In a trend that has become a hallmark of the Nick Khan WWE presidency era, several releases have been announced at the NXT and main WWE roster levels.
The following releases have been confirmed by multiple sources tonight:
- Keith “Bearcat” Lee
- Nia Jax
- Mia Yim (Reckoning of RETRIBUTION)
- Karrion Kross
- Eva Marie
- Lince Dorado
- Gran Metalik
- B-Fab of Hit Row
- Harry Smith
- Scarlett
- Ember Moon
- Franky Monet
- Jessi Kamea
- Katrina Cortez
- Jeet Rama
- Oney Lorcan
- Trey Baxter
- Zayda Ramier
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the reason stated to many of the released talents was due to budgetary reasons. WWE released their third-quarter earnings earlier today.
This is one of many mass cuts that the company has made in 2021. WWE cut 13 people on August 6, 14 on June 25, 6 on June 2, 8 on May 19, and 10 on April 15.
Keith Lee and Karrion Kross are both former NXT Champions. Both were going through some rebranding on the Raw roster. Unlike in NXT, Kross was not accompanied by Scarlett and took on a more warrior-like character, while Keith Lee had been rebranded as Keith “Bearcat” Lee.
Nia Jax is a former Women’s Champion and spent the better part of the year as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Shayna Baszler. Jax was written out of storylines after having her arm broken by Baszler.
We will continue to follow this story as more becomes available.
Sound off below on your thoughts on yet more shocking WWE cuts!
Mike Tedesco, Roy Nemer and Jerome Wilen are going live at 8:25 pm ET to discuss the shocking news.