WWE release Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and six others exactly one year after the Black Wednesday releases last year during the pandemic.
The WWE have announced the departure of nine Wrestlers on their website. The releases come shortly after Wrestlemania 37 and exactly one year apart from when they had their mass exodus. The names of those let go are, Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Wesley Blake and Bo Dallas.
Also read: Ronda Rousey names two stars she would like to face on WWE return
The releases last year were attributed to budget cuts in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There is no official word on what led to this decision from the WWE. However, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the reason this year is budget cuts again and the man to make these calls is John Laurinaitis.
I’m told John Laurinaitis has been making the calls to talent and citing budget cuts as the reason for the WWE releases
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) April 15, 2021
WWE release Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce and others exactly one year after the Black Wednesday releases last year
WWE has come to terms on the release of Billie Kay and Mickie James.
We wish Billie and Mickie the best in all of their future endeavors.https://t.co/59Ea2hXLZt
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2021
WWE has come to terms on the release of Samoa Joe, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake.
We wish them all the best in all of their future endeavors. https://t.co/657qwu8wGc pic.twitter.com/gSSxc2JHFf
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2021
WWE has come to terms on the release of Peyton Royce.
We wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.https://t.co/55CLz9UeBB pic.twitter.com/rJQASt4xII
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2021
Some of these releases are surprising due to several of these stars performing recently. Samoa Joe and Billie Kay were part of Wrestlemania while Mickie James was seen on the pre-show of NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver. Kalisto and Tucker participated in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal on the SmackDown before Wrestlemania.
Chelsea Green also reportedly recently signed a new contract with the WWE while Peyton Royce was said to have been earmarked by Vince McMahon for a push. It was commonly believed that a singles run was in store for her, which is why the IIconics were even broken up in the first place.
Hopefully, a more fulfilling career awaits those released. Stay tuned for further announcements.
Click here for more Wrestling News
