Recent Roster Cuts
Just last week, WWE carried out its yearly roster cuts, which were significantly more severe than in years past, with 23 wrestlers released across all brands. The list included notable names like Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction. However, the biggest shock of all was the release of Kairi Sane, a move that few saw coming.
It has been speculated that one of the primary factors influencing these departures and the subsequent influx of NXT call-ups is cost efficiency. By promoting talent from NXT, the company often finds it far more cost-effective than renegotiating high-priced contracts with established veterans.
The concern among some fans is whether several of these recent call-ups were premature. There is a growing debate over whether it would have been more beneficial to keep certain talents in NXT for further development, rather than rushing them to the main roster to fill the gaps left by recent cuts.
While fans have come to expect annual post-WrestleMania departures, this year’s cuts felt much more significant. WWE has clearly taken the stance that business should part ways with talent who aren’t resonating with the audience, rather than attempt to rebrand them.
Even with the recent call-ups, the deep cuts mean there are still fewer superstars on the main roster than before WrestleMania. However, since there are only so many matches that can be featured in a two-hour show, it seems likely that several stars will be used inconsistently, as most of the cuts were to mid-card talent and jobbers.
While there are concerns regarding the recent call-ups, given that they are entering a main roster pool that many still consider bloated, there are even greater worries for the brand they left behind. NXT has seen its roster thinned out so quickly that it faces a monumental task in rebuilding and replacing the cornerstones of its division.
