Backstage Notes On WWE Talent Cuts, Who Made the Decisions, Reaction Backstage

A new report has some backstage details around Friday’s WWE talent cuts, who made the decisions, and more. As noted, WWE made cuts to both the main roster and NXT/developmental on Friday. The cuts included Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, the Motor City Machine Guns, and many more.

Fightful Select reports that talent heavily speculated that cuts were coming all week. A number of the talent began to find out on or before 5 PM ET that they were released or their deals were not being renewed. An internal email was sent out to some departments with the news.

There are no specifics on which stars were released and which are not having their contracts extended. As we have noted in the past, the “non-compete clauses” are not in fact non-competes; the talent are still under contract and paid. Fightful notes that they are “right of termination and requisite notices.” Main roster talent have 90 days, and NXT roster talent have 30 days.

While there has been a lot of talk about TKO making the calls regarding the cuts, the site reports that Triple H, Nick Khan, and WWE talent relations ended up being the primary decision makers, according to sources in WWE.

Those sources also indicated that the majority of releases were done to make way for new talent, as well as due to SmackDown reportedly going to two hours in the next few weeks.

In regards to Santos Escobar being released while injured, that used to be against company policy, but has happened more regularly as of late, with Karl Anderson, BJ Ray, and Ridge Holland all released or not renewed while they were still not cleared to return.

The sources note that there was a lot of shock in reaction to Kairi Sane’s release, particularly since she was involved in the feud between Asuka and IYO SKY. There is “heavy frustration” in reaction to her being let go before the story gets a payoff. Sane is expected to be able to sign with any company that she wants to when she becomes a free agent.

The report also noted that several NXT releases were made due to new Performance Center signings expected to be announced soon.