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.
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