Been awhile since we've had a spring cleaning. Feels scummy when every PPV has Trips boasting about record gates and such.
And even worse, lads, buckle up. It's time for some of Wolfie's thoughts about the released talent, prepare for shit takes.
Dakota Kai - Everyone wanted good things for Kai but it felt like every time she made momentum, she got injured. Like, two torn ACLs and a concussion? I think I'm forgetting another one. Sucks for her, hope she bounces back somewhere.
Braun Strowman - I always assumed he'd be a lifer, or what passes for a lifer these days, but he's kind of past his use by date and really needs to rest some lingering injuries. Hopefully he's learned from the last time WWE canned him.
Shayna Baszler - This is where I'm going to be split from most of you lot, I thought she was dreadful. Absolute snoozer in the ring and a flat nothing in the charisma stat. Her NXT superpush was an anchor around the neck of the roster and routinely put forth the dullest matches of the card. Her main roster run wasn't much better, she got crickets within weeks of debuting, her Chamber win was boring as concrete, and the booking was right to get cold feet and kick her far down the card after realizing how silent things were when she was on screen. The only time she was even mildly interesting was when she thought she was a vampire. Fuck the MMA shit, gimme vampire stuff. All the best to her, hopefully she finds that missing piece.
Kayden Carter/Katana Chance - I would've assumed they would've had a safe position as the 'middling face Women's tag title contendors' for other teams to beat, but that's also based on the assumption that WWE would give a thought about a non-women's world title scene. Very athletic, but like zero character work. I'm sure they'll find somewhere else.
Cora Jade - Back in her early NXT days it felt like she was being slowly positioned as someone to build the brand around, like she even got the victory for her team in one of the War Games matches. Then it just didn't happen and she slipped down the card. I had a soft spot for her, darn. I suspect she'll still wind up in TNA since she's already made a few appearances during the partnership thing.
Gigi Dolin - She always felt a few steps behind the others so I'm not too surprised.
Eddy Thorpe - This is a weird case, because I think he's kind of a lame duck but he's also one of the very few 'name'-ish guys left on NXT. That battle royal is going to be 80% LGF talent, if anything I would've thought they'd keep him for a few more months to help put over a newer class before showing him the exit, but eh.
Jakara Jackson - The Meta-Four split on NXT feels ominous now. I liked her and thought she was solid enough, though overshadowed by Lash Legend in the tags.
Gallus - Usually in a group of three or more I can find at least one person that I feel has potential. Nothing here though, all three of them suck like a wind turbine, absolute bores. Later dudes, hit the bricks and don't tell me how it tastes, I will not be listening.
Riley Osbourne - They really killed Chase U for Ridge Holland, then released Duke & Riley without doing anything with Ridge anyway. Not that I'm clamoring for a Ridge push mind you but wow, that's wild, especially considering Chase U is getting handwaved back into existence now and Riley never got a chance to really show out, outside of those early Breakout tourney matches. Hopefully he finds somewhere to really show himself off.
Javier Bernal - Ahh Big Body Javi, I thought his comical feud with the McKenzie was fun, but that also was a few years ago and I don't remember seeming him again since, outside of jobbing here and there.
Oro Mensah - Yeah, that Meta-Four breakup on NXT feels SUPER OMINOUS.
Dani Palmer - I remember absolutely nothing about her but apparently she's one of those conspiracy weirdos so, whatev.
Hopefully that's the end of it, but unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised if there's one or two more later this week.
