WWE release 10 wrestlers and a referee

WWE let scores of roster staff go 

in drastic cost cutting measures

The week has been a long and testing one in WWE, especially for eleven members of the payroll. WWE released eleven employees from its roster last Thursday after reports WWE were “allowing contracts to run out” and would not be renewing them.

The money saving extravaganza is said to be a decision brought on by the ill-fated WWE Network which is costing way over budget for WWE to barely make a profit let alone break even. They hope the international release markets will boost the revenues after last month WWE Chairman Vince McMahon believed he was lied to by his money making teams.

If the projections are dipping into WWE’s purse at such an alarming rate then they really should consider pulling the plug on the Network before they get in too deep, regardless of trying to make the concept work. It was doomed from the get go. Let it go and save finances. It is nothing special, anyway.

The eleven talents released are listed below, with brief analysis of their departures.

The first batch of no surprises were the unfortunate Yoshi Tatsu, who never got a break, benched high flyer Evan Bourne, who WWE gave numerous chances to and Curt Hawkins. Joining them were JTG (who many were shocked lasted this long) and Camacho. There was no place for him since he lost his tag partner to a blue mask.

Slight shocks but not massively were the releases of Brodus Clay, whom WWE could have make a bigger headliner if it tried and Aksana, who WWE had grand plans for to be the next star diva. Despite her efforts with training, she just didn’t have enough in the tank.

Theodore Long also joined the list after years with WWE as did two members of 3MB, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre. Since being “the chosen one” McIntyre was never fit enough to make it. It’s just how it goes in WWE. Referee Marc Harris who was upset with another referee months ago over a botched finish was not respected for such outburst and was sent packing.

Before Monday’s Raw, Chairman McMahon let lead writer Jay Gibson go as well.

More are said to follow. WWE hasn’t had its annual culls for at least two years so it was inevitable that some releases were on the way at some point. It was simply the timing that was most surprising to fans.

Though more are to go, WWE have a few names it should, feasibly, let go. The ignorant Kalisto in NXT, who shows no real skill in developmental should not have been lured by egotist fan approval seeker Triple H. It should let him go and focus on overs. Same goes for equally ignorant loser Solomon Crowe. They just don’t have it.

Ryback, of course, is never going to materialise and the best thing WWE can do is let him leave. Jack Swagger adds nothing and would also be an adequate release. Cameron is absolutely hopeless, but WWE are low on divas again, and don’t want wrestling females. They already sent out requests for more models.

There is growing restlessness in WWE that the Network is costing performers chances at earning pay and television time.

Ex-WWE nomad Chris Jericho stuck the boot in for good measure too. Ever critical of WWE, inclusive of his rude attitude toward being named No.10 best speakers in a WWE list (which is generous) Y2J spoke of the releases. Talking about Drew McIntyre, Jericho said “When you’re in 3MB it’s the end of the road” and praised Drew as “unique” as “he’s got the Scottish accent.” Delusional Jericho cheered fan favourite pint sized luchador Evan Bourne and tried to get both of them and line himself up for a job with the new Global Wrestling Force arrival later this year. Jeff Jarrett should not be taking advice from a wannabe rock star failure if he wants a serious and credible brand untainted by ignorance. Jericho is the past, not the future. His radio rants will keep him happy in his sandbox with the fans. As a credible force in wrestling, leave it to the professionals.

David Otunga and Justin Gabriel are likely to go soon. WWE have quite a lot of announcers too, and Layla, Xavier Woods and The Great Khali are strong possibilities to go later. I don’t know why, but Tom Phillips has a cute smile and I’d like the opportunity to see more of him and have a chance.

WWE could and should invest more time in developmental, acquire the correct and non-ignorant and wasteful losers who won’t contribute to a future. It needs to call up some new faces, but have strong options too. It shouldn’t be rushed, but many care and attention is needed, not Triple H’’s call ups to get fan approval. The recent calls of Paige and Adam Rose have been pathetic wastes of time. Paige has injured divas in the ring and been highly inexperienced and insufficient. These decisions make WWE look entirely weak, something they hate to be seen as. Rose is a no-hoper. Even choosing daft jobbers as his entourage contains levels of ignorance that ruins the company honour.

WWE seriously need to think about restructuring its management team, creative issues, call ups and outside influences that could really deliver for the company. Failing this, WWE has a tough few years ahead which could be a crippling loss for the future of its wrestling empire. 

© Max Waltham 18^th June 2014

Goldust Released from WWE

Resplendant Dreams Shattered!

Goldust was released from his WWE contract last weekend.

Full reasons are unknown, though most believe his last injury before TV removal (December 7th 2010) then returning him to work backstage and having less TV time may have contributed to this.

Runnels began his backstage work on July 11th 2011.

Here, hugging it out with Kaitlyn

Goldust made minor appearances in the odd angle on TV, most notably with brother Cody Rhodes, where an angle in the pipeline never materialised.

As classic IC Champ

Runnels had come under scrutiny after booking an angle as producer which saw an awful bump for Yoshi Tatsu, taking a double powerbomb from Darren Young and Titus O'Neill on Smackdown's April 24th broadcast.

Clearly, all of the above enforced the endeavour.

Here is that video -

Goldust has been moved to WWE.com's Alumni section.

One thing is clear, Goldust's entrance was the best ever in Wrestling which can never be matched and will be sorely missed, though his entro was constantly cut down later on due to time constraints.

© Max Waltham 11th May 2012

Wrestlemania 28: Fallout Part 2, Lord and Lesnar return

Wrestlemania 28: The Fallout, Part Two

Lord & Lesnar return!

One evening directly after the grandest stage of all turned heads with the heavyweight title match, Undertaker/HHH take three, and The Rock/Cena collision, Raw was ready to stoke those flames of intensity further.

On the 2^nd February episode, John Cena, later in the evening asked for the great one, The Rock to join him in the centre of the ring to toast their respect for one another after realising the match they put on for business reasons was respectful, despite the reason for the feud being less favoured.

The Rock declined Cena’s invitation. Though it was answered.

Even before he appeared, the crowd were already chanting for him.

Former WWE and UFC star, Brock Lesnar returned. The crowd was wild for him. Cena shortly received an F-5 from Lesnar.

On the following 9^th Feb Raw, both Brock and Cena attempted a in ring pull apart brawl, which had mixed reaction. John Laurinaitis stated Brock would be the choice to redefine the WWE’s current infrastructure for 2012.

Once brawling in the ring, all WWE’s lockeroom, the job squad, entered to break up equally. Some held Cena back in one corner, while others kept Brock in his barracks too. Alex Riley was behind Lesnar holding him in a comfortable and picture perfect fashion on all levels. It was ‘nice’, ya know…

Cena and Brock broke free on numerous occasions to trounce onto each other to brawl briefly, before being pulled apart in the frucous once more. To begin with, before the brawling, Brock landed a punch to Cena’s face at the jaw, which was now busted with blood.

Cena swallowed a blood capsule once everyone piled on for the brawl, to assume Brock’s right hand busted John’s jaw.

So, Brock’s return has chosen to deliver something to the product. McMahon has chosen this choice to bring back “the pain” in the hope of regaining the demographic he currently lost with John Cena  – men.

An addition to bare knuckle fighting, at UFC, Vinnie probably believes this will infuse further following, as well as heightened media coverage, which is always desired.

The decision is a viable one. In the eight year absence of Lesnar, no one has developed. This also highlights WWE’s flaws. Brock may have had a good three week return; however, one man alone cannot make the change, yet WWE only ever rely on one being at a time in a yearly period.

WWE need ‘back-up’s. ‘Those back-ups are the young one’s WWE failed to push in the last four+ years.  On the business side, Brock will regain the male followers, but not all will join after a month long dilution. The choice returning was correct and necessary, though fans are fed up of old hat performers not in new situations.

Though one word to the WWE Universe -  Brock and Rock are not the “Stone Cold’s” or “Ric Flair’s” and “Hulk Hogan’s” who only return for a pay check then leave and constantly re-return to milk it , in which they do not sell anything.

Lesnar will add contrast and possibly a new dimension for now, WWE’s dimension, however won’t be new with the old scenario’s which it must carefully preserve.  It’s time to build talent along with Lesnar. By the end of 2012, WWE needs a list of stars who have developed position and worth with the Universe in status, even if they don’t get fully booked to main events. Get ‘the list’ shaped by 2012, and WWE may have a situation that helps its profits among fan interaction and emotional investment.

On the Feb 16^th Raw, Brock claimed he was not a WWE superstar and that he is an “ass kicker” who plans on being a “wreckin’ machine” on John Cena at Extreme Rules on April 29^th . (Further detail in the London Raw review in a few days.

Lord Tensai enters the fray

Lord Tensai with his deshi, Sakamoto, debuted on the Feb 2^nd Raw also.

Staring opposite him as lamb to the slaughter was Alex Riley. Can you guess why he was booked?

Riley stood no chance and later mentioned in the match “a message “was sent. Alex Riley was jobbed out as Jerry Lawler announced “squashed” for one reason, Wrestling Wonders saw his potential and mentioned it, though McMahon didn’t feel he was ready, so instead, chose to crush a star that “isn’t ready” yet was capable of being someone to project a newer audience for WWE’s platform.

Tensai revealed himself removing his veil and helmet to battle A-Rod, in which Tensai, met with chants of “A-Train,” steamed through with a beat down and running dive onto his opponent to crush their body landing back first on their stomach.

Perhaps WWE were incensed that Wresting Wonders revealed Lord Tensai, click link here – Lord Tensai Revealed 

WW wrote as such, because the ‘E have constantly abused the rights to kayfabe and projection, as well as mockery to certain mentions and angles involving the henchman on the site in a detrimental fashion. Hey, we can take it, but it seems when returned, baby throws toys out of the pram? WW had far more insults than it gave, yet not once moaned about. We just get on with it, but we don’t forget lightly. This was just one receipt.

On the Feb 9^th edition of Raw, Tensai, met with chants of “Albert,” fought the next jobber, Yoshi Tatsu. Tensai dominated through Japan, and respected thoroughly, which WWE used as a basis for Tatsu’s crush, as Yoshi “wrote on Twitter” comments about being Japanese and wrestling meaning something probable to him. McMahon, in the mask of Tensai, smashed Tatsu’s values. (McMahon didn’t technically wear a mask and appear.)

Tensai uses a mist spurt and vice claw to finish opponents.

On the 16^th Feb Raw, live in London, UK, Tensai was unveiled as John Cena’s mystery opponent. In this match Tensai was allowed to look inferior to Cena, who bested all of the Lord’s moves, didn’t sell any aggression and crippled Tensai as a credible entity.

Lord Tensai’s options are difficult.

Initially good, booked instantly into job matches, does nothing for him to solidify meaning or depth in the company. Once disrobed, Tensai looks just like Albert from 2001 with make up on his face from the matrix.

Tensai’s run will peter out, unless WWE actually cut the crush jobs and give him strong opponents to battle with. Perhaps WWE’s failings to create opponents to battle with is its issue as to why this return is slowly failing.

Same old, same old. WWE don’t know how to book into a different, wider spectrum other than mockery, when they could and should have used their positions and the one’s of advice online, to learn how to re-structure in a way that gets grand scale characters like Tensai, dark and mysterious, to have a meaningful enclosure.

What does it mean?

After great returns of two big stars, eventually, less than three months into their runs, WWE will be in danger zone once again, because it can’t understand how else to present it. With a record fifthteen members on the creative team, and a handful booking the way the company needs to be represented, may now allow for competition to stand against WWE if they can be bothered. Whether that remains to be seen, WWE will dip all the same, unless it hires or re-shapes in a completely new way. It cannot seem to do it on its own, which highlights drastic disaster looming for their business model, and ratings. Currently, everything seems to be centred around one man WWE claim is not the frontman anymore, John Cena. WWE only want money, so Cena it is. Eventually, once again, and again failing to listen to the Universe and “create a new John Cena,” McMahon has put continual strain on its Universe, and with damaging effect. Cena will drive away those fans regained by The Rock once more. Will WWE ever learn and give to the “People” as it states? Time will tell.

There are two more parts coming on the Wrestlemania fallout. Stay tuned all this week.

If WWE want to bring in more UFC men, leading candidate? (not Puder) - Dennis Hallman! Thta's all that needs to be said! Adds instant interest. :)

YOU CAN VIEW THE OTHER PARTS BY CLINKING HERE -

Wrestlemania 28: The Fallout, Part One: The Rock/John Cena

Wrestlemania 28:The Fallout, Part Three: Sheamus/Daniel Bryan


© Max Waltham 17th April 2012