News broke earlier in the day that WWE would be cutting costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first wave of releases have come as Kurt Angle, EC3, Rusev, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Eric Young, Drake Maverick (who was supposed to be in the upcoming cruiserweight title tournament), Heath Slater, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis Erick Rowan, Primo, Epico, No Way Jose, Sarah Logan, head referee Mike Chioda, Aiden English, Deonna Purrazzo, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, NXT house show performer Aleksander Jaksic, and Lio Rush have been released.
BREAKING: WWE has come to terms on the release of Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), EC3 (Michael Hutter) and Lio Rush (Lionel Green). We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. https://t.co/cX449nNSLU
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2020
Some fans may rejoice to see underused talent like EC3 or Lio Rush released but talents like Hawkins and Anderson have won titles in the company and Drake Maverick was the long time GM of the 205 Live brand.
With IMPACT! Wrestling taping shows they could be a possible landing destination for EC3 as he gets to go home to the company that originally made him a star but for others like Anderson and Rush there is no clear landing destination with places like All Elite Wrestling and NWA no longer holding shows, AEW’s next show is set to be in May as they taped upcoming Dynamites already.
PWInsider is reporting that NINE (9) producers have also been released or furloughed including Sarah Stock, Billy Kidman, Mike Rotunda, Dave Finlay, Pat Buck, Shawn Daivari, Scott Armstrong, Shane Helms, and Lance Storm.
Writer Andrea Listenberger has also confirmed her departure from the company.
Lots of people getting let go at #WWE today and regrettably, I am one of them. But I'm proud of the work I've been able to do since starting in Dec., and glad that the storyline I worked on resonated with so many people. That's what writing is about for me. #OtisandMandyForever
— Andrea Listenberger (@andrea_ml) April 15, 2020
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