A number of WWE releases were revealed, and Fightful Select has gained more information on them.
A number of WWE releases took place on February 27.
We're told the calls were made right around the start of Smackdown and have learned more on the cuts.
AOP came into WWE with a bit of heat throughout the industry due to some of their outside projects. One of which saw a few people in wrestling put money in, and were upset they didn't get back. One person in WWE said that could be a reason they were put with Karrion Kross who is generally well liked. AOP had been adamant that Paul Ellering join the company with them when they were re-signed. They were actually under contract a number of months before reappearing. Many in the company saw it as a rough omen when they were hardly on TV with Kross. There were no creative plans for AOP and Ellering following the Wyatts.
Sonya Deville's contract is expiring and will not be renewed.
She will be eligible for free agency upon it expiring, which we're told is in a number of weeks.
Cedric Alexander was released and will be a free agent in 90 days. AEW sources expected several within the Hurt Syndicate to push for him.
For those asking, Karl Anderson is still injured, and is looking at least at 3-6 months minimum before he'd be cleared. Releasing injured talent it very out of the ordinary for WWE, and we're looking to see if there's any additional context. We're told despite this he's in good spirits.
Blair Davenport was a topic of conversation after reports elsewhere months ago emerged that she was planned to be used more, Fightful asked about Davenport's status in November, December and early January, and were told that she hadn't been discussed for creative plans. She is expected to have global interest from many companies.
Not until around the Royal Rumble, when we asked about her speaking in the background with Piper Niven was a direction given. We're told that recently she was brought to TV and pitched on the idea of joining Chelsea Green and Piper Niven's group. It got as far as a secret service outfit being prepared, but had been delayed.
There were some in the company that were high on Giovanni Vinci upon creating the vignettes for him last year. That didn't end up conveying to TV, and most that we've spoken to believe he was pushed down the card with them knowing he wouldn't be brought back.
Regarding Alba Fyre, nobody in the company has said anything about her being released as of yet, just Isla Dawn. One talent claimed that Isla Dawn was at TV last night, though we've not confirmed that.
Those close with AOP and Paul Ellering we've spoken to believe they will continue to perform.
Those within NXT Fightful spoke to believe the releases are tied to a new batch of call-ups being brought in to main roster in 2025.
This article first appeared on our premium service, Fightful Select and was republished here on Fightful for SEO reasons. If you complain about it being "old news," you have to fund a new Bengals stadium. Subscribe to get exclusive news every day, and a half-dozen weekly podcasts.
To directly support us and our continuing breaking news, interviews, and the like, subscribe to FightfulSelect.com. You'll get exclusive news sent to you directly before anyone else, and dozens of podcasts monthly including Alex Pawlowski's Sour Graps, Sean Ross Sapp's Q&A, Retro Reviews and more
