11/18 WWE Releases Thoughts

 And two weeks later here we are again. Another series of cuts from the WWE. They will cite budget cuts even though they are  reporting record profits every quarter. I pointed out last time that ROH has shut down which means there is a number of free agents from that company out there along with numerous from previous mass cuts. Now we have even more talent on the free market. I would say in terms of talent that has worked national TV we haven't seen this many since WCW and ECW shut down at once. No not everyone is going to get signed much less pushed. And even if they were that doesn't give WWE a pass. So here are my on the talent that was let go and my best guess on where they wind up next.

John Morrison- How are we here again? John Morrison has everything you would want in a pro wrestlers. A look, charisma, in ring skills, a passion for the business, he's safe to work with. The guy can be funny but turn it on and get serious when needed. He can play face and heel. This guy should be can't miss in WWE. They have now missed twice. And this second run I can't help but feel they wanted him to fail. I know many out there will defend his reunion with the Miz because many years before they had been a successful tag team. But honestly did the reunion lead to a single good match on TV? It sure as fuck led to awful down right cringe inducing segments. He had shown in AAA, Lucha Underground, and Impact he was a main event level guy. Instead he really was made to Miz's lacky.

And that is what really bothers me. Miz was already a very stale act instead of Morrison getting a huge push he was used to try and get interest in something that needed to be dropped. Morrison never got the big wins it was Miz, Morrison didn't get a WWE title run nope again Miz. Hell Morrison don't even get to look good when they broke up instead it was Miz who than peaced out to go dancing. Now Morrison will be fine. The guy is talented has a name value and by all accounts always did business the right way. AEW can't sign everyone but I bet they can sign Morrison. Impact could use some main eventers, New Japan Strong needs name value talent and I could see AAA wanting him back. And maybe we will finally get Boone The Bounty Hunter 2.

Hit Row- There is no planning to these cuts. What was the point in calling them up from NXT to be on Smackdown? What was the point of starting a feud with Jinder and what ever Jinder's heavy is named? Why didn't they just cut the other three when the fired B-Fab? Its not like they kept the others around to wrap up any storyline? Look there is one member of this faction I was fan of. I know some fans will book ideas about them all reuniting somewhere the truth is one guy in this group was the talent and he won't need the others.

Ashante Thee Adonis- Okay so this will sound mean. But I feel like he's the other one in the group. Scott was the talent, B-Fab the girl, Top Dolla the idiot and Adonis the other. The little I've seen of him doesn't stand out. I can't see any company wanting him to come in with a huge push. I could see him in AEW being a bit of a male Tay Conti. Someone who didn't show much in WWE's system but maybe could surprise us. But that is by no means a sure thing. He might be one of those guys you see pop in a few places before landing anything solid.

Isaiah Scott- SHANE STRICKLAND IS COMING BACK PEOPLE! WWE never fully got this guy and I know some will defend WWE by saying "He was NXT North American Champion." Allow me to point out he won the title on the last show in June. Didn't defend it until the middle of October. He made one title dense but than dropped the belt that same night. The man is an amazing worker. Now he's so good even working the WWE's cookier cutter style he still can have a good matches. But now we are all about to reminded of just how good he is.

I feel like Tony Khan as soon as he heard this that Shane Strickland is going to be a free agent rubbed his hands together in anticipation and already know who he wants to debut him against. The only thing I could see keeping him out of AEW is two thing. One he doesn't want to go there for some reason or something like Impact or New Japan offer him some huge deal where he signs with them instead. Of all the talent let go Scott will be in the best spot.

Top Dolla- FUCK THIS GUY! Normally I try to be nice when writing stuff like this but fuck this guy. He wanted play the ultra special super loyal to WWE guy so fuck him. He was a fringe of the league of football player. He has a handful of matches and didn't look all that impressive. The good news I think this guys will be like Strowman. He will self sabotage himself and likely only work a few place. And one final time FUCK THIS GUY! 

Tegan Knox- I have never been the biggest fan of Knox but man do I feel bad for her. Not one but two major knee injures working the supposedly "safer" style of WWE. When she was healthy enough to compete she was often the victim of no real direction in WWE. She feuded with Dakota Kai who was supposed to be a her best friend that sort of just ended. She chased the NXT title some times. She was teaming with Candice LaRae who turned on her to feud just kind of redo the Kai feud. That ended when WWE called her up to the main roster. She was paired with Shotzie Blackhart who she had never teamed with before. They beat the women's tag champ never got a title shot. 

Knox was than drafted to Raw. She never appeared on Raw and now she is cut. Again I'm not the biggest fan I don't see why people act like she is must sign for AEW. I think she is a case of someone on NXT getting way to overhyped. Its like how people still claim the Briscoes are a great team due to ROH. I know a lot people saw great potential for her pre WWE. I do think she lands somewhere but I think she will have work hard to move into any top spot. 

Drake Maverick- Are we sure this one is for real this time? Not to be a dick but we still aren't sure if last time he was let go only to get resigned or his firing was a storyline during a bunch of real cuts. Maverick was doomed from the get go in WWE. He's a smaller guy in a company that seems like it hates smaller guys. He's naturally funny and able to do comedy so that meant he got stuck trying to make a lot unfunny shit decent. So he became the guy who wet his pants on TV, he became the guy who ran around for the 24/7 title. While also being the fool who couldn't sleep with his wife. Than he was fired the first time. Got brought back or was never really let go. Has a minor push in the Cruiserweight title tournament than a goofy team with Killian Dain.

Drake Maverick will never be the guy who main event shows for months on end and holds the world heavyweight title. But he should be a guy you give a more consistent push to. I mean you all this TV time you can't find some regular time for Maverick? Hell given NXT has many green horns having a vet like Drake around could be huge. The first thing that comes to mind if the potential return of Spud to Impact Wrestling, AEW I could see being interested at least giving him some work on the You Tube shows.

Jaxson Ryker- So I was a fan of former Gunner/Phil Shatter during his Impact and Indie days. But his WWE days weren't that impressive. Part of it was he almost never worked actual matches. Once he got called up to the main roster he just bounced around Forgotten Sons, King Corbin, Elisa, than a face turn. Now looking at the basics Ryker is 39 and while not totally out of place I feel many do better. Than there are some other factors mainly some political comments he's made. I don' think AEW is much of an option for him. Maybe Impact or the NWA.

Shane Throne- First thing is first go to twitter and follow this guy. He's made some great jokes since the news broke. I hope the guy saved his his money .He was one of those guys forever stuck in NXT never getting a truly solid push. Than he got put in the worst faction ever! Given the dumb name of Slapjack. Tried out another dumb gimmick. The guy is clearly happy to out of the WWE. You know I saw a post thing he'd be great for New Japan Strong and I hope he winds up there. 

11/4 WWE Roster Cut Thoughts

 Here we go again. Another WWE round of WWE roster cuts after a conference call talking about how much money they have made in the last quarter. I've more than made my thoughts on this clear on social media. Its disgusting and ridicules they are citing budget cuts as the reason. While this go around did have some good cuts they also let a lot of great talent go. So here are my person thoughts on each person let go and what I think comes next.

Now when WWE did it's first major cut in 2020 the general feeling was "they will be fine. There are a lot of places to work now." Now that feeling has remained through all the other rounds of cuts. Being honest I don't feel that as much this time around. There are a few factor for this. One there is still a large number of unsigned talent from previous cuts. So it's not a case of everyone has a slot waiting some where. Now we have yet another group of wrestlers out there. On top of that here in the states we just saw the apparent end of ROH. While the company does plan to return its not a sure thing they will and reports are talent won't be under contract instead they are back to being an Indie meanwhile MLW seems to be doing the same thing. Finally we simply still don't what the shape of international wrestling will be like in a post COVID world (and we aren't really post COVID BTW).

Frankie Monet- She's already back online hyping the return of her old persona Taya Valkyrie. So I think she's going to be fine. Taya is a long time vet she's got numerous connections in the business and she has everything you want in a wrestler.  She's got a good look, charisma, is skilled in the ring. Now with many of the WWE cuts a big question will be "AEW bound?" On that I'm not sure. Taya would add to that roster. But she may have to start off on the You Tube shows and earn a deal. Impact seems to given. She worked there for years and left on good terms. And depending on how serious WOW is they should be making some calls to Taya. 

She is also someone who was damaged to bad by WWE's bad booking. She wasn't given a awful gimmick or booked totally into oblivion. Really its just a case of WWE kind of wasted her time in the long run. A big issue WWE often has is they cut the wrong people. Taya could of added to an ever thinning women's roster instead she's gone.

Ember Moon- Look I've made it clear I've never been a big fan of Ember Moon and that dates back to her pre WWE career. I just have never found her interesting. And a lot of stuff she does well so many others do better. I think she goes back and is in demand at some Indie spots mainly places like Shimmer where she has history and women only promotions. AEW I think is a stretch at best I could see her making some shots on Dark or Elevation. If she did make to Dynamite I could see it being some what like the role Bobby Fish has being someone who will beat some younger talent and unsigned so when the real stars beat her it means something. Impact could be a place for her but with several people already in the "Different Look" category I think that hurts her.

Truth be told I don't see this as a bad other cuts in the past. If you are going to cut talent Ember does make sense. She had a less than compelling run on the main roster. Her second stint in NXT didn't do much. Good chance that the created team saw her as someone to have around but never to really push. Getting out of WWE might allow to do more and maybe actually live up to the hype.

Jessi Kamea- This person has been in NXT for four years and even has been a part of the Stone Brand and I'm still not sure who it is. From what I can tell she was one of many people who was either a model or athlete that WWE thought would make a good wrestler. She has just over a 150 matches in her career. You never say never but it its very unlikely she is getting a tryout someplace without working some Indie shows. And that is if she wants to be a wrestler a lot of these signed right to WWE people just leave wrestling when it doesn't work out. Also she's 33 which is on the older side to start an Indie career. I feel like she never got much of a chance in WWE. They put her in a role and that was it. Sadly that is also the person they are looking to cut as it comes with the most ease. 

Katrina Cortez- You guys remember that masked woman who was on Raw briefly and had a short feud with Zelina Vega? Well this is her. I'm going to bet most you don't remember that at all and if you do you went "She was still under contract?" Or you may know her as the women that on NXT a match that was so bad even though it was under 2 mins with B Fab. Just the little I've seen from her tells me she might is going to have to do some work to get look else where. Than again maybe I'm wrong and she's this years Tay Conti. Again like with Kamea she got stuck in this role of  person who loses to real stars on TV at different times. Again she is an easy cut for the WWE. And well why not Tamnia instead? I hate for anyone to lose there job but Cortez barley got a shot while Tamina is someone had many.

Jeet Rama- At 40 years old this accomplished armature champion I don't think is long for the US wrestling. Again that is even if he wants to stay in the USA. He's from India would he even want to stay. Rama also seems like a victim of all the changes in NXT. They want younger and again he's 40 they want fresh blood he's been in NXT since 2015. He likely was only signed as part of the world wide NXT goals and AEW made sure that isn't happening any time soon.

Oney Lorcan- Biff Busick is back people! He really a victim of NXT 2.0. He's 35 he doesn't have the "Airport Effect" look. He works a very Indie wrestling style. But this the kind of guy WWE should be keep around. Lorcan or Busick is talented. He's going to make anyone he works with look better. A lot of these ultra green kids in NXT could learn from him. And my god your telling with a 3 hour Raw and a 2 Hour Smackdown you couldn't find some spot for him. Hell you need tag team badly in WWE and he's been in a good one with Danny Burch. The problem is WWE doesn't think like a wrestling company should. Lorcan/Busick doesn't fit there current mold so he's out. Yes he's not likely to main event PPV's. But he's the type that fans would enjoy when used well on the midcard.

Than again know WWE he would be one of the geeks running around for the 24/7 title. He's going to be fine. I can already see a lot of Indies likely calling him to come in or come back. Will he be a must have for other companies like AEW or Impact or NJPW Strong? No but I also can see them giving him a call and maybe a look. 

Trey Baxter- The former Blake Christian was one of the last signed when WWE was still in hoard talent mode. Its really to bad because for a 24 year this guy is damn good. And if WWE wanted to build a proper Cruiserweight Division this would be the guy to build long term. And who know what would happen long term as he grew into his body. Plus you would think given NXT is supposed to developmental a 24 year old would be perfect for it. This really feels like WWE let someone go who going to make a whole lot of money for others. 

And this guy will be fine. Before he joined WWE he was getting looks from both New Japan for Strong and Impact Wrestling. I won't be shocked if they have already called him to try and find out when his no compete ends. Hell I won't be shocked to see him back in GCW when he can work again. At 24 he's more than enough time to get back to a major company. If anything this works out better as he can keep getting better instead of becoming a WWE guy

Zayda Ramier- From what I can tell Ramier was trained by Booker T and did impress a number of people. She's only been wrestling since 2018. She was signed in 2021 and only worked a handful of matches in NXT. She did score a win over Toni Storm but that speaks more about how badly Toni gets booked than any sigh of a Ramier push. Does seem strange that with NXT being developmental again they wouldn't make an effort to develop her. But again this 2021 WWE we are talking about. Wouldn't count on her winding up anywhere full time at this stage. But it seems like she will be fine. Again I think anyone not being trained by the WWE will actually get better.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett- Given how linked these two are both on and offscreen. If you want an example of just how poorly run WWE is. Even his NXT run was damaging in some ways. In Impact, AAA, and various indies Kross was a guy who worked best in short matches. He didn't really fit the workrate style of NXT at the time. Still many thought he was can't upon arriving on the main roster. Than he lost to Jeff Hardy and he never recoved. WWE had a guy whose whole MO was he was a wrecking machine and had him lose first show out. And Jeff Hardy at this stage has fallen to jobber to the stars territory. This would be like WCW having Goldberg lose to Jim Duggan on a random Nitro or TNA having Samoa Joe get beat by Elix Skipper. And the company never even tried to fix what they had broken outside of putting him in a stupid outfit. Which booking Kross should be this hard.  

Scarlett only worked a single dark match during her WWE career. But she was an important part of Kross' act in NXT. With the apparent return to more diva style matches and stories some though she might be in for a big push. But given the reports WWE is looking for women no older than 25 and I don't think there is much planning in the cuts she was let go. Again its not the worse cut but she could of been a good valet for anyone. Only WWE doesn't use valets like they used to.

I think a lot of people would have Kross bookmarked for an AEW run in 90 days. I don't know if that is the sure thing other are predicting. Kross's name was never seriously linked to AEW when he was a free agent before. I don't even know how of an option Impact Wrestling. For those that forget Kross was getting a pretty strong push in Impact as was Scarlett despite having just signed new deals they asked for a raise or a release. This lead to an extended falling with both sides. Honestly based on a few things My opinion is Kross signed just before the market got hot and did all he could to cash in again. 

A report that seems to have panned out AEW is Tony Khan is very driven to keep potential problems out of the locker room. He's passed on people many other companies would of at least given a look. And while a few that turned out to have issues were shown the door. Besides the contract issues there are some issues that Kross has reportedly had. And I do wonder how well he would fit in the ring with AEW? No I am not saying his career is over. Impact for better or worse has given people with less talent second chances. The Indies needs talent, he was a regular in AAA as well. He will wind up somewhere just not sure it will be NWA. Scarlett will likely be with him.

B-Fab- Well I guess she can't promo. Right Top Dolla? All I know is every die hard NXT fans were saying she wasn't very good. From what I can tell she was signed by WWE with little to no wrestling training. She had a couple of matches that were awful. Some liked her because they like Hit Row. Me personally I hate that gimmick. I don't see much in B-Fab. And I really don't think she will much of a career out of WWE.

Gran Metalik- Well he wanted his release and had asked for it for a while. So I can't be to hard on WWE for letting him go. Better to cut talent who want out over those that just moved Orlando to train at the CWC. If you have only ever seen him in WWE you really missed out.  He was a top name in Mexico and also had quite a bit of success in New Japan. In WWE however he's been stuck in a comedy jobber stable. His lone WWE highlight reaching the finals of the Cruisier Weight Classic way back in 2016. Again maybe in a world where WWE wanted the crusierweight title to mean something or was open to a different style he could of had a successful run.

 From what I understand Metalik's former home CMLL could use a real short in the arm and he was a big enough name AAA would have interest. I also could see him getting a lot by AEW. They are much more open to using Luchadors and actually letting them do Lucha. 

Lince Dorado- Like Metalik he had wanted his release so I can't fault them for letting him go. I can fault WWE for do fuck all with him for years and years. Seriously I know Lince will never will be a top star but you are telling me you couldn't seriously push him as a mid carder or tag star. Now he's pre WWE he wasn't as big a deal as Metalik but he was a regular in a few places. I feel like if he get a chance in AEW it will be starts on Dark has a to earn a deal after a run on Dark. Impact could give him a chance though. I could also see the NWA wanting to sign him.

Harry Smith- Why the fuck did they resign him? In the off chance you don't know the former DH Smith after a long run in Japan and working for places like MLW was rehired by the WWE in the summer. He worked a single dark match and nothing else. Again we really do see a case of WWE not wanting any depth. Smith could easily be a strong contender in the IC or US title picture or a good tag partner for many talents. Instead they did nothing with him.

I'm not really sure where Smith lands. AEW maybe. Some would think New Japan would be an option but he left the company a while ago not happy with his direction but NJPW also needs the talent. He was a reuglar in MLW but left that  from what I hear he was unhappy by the end. Still though he's got a good look some good power moves and a family name so someone will pick him up.

Nia Jax- Talk about long overdue. Yeah its pretty shitty the company may of fired her why she was a mental health break. But reports also say she was cut for refusing to get the COVID vaccine after WWE told employees they had to. And its really hard to feel bad for someone who hurt as many people as she did. And when it gets to be the number of people she hurt over the number of years its pretty damn clear she doesn't give a fuck about protecting others. Hell she battered Kari Sane into retirement. This was long overdue. For all the times WWE pushed her she never became a star like they wanted so it's not like they had a good reason to keep her around.

What does worry me is she's been on WWE TV for years, she was a champion in WWE, she had a family connection someone is going to give her a job. And I'm really worried its going to be Impact. I think unless she greatly improves she has no chance in AEW but sadly yeah I could see Impact offering her a deal. Hell I could also see other companies booking her. Maybe we will get lucky and she will be one of those "WWE or nothing" people.

Eva Marie- I'm somewhat torn on this. Because Eva isn't good I'm not about to tell you she is some  great lost talent that never got a chance. But I also don't think she's that much worse than people WWE pushes hard. Look if I were booking I would Eva the valet of someone. Instead WWE had her wrestler. This time she was really a victim of WWE's poor booking. The wanted her as as heel yet she was feuding with Bliss who is also a heel. They stated the thing with Doudrop and rushed through it. Than they just stopped using her. Look Eva showed no interesting in wrestling after leaving WWE the first time and I doubt she will this time. Unless WWE bring her back I think she's done.

Keith Lee- FUCK YOU WWE! Keith Lee is a guy you have to try and miss with. But I can't be to shocked. We heard the reports Vince McMahon didn't get Keith Lee or didn't like how Lee worked. It was clear as they stripped Lee of so many of the things that made him stand out or fun to watch. It was clear as some early momentum gave way to the typical WWE bullshit on the main roster. It was clear when renamed him Bearcat! But of course the sheep defended all of this with cries of  "Let it play out." Well it played out to a bunch of nothing.

But you know what Keith Lee won! The guys is once again limitless and we shall soon bask in his glory. Fans want him in AEW I bet he would love to get into AEW. He seems perfect for what Tony Khan wants. And you now he will have great matches with Kenny, Moxley, Punk, Hangman, Miro, Sammy etc etc etc.

Mia Yim-One of the most talented women in the world largely wasted in her WWE career. She never got a strong push in NXT which is a shame because since everyone wants that to be the workrate brand she could of fit that perfect. Than it somehow got worse. She got called up is put in what maybe the worst stable in wrestling history Retribution and got renamed Reckoning for some reason. Than that just kind of ended and she really had no direction. Sadly it was clear from WWE only hired her to make sure others didn't 

She should be fine. Plenty of Indie companies could use someone like her. Impact pushed her in the past and I bet would love to have her back to work with the new faces on the roster. I could even see AEW hiring her due to needing more talent for the women's division.