Lance Storm fashion:
My best to all who, like me, lost their jobs today. To those still on the job, hold down the fort for us. It was my pleasure to work with you all these past 4 month. I hope we will all get a chance to work together again. Stay strong, stay safe.
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) April 15, 2020
Producer and talent school pro, Pat Buck:
https://twitter.com/buckneverstops/status/1250519651655835649?s=20
Producer Sarah Stock
We’re all a family, and that’s never been more apparent than right now. Love, gratitude, and respect. ❤️
— Sarah Stock (@SSDarkAngel) April 15, 2020
Sarah Logan says it all in a few words:
On-air talent, Josiah Williams:
My microphone is currently wide open! Now accepting voiceover opportunities, features for Christian Hip-Hop / clean music, interviews and more! Click the link below for more information.#StayPositive. ❤️https://t.co/G6pltm5ggz pic.twitter.com/qaRZ3PaUkX
— Josiah Williams is Black. (@JDeanWilliams) April 15, 2020
WWE announcer, Jerry Soto:
https://twitter.com/JerrySotoWWE/status/1250539500910055424?s=20
NXT Superstar MJ Jenkins:
https://twitter.com/RealMJJenkins_/status/1250559420158918661?s=20
Dolph Ziggler had a message for fans on how to support wrestlers that have been fired.
awesome wrestlers lost their job today, in the midst of everything going on it may not mean a lot to you & that’s ok. But it means a lot to me. If you can, root for them, checkout their @PWTees page & @BookCameo
— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) April 15, 2020
If u have a fav independent pro having a rough time, send their info
Unions, Morality, and Billionaires: A response to WWE releasing talent. dark. Next
It has been an emotionally draining day. For these cuts to come at a time like this, it’s even more cruel and heartbreaking. These cuts were unnecessary as WWE has said several times that they have $500 million on hand. Of course, if they really wanted to save money by releasing talent, they could’ve gone with Undertaker or Bill Goldberg.
WWE has a history of treating their talent horribly and it’s been on display time and time again over the last few weeks. They held live shows as long as they could during a pandemic. Then, they taped shows with no audience against Florida’s wishes, including WrestleMania. After Linda McMahon’s SuperPAC raised $18.5 million to reelect a WWE Hall of Famer, Gov. DeSantis magically deems WWE to be “essential”. They made Jerry Lawler, who had a literal heart attack on air, fly in to commentate Monday Night RAW. Days later, they begin firing and furloughing people. Did I mention there’s a global pandemic taking place?
Vince McMahon is a heartless man that only wants to pad his pockets. This is an evil power play by a vile man. His ego will eventually be his downfall.
Thank you to each and everyone who was released or furloughed today. To those of you still there, UNIONIZE. There are people that you can reach out to help you organize. You deserve better and now is the time to make it happen. Help yourselves and pave the way for the people behind you so that this never happens again.