Once again, I regret to inform you that this is not an article you’ve already read. I just wrote this one three weeks ago. WWE is once again making roster cuts, this time on Black Friday. If you’re losing track, there have been five rounds of cuts this year and six since the start of the pandemic. One of those rounds was for digital and social staff.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, rumors of more cuts started leaking. Much like the first round of cuts, it was like a leaky faucet: a few names trickling out before a downpour of names followed.
The releases are:
-Tony Nese
-Ariya Daivari
-Chase Parker and Matt Martel (Ever-Rise)
-August Grey
-Curt Stallion
-Marina Shafir
-Killian Dain
-Fandango
-Tyler Breeze
-Sunil and Samir Singh (Bollywood Boyz)
-Arturo Ruas
-Tino Sabbatelli
Imagine being a non-wrestling fan or a very casual fan and seeing WWE trending like once a week for firing people?
— Danny (@dajosc11) June 2, 2021
WWE mishandles Kenice Mobley
The very first cut was Kenice Mobley. She was one of two Black women writers that were recently hired. On a podcast, Mobley mentioned that she didn’t know anything about the product and said the WWE Champion was “Bobby Ashley” or Lashley. Of course, this turned to faux Twitter outrage.
WWE constantly says they’re an entertainment company, not a wrestling company. They have long hired TV writers who know nothing about the product. It’s not a secret that this is happening, so the reactions on Twitter were ridiculous. They also hired Freddie Prinze, Jr. who is a wrestling fan and actor. He lasted a year as a writer. So, let’s all relax.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful says that he’s been told that Mobley’s podcast appearance had little to do with her release. It’s hard to believe that, especially knowing how WWE is. She more or less exposed their hiring practices publicly. Let’s not forget that they hired her based on what they were looking for. Mobley is an easy scapegoat after public fallout.
On Friday, Mobley’s Twitter was private. I’m not sure if this was done in relation to the backlash, her firing, or was already private.
205 Live might actually be done
They have effectively gutted the 205 Live brand. Earlier this week, it was rumored that WWE had big plans for the Cruiserweights. It appeared to be true with the arrival of Diamond Mine. On Friday, they started out by releasing the backbone of the brand, Nese and Daivari.
I can tell you that gutting 205 Live was not one of the plans NXT had to further emphasize the Cruiserweight division
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 25, 2021
The releases kept coming and they’ve cut six men, eight if you count Ever-Rise. 205 Live has always had a tiny roster. As of right now, 205 Live has just four men on its roster: Asher Hale, Ari Sterling, Grayson Waller, and Ikemen Jiro.
As someone who has long championed the purple brand, this is beyond pathetic. For a show that WWE didn’t care about, 205 Live was consistently putting on great matches, had some of the best talent, and had cohesive storylines. They have always deserved much better.
Reactions after WWE releases more talent
Nese was the first Superstar to confirm their departure:
Welp.
— Tony Nese (@TonyNese) June 25, 2021
He followed up with a more serious tweet:
Thank you everyone! I don't care about how unwatched and underappreciated 205 was. I busted my ass every single time I stepped foot in the ring doing whatever was asked of me with no questions asked. I can't wait to be that type of employee for someone else.
— Tony Nese (@TonyNese) June 25, 2021
Daivari piggybacked off Nese’s tweet:
I was really enjoying what @TonyNese and I were doing as a tag team on 205. Every single time, we worked as hard as possible, despite the show not being highly positioned. That's what professionals do. And that's what we'll continue to do! https://t.co/zCgwr1oUJK
— Ariya Daivari (@AriyaDaivari) June 25, 2021
He also said:
Thank you all for the kind words and support. It's time to put sports entertainment behind me and get back professional wrestling.
— Ariya Daivari (@AriyaDaivari) June 25, 2021
I thought cracking my phone screen was the worst thing that was going to happen on this vacation 😬🍹 pic.twitter.com/k6jNuqtmkf
— Ariya Daivari (@AriyaDaivari) June 25, 2021
Their former #205Livers also chimed in:
Any company would benefit immensely with the addition of @AriyaDaivariWWE and @TonyNese! Brothers go kill it! pic.twitter.com/qwqkqWalvS
— “Lucha Lit” Lince Dorado (@LuchadorLD) June 25, 2021
Every time we stepped in the ring together it was always a blast. Love you bud
— PRIME Alexander (@CedricAlexander) June 25, 2021
One of the best I've ever been under those lights with
— BIFF Busick (@_starDESTROYER) June 25, 2021
I always appreciated it - and you - very much.
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) June 25, 2021
Bollywood Boyz comment on their release:
All the bumps, torn ACL’s, dislocated shoulders, it’s all been worth if for the last 5 years. And how ironic, we finished our last match with a shoulder hanging out of socket
— Bollywood Boyz (@BollywoodBoyz) June 25, 2021
It’s fitting we got fired while showing up for wrestling training - we love what we do, with a passion
I love the @BollywoodBoyz despite their constant hockey trolling of me on this app. Pumped to see what they do next. ❤️
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) June 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1409196390530572288?s=20
August Grey (aka Anthony Greene) had a hilarious response:
*BREAKING NEWS*
— Anthony Greene アンソニー・グリーン (@alternative_ag) June 25, 2021
Tonight’s @WWE205Live Main Event has just been turned into a LOSER LEAVES TOWN MATCH!
Don’t miss it!!! pic.twitter.com/SmApTs3ugu
Some of his former co-workers had nice words for him:
The loser will be the real winner. Trust me. https://t.co/Qt98w7tuyt
— Mike Bennett (@RealMikeBennett) June 25, 2021
Could AG be ROH bound?
— Anthony Greene アンソニー・グリーン (@alternative_ag) June 25, 2021
Brandi Lauren (FKA Skyler Story before being released in the last round of cuts) made a hilarious joke before deleting it:
Quickly deleted but an amazing tweet. pic.twitter.com/HYy3E78EVP
— Danny (@dajosc11) June 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/Carmelo_WWE/status/1408522061870514188?s=20
https://twitter.com/ashley__vox/status/1408531747353018369?s=20
Ava just had a tryout last month. Engaged to Anthony/August. pic.twitter.com/Qqa7UomzWj
— Danny (@dajosc11) June 25, 2021
Curt Stallion posted this:
— Stallion Rogers ☆ スタリオン・ロジャース (@CamronCRogers) June 25, 2021
Fandago’s gracious statement:
https://twitter.com/WWEFandango/status/1408503978472706048?s=20
While Tyler Breeze is yet to post a reaction, some others shared stories. He has retweeted a couple of them:
Tyler Breeze once busted my nose open in Madrid, Spain in front of 12,000 people
— Matthew Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) June 25, 2021
...and it's one of my favorite memories.
An amazing wrestler who's a pro wrestling coach with his own school as well as local real estate mogul.
Brother is the definition of "gonna be just fine"
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQkXsHkBy7Z/
Me talking to @MmmGorgeous about his 9,000 options https://t.co/j9jMKgtWYc
— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) June 26, 2021
Love the sexy cops. They can do anything & I don’t just mean in wrestling, I mean ANYTHING. Great dudes who get it & will be a huge addition to any locker room in the world 💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/7kk935bDg6
— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) June 26, 2021
Killian released a lengthy statement:
Chip is back on my shoulder.
— Big Damo (@DamoMackle) June 25, 2021
All future enquiries:
Damomackle@yahoo.com pic.twitter.com/HLp8ezk0Hu
Nikki Cross’ response:
The whole world is waiting for you my love.
— Nicola Glencross (@WWENikkiCross) June 25, 2021
I have seen your talent, your experience, your versatility, your work, your passion, your dedication, And your heart, first hand and up close.
I have the best seat in the house. I can’t wait to watch you unleashed. My man ❤️ https://t.co/My9ELsbz1f
Prior to any kind of statement from Ever-Rise, many others spoke out about them:
— BIG BRONSON REED (@BRONSONISHERE) June 25, 2021
#EverRise to @IMPACTWRESTLING
— Karl Anderson (@MachineGunKA) June 25, 2021
Signed, #TheMachineGun
On Saturday, they were back with another episode of their show:
The Show must go on! It’s Saturday morning! Get. A. Taste!! https://t.co/K07T5nOGxh via @YouTube @ChaseParkerWWE
— Daddy Magic (@theDaddyMagic) June 26, 2021
It’s been an honour to share a locker room with you two talented and hilarious bastards. @Folgers get. A. Taste!
— Kyle O'Reilly (@KORcombat) June 26, 2021
According to Fightful Select, Ruas was originally slated to be part of Diamond Mine. There were plans for Shafir to be a female enforcer.
Marina Shafir waited until the following day to express her feelings:
It’s a cold world. Good thing I was born in Moldova. Thank you to everyone who reached out and thank you for the opportunity @WWENXT. I will continue to be the hardest worker in the motherfucking room, but now i need to be keen. I’m not done.
— Marina Shafir (@MarinaShafir) June 26, 2021
Arturo Ruas also spoke out on Saturday:
First of all I want to thank all my friends and fans for all the kind words and support!! Means a lot to me! Also want to thank @WWE for all this years where I had the opportunity to meet great people and learn from the best!
— Tiger Ruas (@adrianjaoude) June 26, 2021
Can’t wait for what’s coming next!!
See you soon!!
These days break my heart 💔
— Ivar (@Ivar_WWE) June 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/AlexaBliss_WWE/status/1408534693314695183?s=20
Josiah Williams, who was recently released:
I need to remind you, and I need to remind myself, that this is NOT the end of the road. Your current situation does NOT define who you are. Your value and your worth is NOT lowered because of someone else’s decisions.
— Josiah Williams is Black. (@JDeanWilliams) June 25, 2021
I really hope this is the last article I have to write like this for the year, but the way things have been going for the last few months, I’m not holding my breath.
Be sure to support released talent however you can whether it’s retweets and likes, buying their merch, subscribing to their Patreon, or going to see them once they start taking bookings. This isn’t the end for many of them.
As always, follow Daily DDT for the latest.