WWE recently released a handful of stars from NXT, including Dakota Kai and Persia Pirotta citing budgetary cuts. Alongside the former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, Harland, Dexter Lumis, Raelyn Divine, Draco Anthony, Vish Kanya, Mila Malani, and others have also been let go. It was earlier reported that John Laurinaitis, who is the WWE Head of Talent Relations sent an internal mail to inform the talents about the release.
It seems a lack of communication exists between the top management in WWE and the NXT creative team. It has been also noted that WWE keeping an eye on the progress of the development stars and their future depends on the evaluation of progress.
WWE could release more stars
WWE is taking the recruitment program more seriously than even and talent is being given less of a chance to stick. If a wrestler isn’t showing improvement over a given evaluation period, they are subject to their release. The company is looking for those who pick things up quickly and can get right to work in NXT.
Andrew Zarian talked today about the potential for more WWE releases. Zarian said he was told to expect more releases soon. Those releases will become a regular occurrence for WWE going forward.
“I want to clarify a convo we had on the air today regarding more releases. What I was told: “Talent is constantly evaluated on progress. Expect more releases soon & regularly” (Regarding Developmental talent)
I made an error by saying ‘very soon’”
I want to clarify a convo we had on the air today regarding more releases.
What I was told:
"Talent is constantly evaluated on progress. Expect more releases soon & regularly" (Regarding Developmental talent)I made an error by saying "very soon"
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) May 5, 2022
It turns out those working behind the scenes on NXT 2.0 had no clue of incoming releases and had no option but to drop entire storylines and feuds. Malcolm Bivens was managing the Diamond Mine and he also had just rejected a new contract in February, while Persia Pirotta had been heavily featured who paired with Duke Hudson.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer talked about the circumstances surrounding these releases. Dave believes there had to have been a miscommunication somewhere. Otherwise, there would have been no reason to place performers who were about to be fired into on-screen stories.
