I'm bummed about both firings, as I liked both guys, but in all honesty, WWE wasn't using them at all. I'm very happy that Burchill, who is easily one of my top three currently active wrestlers, will have the chance to actually wrestle now.
As for the recent firings taking place now and not after Mania, it probably has to do with the fact that ECW supported a roster in the mid-teens, low twenties range, while NXT only facilitates 8 rookies. WWE simply doesn't have as much room on the roster anymore, and I wouldn't be shocked to see more cuts coming fairly soon. Also, on the topic of NXT, I don't think that they'll just use the guy who ends up winning it, because to devote that much TV time to it and not use more of the guys once it wraps seems like a waste of time. We all know that Daniel Bryan is going to win, but I wouldn't be surprised to maybe two or three more of them called up to the main roster shortly after the competition is over, also contributing to the need to thin the roster.