WWE released another batch of talented NXT wrestlers Friday night.
In what has been an alarming pattern throughout 2021, WWE released another batch of wrestlers. The releases were first reported by Fightful. Here’s the full list of released talent:
- Bronson Reed
- Bobby Fish
- Leon Ruff
- Mercedes Martinez
- Jake Atlas
- Tyler Rust
- Asher Hale
- Giant Zanjeer
- Kona Reeves
- Zechariah Smith
- Ari Sterling
- Stephon Smith
Reed sticks out as a surprise. Not two months ago he was the NXT North American Champion. Reed had a unique look and tons of talent in the ring. He took to Twitter to announce his release:
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knight
by Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Just got released from @WWE
This monster is back on the loose … you don't know WHAT you've just done.#WWE
.@AEW .@IMPACTWRESTLING .@njpw1972 .@ringofhonor pic.twitter.com/9h5I2G4L1J
— Bronson Reed (@bronsonreedwwe) August 7, 2021
Ruff was also a former NXT North American Champion, and Bobby Fish was part of one of the best stables in NXT’s history in the Undisputed Era. Speaking of Undisputed Era, Tyler Rust was part of the Diamond Mine alongside former UE member Roderick Strong. That stable is now down one more with Rust’s release.
Many are confused about the cuts, but apparently, this is part of a larger direction shift for WWE. According to Dave Meltzer, NXT is going back to their developmental days after losing the AEW war. Check out this thread from Trevor Dame for more details:
Dave says HHH and HBK did not pick the NXT cuts. Vince, Prichard and Laurenaitis did. NXT lost the war and they're going to change, back toward an older style of development. Big guys, young guys.
— Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) August 8, 2021
If that’s the future of NXT, it’s a dark day for the most consistent WWE offering of the last decade. More releases may be on the horizon then, so we will have to wait and see. WWE apparently wants “no more midgets, no one starting in their 30s. They want people that can be box office attractions and main characters.” A bleak outlook for sure.
Evan Gomes is a freelance writer and podcaster. You can follow him on Twitter at @ItsEvanGomes and check out his two podcasts: Crossbody of Work and The Pop Capsule Podcast.
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
All In Delivers Great Show for AEWby Full Press Coverage on August 28, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Jim Biringer is back with Nick Bodkins of Lets Talk Sports to discuss AEW […]
-
Tribute to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk and Let's Go All In with AEWby Full Press Coverage on August 26, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they pay […]
-
CFB Daily: SEC, Pac-12, Week 4 Gamesby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
Jim Biringer is joined by Justin Gonzalez to breakdown the latest in the […]
-
FPH Daily: Mike Babcock Resigns As Blue Jackets Head Coachby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 10:00 am
Jim is back with another Full Press Hockey Daily analyzing the Mike […]
-
CFB Daily: The Pac 12 Is The Best Conference In College Footballby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 4:01 am
Jim is back for another college football daily looking at Week 3 of the […]
-
Novak Djokovic Wins 24th Grand Slam Title; Coco Gauff Wins FIrstby Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 3:01 am
Jim Biringer is back with a Tennis Daily recapping the 2023 US Open as […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]