During the tumultuous times of the pandemic, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) implemented a rather controversial practice of releasing a significant number of talents en masse, purportedly as part of cost-cutting measures. However, recent developments suggest a departure from this trend, as the company has not engaged in a spree of talent releases as witnessed in the past.
Despite widespread speculation about potential cuts to the main roster following WrestleMania and even after the 2023 WWE Draft, no substantial cuts materialized. This departure from the customary protocol has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions within the wrestling community.
Sean Ross Sapp revealed through Fightful’s subscription-based platform that there has been a conspicuous absence of talk surrounding talent cuts backstage at WWE. Historically, such discussions were prevalent, often accompanied by speculation and anticipation about who might be affected.
Fightful, having engaged with numerous talents and staff members, found that the rumored cuts that had circulated throughout the year lacked credibility. Even as these rumors emerged, they failed to generate significant traction in backstage conversations, hinting at a shift in WWE’s approach to talent management.
The pandemic-induced talent cuts were a notable point of contention, particularly because of the abruptness and scale of the releases. However, the return of Triple H to a more prominent role within the company saw him actively working to reacquire talents that had been let go, especially from the NXT brand.
Certain talents, such as Bronson Reed and Karrion Kross, who were highly valued within Triple H’s sphere of influence, found themselves released under the previous regime led by Vince McMahon. The subsequent reacquisition of these talents, following Triple H’s resurgence, reflected the complexity of the talent management landscape within WWE.
