Backstage Insights: Why WWE Made Recent Talent Releases

One Big Thing

WWE’s decision to release Xyon Quinn, Jinder Mahal, Veer, Sanga, and Xia Li stems from budget cuts, lacking creative directions, and insufficient progress relative to their tenure with the company.

Key Takeaways

• Internal sources cite budget cuts as a primary reason for the recent WWE roster reductions.
• Lack of television appearances due to insufficient creative plans and perceived lack of progress are also factors.
• Many WWE talents discovered the cuts via public channels, marking a deviation from previous communication practices.
• Xia Li was in the midst of a storyline and even scheduled for an upcoming WWE Women’s World Championship battle royal, unaware of her imminent release.
• The talent released was described as well-regarded by peers, with Fightful noting no specific incidents leading to their exits.

Why It Matters

This isn’t the first instance of talent releases following the WWE and UFC merger into TKO, signaling a new era of mass cost-cutting measures within the company. Such decisions not only reshape the roster but also reflect broader corporate strategies in response to financial pressures.

Insider Insights

Fightful’s Corey Brennan highlighted Jinder Mahal’s mentoring role within WWE NXT and Xia Li’s collaboration with Shawn Michaels, underscoring the unexpected nature of their releases. The information gap between departments, as evidenced by the graphics team’s unawareness of Li’s release, points to internal communication challenges amid these operational shifts.

Beyond the Ring

The recent cuts serve as a poignant reminder of the volatile nature of wrestling careers, where even well-liked and contributive talents can find themselves outside the ring looking in. This reinforces the industry’s unpredictable landscape, where financial and creative decisions can abruptly alter careers.

Looking Ahead

As WWE continues adjusting its roster and operations post-merger, the wrestling community remains on alert for how these changes will influence the sport’s future dynamics, storytelling, and talent development.