WWE Release Thread

[Troy]

It is that time of the year and WWE have started their annual cull.

Confirmed Cuts​

RAW​

Smackdown
Chavo Guerrero​

NXT Alumni
Michael Tarver
Jacob Novak​

FCW
Buddy Stretcher
Buck Dixon
Ethan Levine
Monty Lynch
Russell Walker​

Staff will edit this post as more names are confirmed over the coming weeks.​

No surprises that Jacob Novak was released. Was on two seasons on NXT and did nothing either season to stand out from the pack. Tarver was unlucky that he suffered that injury during the Nexus run but then again WWE have enough similar guys like him. I expect a few more releases from wrestlers that were part of NXT.​

 

[Aniking]

The Jacob Novak release was inevitable. If you're eliminated first on TWO seasons of NXT, you clearly don't have what it takes. As for Tarver, it's very disappointing to see him gone, but I guess it happens.

With the 3 FCW guys, I knew exactly who they were as I like to keep an eye on the roster. I don't watch any matches, I just like to take a look at what they all look like etc. The 3 that were released I'm not surprised about judging by their pics. Take a look for yourself:

Buck Dixon

Ethan Levin

Buddy Stetcher

As you can see, neither of them looked that impressive.

 

[Deezy]

They looked like the guys who would wrestle for the AWA during their dying days.

Tarver was a surprise, he could talk on the mic, made t-shirts and rape masks that would make him stand out. But I guess he was a little late, since he could've fit the Attitude Era perfectly.

Novak? Who?

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

I agree all three of those guys look like complete tools and have no business being in a WWE ring. I could have sworn Buddy Stretcher may have been around when CM Punk was shaving heads during the SES era.

 

[Aniking]

Reports are the WWE have also released another guy from FCW, who also has a famous father like Buck Dixon. This one comes as a bit of a surprise to me as it's Wes Brisco, who is the son of Jerry Brisco and nephew of Jack Briscoe. This is him:

He was one of my predictions to be on NXT6, yet that's obviously not gonna happen. I wonder who else will be released in the next week or two.

 

[Troy]

The first three FCW don't look in shape at all. You aren't going to get into WWE unless you are in great shape, they just look like regular fans.

Wes Brisco is a surprise because of his connections and because from all reports he was alright in the ring.

 

[Lucky]

Didn't really like seeing Tarver get released. I was always hoping he and Skip were going to rejoin Heath Wade and Justin over on SD when Skip was healthy again.

 

[Seak]

Tarver and Brisco are the biggest surprises. Nobody else mattered. I'm just wondering when they'll start on the main roster cuts. JTG is my first guess on who'll get released.

 

[Tapout]

Brisco was injured. And from what I saw, got injured quite easily. That may have played a part in his release. Although, doesn't mean he still doesn't have a future in the WWE. Hes still young. Tarver, I think they really just didn't know what to do with him. Honestly I can see him revamp himself, and make a pretty good TNA character out of him.

As for the other three, they really had nothing going for them. Hopefully no one above average gets releases in the next few day.

 

[Troy]

The main roster releases will most likely be starting this week as well but I don't see many happening because WWE don't have that many wrestlers on the RAW or Smackdown rosters anymore. The only two that I think are likely to be released are JTG and Tyler Reks. They have had their chance but haven't been able to get over. Out of the Divas I would release Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox, WWE have enough Divas and they are the bottom in my opinion.

I do see a lot of releases from wrestlers that were part of NXT and haven't made it onto the RAW roster. Eli Cottonwood, Lucky Cannon, Derrick Bateman and Conor O'Brian are the first names that come to mind.

 

[Andrew]

Speaking of releases, Luke Gallows did a dark match on TNA. I believe I will be seeing Serena there soon enough. There are talks that TNA is signing a couple of Australian Wrestlers in the upcoming times... but WWE here, I see Seth Rollins being released, they've done jack shit with him and he should just go to TNA or ROH.

As much as I despise TNA, at least they'll bring just about anybody to their roster and use them.

 

[Troy]

Seth Rollins has been given a big push in FCW. He is the current FCW 15 champion and won the tag titles with Richie Steamboat. Plus he is currently feuding with Jon Moxley in FCW so he is being used there. Soon enough he will be promoted to the main roster.

 

[Aniking]

The only two that I think are likely to be released are JTG and Tyler Reks. They have had their chance but haven't been able to get over. Out of the Divas I would release Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox, WWE have enough Divas and they are the bottom in my opinion.

I'd be surprised if Tyler Reks isn't released as we don't even see him on Superstars anymore. It sucks as he is good in the ring and has a decent gimmick, yet he gets given zero. As for JTG, his size has mainly been his downfall, but I'd be surprised if he is kept too.

I actually don't see Alicia Fox being released as she wins about half her matches (when she actually appears), but Rosa Mendes really shouldn't be kept.

I do see a lot of releases from wrestlers that were part of NXT and haven't made it onto the RAW roster. Eli Cottonwood, Lucky Cannon, Derrick Bateman and Conor O'Brian are the first names that come to mind.

First off, Cottonwood should be released for sure. He failed miserably on NXT and was the only past Rookie that wasn't included on Redemption that either wasn't on RAW or Smackdown, or was wrestling dark matches.

I hope Bateman isn't released, he shouldn't be anyway. He has tons of charisma, is great on the mic and he was basically the only NXT Rookie in the show's history that actually got the crowd behind him. That proves something.

Cannon and O'Brian won't be released at least until they're eliminated form NXT (unless one of them wins it, which I doubt). Cannon at least has a gimmick and was the FCW Champion until just after NXT started, so they must see something in him. I don't hold much hope for O'Brian once he goes on his own, but then again I thought he'd be eliminated after Novak yet he has actually been decent.


Anyway, I think those on the main roster that would be on the bubble would be Chris Masters, Curt Hawkins, David Hart Smith, Goldust, JTG, Primo and Tyler Reks. I reckon Ryder would be there if it wasn't for his popularity. SUrprisingly that list are all RAW superstars.


EDIT: As if they've done jack shit with Rollins. He'll surely be on NXT6.

 

[Troy]

I hope Bateman isn't released, he shouldn't be anyway. He has tons of charisma, is great on the mic and he was basically the only NXT Rookie in the show's history that actually got the crowd behind him. That proves something.

Cannon and O'Brian won't be released at least until they're eliminated form NXT (unless one of them wins it, which I doubt). Cannon at least has a gimmick and was the FCW Champion until just after NXT started, so they must see something in him. I don't hold much hope for O'Brian once he goes on his own, but then again I thought he'd be eliminated after Novak yet he has actually been decent.

I just don't hold much hope for them making it onto RAW or Smackdown. Lucky Cannon was just eliminated from NXT so we should find out pretty quick if he is going to remain in FCW. O'Brian I am almost positive he will go.

Anyway, I think those on the main roster that would be on the bubble would be Chris Masters, Curt Hawkins, David Hart Smith, Goldust, JTG, Primo and Tyler Reks. I reckon Ryder would be there if it wasn't for his popularity. SUrprisingly that list are all RAW superstars.

Goldust I don't think they will release, I think they will let him decide when he wants to go. He is a veteran and they will let him retire rather than them firing him. I forgot about DHS, I definitely see him being released since WWE haven't used him at all, what a waste I thought that he could have been something special. Primo I never know what they are going to do with him so I wouldn't be surprised either way. Curt Hawkins I have a feeling that he will survive this round of cuts and will get one more chance.

 

[Aniking]

I just don't hold much hope for them making it onto RAW or Smackdown. Lucky Cannon was just eliminated from NXT so we should find out pretty quick if he is going to remain in FCW. O'Brian I am almost positive he will go.

Damn you just revealed to me who got eliminated. You're lucky it was only an NXT spoiler

Either way, Cannon has a gimmick and O'Brian doesn't, and usually when you have a gimmick then there's something to build on. I'd much rather this Lucky Cannon than the one from NXT2, but so does FCW if they let him hold their top belt. Most who have held that belt have made it into the WWE, which includes Jack Swagger, Sheamus, Michael McGillicutty, Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Alex Riley and Mason Ryan. The other two that have held that belt and appeared are Eric Escobar and Tyler Reks, but their careers have been non-existent (especially Escobar's).

I wouldn't ride off Cannon just yet.

Goldust I don't think they will release, I think they will let him decide when he wants to go. He is a veteran and they will let him retire rather than them firing him.

Fuck, I was meant to mention that lol. I was gonna say they'll likely "quietly retire" him like they did with Finlay. Apparently Goldust is already doing something backstage... I'm pretty sure anyway.

I forgot about DHS, I definitely see him being released since WWE haven't used him at all, what a waste I thought that he could have been something special.

I thought the same. Apparently he's training for MMA now, so it'd be pointless for the WWE to keep somebody whose focus is on something else.

Primo I never know what they are going to do with him so I wouldn't be surprised either way. Curt Hawkins I have a feeling that he will survive this round of cuts and will get one more chance.

Primo should've been gone ages ago, and Hawkins is so underrated. I hate he has nothing because I see heaps of potential in him. He just has this interesting look and I bet he could play a cool, chill, laid back dude that has sudden bursts of anger so well. I reckon his mic skills hold him back, like Reks, but at least Hawkins is about 6 years younger, so time is on his side.