WWE: More on Recent Releases, Sonjay Dutt Departure, Updated SD Ratings

More on Recent Wave of WWE Releases & Updated Reason for Creative Writer’s Firing

As noted before, WWE released fourteen talents from their NXT and 205 Live brands and one writer from their creative team this past week.

In regards to the recent releases from the NXT brand, Fightful Select reported that NXT officials originally had plans for both Arturo Ruas and Marina Sharif to be members of the newly debuted Diamond Mine stable. It was reported that until around mid-June, Ruas had been penciled in to be one of the original members of the new group while Sharif would have joined the group as its “female enforcer” at a later date.

In regards to writer Kenice Mobley’s recent firing, Fightful Select reported that their sources within the company clarified that her firing was not due to the negative fan backlash from her recent interview with the Asian Not Asian podcast. It was reported that Mobley’s firing was more due to WWE “actively discourage writers from speaking about the job.” It was also reported that another reason for her firing was due to several staff and writers within the company had felt disrespected over the way she had discussed the wrestling business on the podcast.

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Sonjay Dutt Departs from WWE

NXT backstage producer Sonjay Dutt reportedly has recently left WWE, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that Dutt’s departure was not part of the company’s recent batch of releases and instead Dutt had given his notice several weeks ago. Johnson reported that Dutt’s future career plans in wrestling are currently not known.

Johnson also reported that the recent rumors and reports of Senior Vice President of Talent Development Canyon Ceman recently departing WWE are not true based on his sources within the company.

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Updated WWE Friday Night SmackDown Ratings

This past Friday’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a final viewership of 1,971,000 on FOX, according to Wrestlenomics. This was up compared to the initial overnight number of 1,859,000 viewers on the network.