WWE cut several performers from the roster on Friday, creating an online discourse that continued throughout the weekend. Fans, performers, and media members alike were looking for an explanation as speculation about who was cut and why ran wild. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer provided some context that further heated the debate on Sunday.
In total, 16 performers were released and Shotzi Blackheart was informed that her contract would not be renewed. Meltzer spoke about the situation during the Wrestling Observer Radio with two quotes standing out on the matter.
“Many of those cut were perceived as not working hard in training,” Meltzer said in reference to the NXT cuts. “And if you don’t work hard in training, there’s so many people who do. And at this point, if the feeling is you’re not working hard in training – I saw the term ‘lazy’ the ones who are lazy are gong be gone, and the ones who didn’t stand out are gonna be gone.”
That’s quite a statement. So much so, it caused Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade to comment on the feed, pushing back on the quote.
“When I wasn’t traveling to work for either of the two companies I was working for, I trained very hard 3-4 days a week, bumping my ass off and doing cardio drills with one of the best/toughest coaches I’ve worked with,” Dolin posted. “And worked out every single day. With live events every other weekend. So yeah, I don’t wanna hear this lol. The way my body feels says otherwise.”
“This,” Cora Jade added. “Plus, can’t forget having to go o my own gym outside of work after ‘strength and conditioning’ that wasn’t doing anything for me other than get me body shamed by my bosses, coworkers, and fans. Crazy!”
There’s a lot to unpack in those statements and none of it can be ignored. WWE has long been accused of having a toxic work environment in a variety of ways. The expectations around training and who is considered “lazy” and such as been a topic in many interviews and documentaries. Several “trainers” have been released over the years for harsh training methods and problematic actions backstage. Jade’s comment about being “body shamed” by bosses and coworkers harkens back to the problematic culture that is being called out in two major lawsuits the company faces right this moment.
Dave Meltzer points to age and salary as reasons for cuts
“Essentially, the cuts are being made because – a lot of it has to do with guys and women getting up in age,” Meltzer said. “And they’re looking at people who they’re not gonna use well compared to their salary going forward.”
Now, this is a statement that could make sense in the space of professional sports and entertainment. Teams across sports often release players late in their career, especially those whose contracts come with heavy financial burdens.
Yet, that doesn’t fully make sense in this situation as well. Several of the names released where 30 years of age and younger. Shotzi Blackheart is 33, Eddy Thorpe is 34, and Dakota Kai is 36. In terms of professional wrestling, each of those performers are in their prime. While it makes sense that some may not be progressing in the ring as well as others, using the idea of someone’s age as a determining factor is a disturbing call out.
This is the same organization that frequently uses older men, well into their 40s and 50s. There’s speculation that Bill Goldberg is being brought back for a retirement run, and he’s nearly 60.
Also, this doesn’t help the perception of WWE’s toxic culture when it comes to women in the company. Can women expect to be forced out when they are reaching 35 or older? Will they get to compete well into and beyond their athletic prime like their male counterparts? Right now, that doesn’t seem likely to be the case.
Releases and contract expirations are a part of professional sports and entertainment. However, WWE continues to give fans and performers more reason to hate the organization for how it manages roster cuts and terminations. It is clear these moves were part of financial decision making to secure up the books for the upcoming presentation to shareholders. And when shareholders are the primary concern, those down the pole are harmed, just as in this situation.