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

Why Aksana may be WWE’s newest Diva to excel

Aksana

Can Aksana become the next Diva to excel in WWE’s ailing division, due to certain contributing factors?

Aksana, most famed on television for her participation on the NXT brand, competed in the third themed season, based around the females aiming to breakthrough. On the September 7^th 2010 broadcast, Aksana, teaming with her mentor Goldust, lost her debut match, though this gave her the launching pad to begin.

Following on to the October 5^th edition, Aksana won a bull riding challenge, proving some worth, whilst also being involved in a visa problem related story angle. She would later seek to marry her mentor on the show, Goldust. The rushed ceremony on the November 2^nd NXT, (we deserve a new and full on wedding in WWE, they are TV gold), saw Goldust marry Aksana, in order to remain a resident of the United States. She would then turn heel on Goldie by delivering a slap after the groom attempted to kiss his newly wed bride.

With Husband...

... and Mentor

As Million Dollar 'Champion'

The following Raw, saw the scheming Aksana steal the Million Dollar title, which Goldie lifted previously from Ted DiBiase (Jr). Goldust then confronted his wife, on the following NXT, whom confessed marriage to her was in order to avoid being beaten by shovels back home in Lithuania. The title was returned on a three hour Raw special, the following week, with help by Goldust. Their partnership was officially severed on the next NXT show, when Aksana became eliminated from the competition, on November 16th. It had run its course, however showed potential as a character with a devious, underline nature for success.

Wouldn't go quietly

Fast forwarding to August 5^th 2011 saw the newly transformed Diva in a new style from her previous blonde presence. As a black haired, sexy sultress laced in leather, Aksana remains devilishly beautiful and mesmerizing in characterisation. Delivering small lines in key fashion, makes her valuable. Once the wrestling comes more fluidly, she will be able to launch her possible career as serious contender, if worked correctly. On the Halloween Raw, in which she was dressed up as Morticia, from The Addams Family, proved to this writer she could develop a new structure to the division alongside Phoenix and Natalya. We noticed the hidden gem many failed to witness. Aksana has that key element most Divas are missing.

Halloween Diva's Raw Battle Royal
almost made a post on WW...
but had to be scrapped due to word count -
there was TOO many.

At this time, involved in backstage skits, involving a sexual frisson with Smackdown! General Manager, Theodore Long, the sexual tension between the two has been fully entertaining and delightful. We loved the glitter ball entrance on the November 9^th supershow, as well as the Rihanna/Umbrella/Alicia Fox segment. Aksana also stated in one segment that she could “handle a joystick” in reference to playing a game with the GM in promotion for the WWE ’12 videogame.

Her Smackdown! debut supported Ms.Fox at ringside. As manager/valet, she showed another hidden gem of potential often disregarded by those not looking intuitively.

The November 29^th edition of Smackdown! was a holiday show. Competing in a Mistletoe on a pole match, (the irony), ‘sana was defeated by Brie Bella. Long, smitten with her, leaned in for a smooch after she questioned why he was standing under some Mistletoe. Accidentally chomping on one of those berries instead, (the overt message reminiscing a testicle scenario, though no one has noticed it, - you blind audience) claiming it “tickled her tonsils.”. Teddy’s brave efforts were scuppered.

Woah Bro!!

With her brief history and ability to control the situation placed into, Aksana, as baby face at present, could break the mould of Diva image with a wrestling background and challenge Phoenix at some stage after lengthy build up as a challenger, gaining a distinctive persona and fan favourite that would be cheered. The ’Barbie Bimbo’s’ aren’t eliciting cheers barely at all, and those that do are only cheering for flesh on show. (WWE secretly desires it audience to cheer for a piece of eye candy embodied with the feel of wrestling entity material).

Never looked better for WWE

Contrast is
shining through

Dropping an
Elbow

Also holding claims to managerial services and TV shows - including The Aksana Show, the Lithuanian lady may just have more than enough to go forward. Previous experience to championships and bodybuilding, Aksana clearly takes her craft more seriously than any other ’Diva’ on the roster. (Phoenix & Natalya are not ’Diva’s’ solely, they‘re ‘Women‘). She is a far more worthier option than most on the roster at present, and the fact WWE have hired a new Diva from the American Footballing world, which is yet another Kelly Kelly clone (when will they learn?), ladies with wrestling credentials need to re-establish the division and it’s viewership. There were, and are, many interested in seeing a female wrestling market on the show. It is one of the reasons figures have dipped, though WWE will never acknowledge that Women’s Wrestling is actually a profitable option. It differs and forms a unique style to the same old men wrestling perspective. Men secretly crave strong, confident Women who can stand up rather than be weak and cry every time they face a hardship. You have enough to carry forward with, it’s up to you how to “utilise”.

A good workman finds a way to use his best tools. If he doesn’t, then you end up with a shoddy shelf that falls down. The shoddy, yet ironic shelf, is WWE’s version. For someone who craves professional quality, the shelf life of those involved tends to die out rapidly. Creating a different dimension would support that, rather than detract from it, and that, alone, will be how you capitalise on the market successfully.

One of Aksana & Teddy Long's skits -

© Max Waltham 07th December 2011