Backstage Update on WWE’s Recent Wave of Talent Releases and Reasons for Many of Talents Released

As noted before, WWE released eleven known talents from the company this past weekend. This past Friday featured Cedric Alexander, Sonya Deville, Blair Davenport, AOP (Akam & Rezar), and Paul Ellering released. This was following this past Saturday with The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows), Isla Dawn, and Giovani Vinci and on Sunday with Elektra Lopez.

Fightful Select reported that their sources provided details and reasons for many of those who were released this past weekend.

In regards to Anderson, it was reported that their sources stated that Anderson is still recovering from his shoulder injury and surgery. Those spoken to stated that Anderson is still expected to be out for at least the next three to six months. It was reported that Anderson’s release was highly unusual since WWE rarely released injured talent but he is maintaining a positive outlook despite the circumstances.

In regards to Davenport, it was reported that those spoken over this past November to January had consistently stated that WWE officials did not have any active talks regarding potential plans for her. It was reported that prior to her release, WWE officials had brought Davenport back to WWE television and had been considering potential plans to pair Davenport up with Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. These plans went as far as having a Secret Service-inspired outfit being prepare for Davenport before it was ultimately delayed and dropped.

In regards to Vinci, those spoken to reportedly stated that Vince had been highly regarded within WWE when the vignettes for his move to the SmackDown brand were being produced last year. WWE officials reportedly quickly made the decision that Vinci would not be retained after the momentum did not translate to television time for him leading to his gradual demotion in the company.

In regards to Dawn, one talent spoken to reportedly claimed that Dawn was seen backstage at this past Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Memphis, Tennessee but this was something that had yet to be confirmed by their sources. In regards to Dawn’s tag team partner Alba Fyre, it was reported that there has been no confirmation from withing WWE regarding her being among those released.

In regards to AOP and Ellering, those close to AOP and Ellering spoken to reportedly stated that they believe the group will continue competing despite the recent developments for their careers.

It was reported that those within WWE’s NXT brand reportedly stated that they believe the recent wave of releases may be connected to a new wave of call-ups set to join the main roster this year.