The backstage reaction to the recent WWE releases, including one which ‘surprised’ people in the company, has been revealed.
WWE held it’s latest round of NXT releases on May 3, with a number of developmental talents being released from their contracts, including Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson.
Fightful Select has provided an update on the backstage reaction to a number of the releases.
The WWE Next Gen recruits that were let go caused some confusion, as the season had just ended right before the releases were announced.
Fightful confirmed that the recruits’ deals with NXT began after the show was taped, but they were not able to announce their signings until the show aired several weeks ago.
Valentina Feroz and Boa were two of the longer tenured names released, and both have been struggling with injuries in recent months.
NXT talent that spoke to Fightful had expressed that they believe the two didn’t get consistent shots to show what they were capable of due to the injuries.
Trey Bearhill’s release was one that surprised several within NXT, ranging from talent to production and other roles within the brand.
Those in the company dismissed the idea that he was released due to similarities with Eddy Thorpe, another NXT star with Native American heritage.
The release of Gable Steveson didn’t come as a surprise to people in NXT that spoke to Fightful, with one talent pointing out the difference in development from Steveson’s brother, Damon Kemp, and the gold medalist.
Those in the company are of the belief that it was a lack of progression that factored into his release rather than his previous trouble with the law.
Drew Gulak has not been released from the company, and is still under contract as of now, but his contract won’t be being picked up when it expires.
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