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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 12:54:06 GMT -6
WWE has come to terms on the release of the following Superstars as of today, June 12, 2014:
Drew McIntyre Jinder Mahal Aksana Curt Hawkins Theodore Long Camacho Brodus Clay Evan Bourne Yoshi Tatsu Marc Harris (referee)
WWE wishes them the best in all their future endeavors.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 13:02:40 GMT -6
www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/37450-wwe-releases-a-number-of-performers-as-black-friday-comes-earlyWWE releases a number of performers as Black Friday comes early Thursday, 12 June 2014 09:02 An episode of Black Friday came a day early this week. WWE has not have a massive release of talent in a long time, to the point the only talent that had been let go were usually people whose contracts had expired and weren't being used. The number of releases are likely a casualty of cost cutting since the company was projecting losing $45 million to $52 million thi year. Names released so far today are: Aksana - She never really improved past a certain level as a wrestler. With Alicia Fox breaking up the team this week, there was no apparent role for her. Then again, Rosa Mendes seems to have survived with even less of a role and more drama. Evan Bourne - He hadn't been used in seemingly years, since a serious foot injury put him out for a long time. It's probably the best for all concerned because if he is healthy, and he was cleared some time back, he could be a very strong addition to either a TNA or ROH roster. They clearly had no interest in using him for a long time. Camacho - He had been used only in NXT of late and had no role since Hunico became the second Sin Cara. Brodus Clay - He was turned heel, but then his character was dropped. He also had done a program in NXT with champion Adrian Neville and made one recent appearance on Raw in a run-in. Marc Harris - A referee Curt Hawkins - A wrestler who had rarely been used. Few even remembered he was still with the company except he did a recent NXT match. He's opened a wrestling school recently. Teddy Long - A very good television performer and talker. With The Authority storyline, a babyface GM role didn't fit. At one point they had a storyline started with he and Booker T, but everything was dropped cole and he hadnt been seen at all. There was no television role in the company for him at ths point. Jinder Mahal - Someone they were somewhat high on but he didn't do anything to stand out on the main roster. Drew McIntyre - McIntyre fell victim to the Chris Masters syndrome. He was a tall guy with a good body and a good look who they thought would be a superstar, so they pushed him super hard and the fans rejected the push. In time, he turned into a very good performrer, but they'd treated him like a joke in booking by that point for too long. 3MB was as good as it could have been given they were booked like the ultimate buffoons. And that role does give you limited upside mobility and shelf life. In his case, having been on TV in this role for so long, even though he's really talented, I don't know if there is a place for him past working indies, and in Europe he probably can do well. New Japan is already overloaded with foreigners and right now he's not what TNA needs, with the idea of pushing a guy coming directly off years as a WWE joke character. Yoshi Tatsu - Another good wrestler who they had lost interest in. He was very over at least in appearance in his rare NXT appearances. But developmental isn't a place for a wrestler in his late 30s.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 13:06:20 GMT -6
Curt Hawkins tweeted the following about his WWE release: "My worst nightmare has come true... I now have to start paying for my own wrist tape again! s--t. Now, who wants me on their show this weekend? E-mail: CreateAProWrestling@yahoo.com Ok... let's fill up the calendar: BookCurtHawkins@gmail.com"
Mark Henry posted a photo of himself this morning and mentioned being with WWE for 18 years this August. Hawkins replied:
“@themarkhenry: Here we stand. Still here!!! pic.twitter.com/V20Wu0v0Tx” Your colleagues lose their jobs & you tweet that? You're an idiot Mark.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 13:07:12 GMT -6
As noted earlier, Brodus Clay is one of ten WWE talents that were released today as of this writing. Brodus commented on his release on Twitter, writing: "Is it Better 2be held down, held back or let go I'm proud of all the obstacles I fought through wwe and now greatness is on me #MonsteousBC"
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 13:08:03 GMT -6
As noted earlier, Jinder Mahal was one of ten WWE talents released today. Jinder commented on his release, tweeting:
"Thanks to @wwe for the amazing opportunity. Got a chance to see the world and do many amazing things. Excited to see what the future brings."
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 14:21:05 GMT -6
JTG was added to the list of those released earlier in the day.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 14:46:28 GMT -6
Hawkins will already be making his first post-WWE wrestling appearance this Friday and Saturday night for Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW). In addition to Hawkins, JCW has previously announced that Val Venis will be in wrestling action at both the June 13th event in Long Branch, NJ and the June 14th show in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 15:14:13 GMT -6
As noted earlier, WWE released 11 talents today - Teddy Long, referee Marc Harris, Evan Bourne, JTG, Brodus Clay, Curt Hawkins, Aksana, Yoshi Tatsu, Camacho, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre. Regarding Tatsu, there had been a feeling for some time that he had really regressed in the ring.
It's said that Brodus Clay fell out of favor with WWE creative.
Long's contract expired and it was well known within WWE that he would be leaving soon.
Out of all 11 releases, the releases of Camacho and Hawkins came as the bigger surprises to people within WWE. Camacho was very popular within NXT circles and Hawkins had several more years left on his current deal.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 12, 2014 16:00:27 GMT -6
Yoshi Tatsu tweeted the following about his WWE release:
"I want to say thank you to @wwe & #WWEUniverse & #YoshiArmy for these 6 years. It's been an amazing experience."
"In my last days, your huge "Yoshi Tatsu" chants at @fullsail were awesome! Please keep being cool! I love you guys(^_^) #YoshiArmyForever"
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:48:04 GMT -6
Word is that Mark Carrano, who has been featured on Total Divas and works in Talent Relations under Triple H, is the person who made most, if not all, of the WWE releases today by phone. There is a lot of talk among people in WWE that the cuts are not done and that there will be more releases on the administrative side of the company, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
It's said that the success, or lack thereof, of the WWE Network is what is causing the talent cuts and the potential office cuts.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:49:09 GMT -6
Evan Bourne tweeted the following about his WWE release this evening: "Thanks for the love friends! Thanks for the good times @wwe. Sorry to the fans for not getting back on RAW after breaking my foot."
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:50:00 GMT -6
TMZ reports that Brodus Clay, who was released by WWE earlier today, has booked a trip to Japan for this summer and plans to protest dolphin hunting in that country. Clay has been passionate about protecting dolphins from being captured and killed since seeing Oscar winning documentary The Cove.
Clay told TMZ he's bummed about losing his job with WWE but he's excited about doing other things like acting and writing a book. He's also interested in wrestling while he's over in Japan but said his main focus while he's there is "bringing awareness to the cause."
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:51:10 GMT -6
Former WWE Superstar Trent Baretta tweeted the following about the WWE releases today, apparently taking a shot at Kofi Kingston: "Shoulda been Kofi."
"Fired friends. If you love wrestling you're about to have the most fun ever."
This isn't the first time Baretta has taken a shot at Kofi on Twitter. You may remember back in 2013 Baretta tweeted the following about Kofi:
"Now that I'm fired I can finally say it: Kofi Kingston is an asshole."
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:52:02 GMT -6
Former WWE Superstar Shane "Hurricane" Helms tweeted some advice to the released WWE talents today: "To newly released talents, embrace your freedom. The Indy scene is on FIRE and is in fact home to the best wrestling in the world."
"The WWE is the biggest "stage" for pro wrestling but the "best" wrestling I've seen in the last years has been on the Indy's. Good luck!!"
"My point being, I know some of the guys might be a little scared and depressed but rest assured there's life after WWE, I promise you."
"And that's NOT a knock on WWE at all. But WWE is just one wrestling company, there's plenty of other great wrestling out there."
"Don't forget that WWE just had a stock market nightmare recently. These releases don't necessarily reflect anyone's level of talent."
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 13, 2014 3:53:08 GMT -6
As noted earlier, former WWE Superstar Trent Baretta appeared to take a shot at Kofi Kingston when he tweeted the following about the WWE releases today: "Shoulda been Kofi."
Baretta later clarified his tweet stating that the stuff with Kofi "isn't real."
- JTG's WWE release earlier today was trending on Facebook. JTG sent another tweet out this evening, writing, "Stay Tuned Everyone."
- As noted earlier, Mark Henry turned 43 today and wrote on his Twitter, "Here we stand 18 years in August. Still here!!!"
Curt Hawkins, who was released earlier today, took offense to Henry's tweet and wrote, "Your colleagues lose their jobs & you tweet that? You're an idiot Mark."
Henry replied to Hawkins tonight:
"First I don't often explain my self to no one!But I had no idea anyone got let go,it's sad.I was asked to post about bday. That's what came out it was about my 18 year journey. I know where you live dude it's a small world. An apology is due. If not well You know me I'll handle our biz."
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