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Post by The-Rock on Apr 15, 2020 19:21:03 GMT -5
While I feel bad for these guys, many of them have been released by WWE and rehired again...that's the nature of the business. Additionally, wrestlers are all independent contractors who have a small downside guarantee and are paid per appearance...so when many of these wrestlers couldn't work because of the lack of live shows it was no different than being furloughed or fired anyway.
A lot of these guys had been at risk for years and years and years, and were career enhancement talent but then got saved when they reinstituted the brand split and needed to beef up the roster so they'd have more shows and things for the live network. These type of cuts used to be a bi-annual thing from 2003 or so and on. I remember summer 2005 when the WWE cut like 20 wrestlers like it was a kid downsizing his toy collection.
I can only imagine what a guy like Zach Ryder, who had been with the company for ~14-15 years, earns relative to his drawing power. I will say I never understood why WWE didn't do more with him since he had the look and was charismatic. My guess is he was always seen as immature by Vince. The one positive is that being a WWE superstar really opens the door and is a great "resume" accolade that helps you in the future.
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Deleted
Joined on: Nov 18, 2024 2:46:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 19:24:55 GMT -5
I really dont see how anyone can be pissed at WWE/McMahon for this right now. Clearly this isnt something that was planned and they didnt "want" to do. They didnt think "Hey lets lose millions of dollars over the next month(s) and fire a bunch of people. This isnt just a WWE thing. The virus has caused destruction all across a booming economy and WWE isnt going to be immune to it. I fully expect most agents to get their jobs back when business picks up. Id likely say most wrestlers will also get picked up by one of the big 3 in the US (WWE/AEW/Impact)....many will find their niche in other markets like ROH, NWA or back in Japan. Its a bump in the road, but its not the end of the road. I agree with you, some people don't know how business works. With no house shows and live crowds for probably a year they don't need a bunch of agents and wrestlers to fill up shows. When things get back to normal wwe can hire some guys back just like every other business will do. It will be a year you think? I hope we don’t get another wrestlemania at the performance center with zero people! |
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Post by LA Times on Apr 15, 2020 19:25:56 GMT -5
While I feel bad for these guys, many of them have been released by WWE and rehired again...that's the nature of the business. Additionally, wrestlers are all independent contractors who have a small downside guarantee and are paid per appearance...so when many of these wrestlers couldn't work because of the lack of live shows it was no different than being furloughed or fired anyway. A lot of these guys had been at risk for years and years and years, and were career enhancement talent but then got saved when they reinstituted the brand split and needed to beef up the roster so they'd have more shows and things for the live network. These type of cuts used to be a bi-annual thing from 2003 or so and on. I remember summer 2005 when the WWE cut like 20 wrestlers like it was a kid downsizing his toy collection. I can only imagine what a guy like Zach Ryder, who had been with the company for ~14-15 years, earns relative to his drawing power. I will say I never understood why WWE didn't do more with him since he had the look and was charismatic. My guess is he was always seen as immature by Vince. The one positive is that being a WWE superstar really opens the door and is a great "resume" accolade that helps you in the future. Ryder got over on his own with a YouTube show and the company didn't like it, so they buried him |
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Post by JC Motors on Apr 15, 2020 19:28:40 GMT -5
While I feel bad for these guys, many of them have been released by WWE and rehired again...that's the nature of the business. Additionally, wrestlers are all independent contractors who have a small downside guarantee and are paid per appearance...so when many of these wrestlers couldn't work because of the lack of live shows it was no different than being furloughed or fired anyway. A lot of these guys had been at risk for years and years and years, and were career enhancement talent but then got saved when they reinstituted the brand split and needed to beef up the roster so they'd have more shows and things for the live network. These type of cuts used to be a bi-annual thing from 2003 or so and on. I remember summer 2005 when the WWE cut like 20 wrestlers like it was a kid downsizing his toy collection. I can only imagine what a guy like Zach Ryder, who had been with the company for ~14-15 years, earns relative to his drawing power. I will say I never understood why WWE didn't do more with him since he had the look and was charismatic. My guess is he was always seen as immature by Vince. The one positive is that being a WWE superstar really opens the door and is a great "resume" accolade that helps you in the future. Ryder got over on his own with a YouTube show and the company didn't like it, so they buried him But they gave him The Internet Championship Belt |
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zoomfactor32
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 22, 2005 9:54:34 GMT -5
Posts: 2,065
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Post by zoomfactor32 on Apr 15, 2020 19:31:26 GMT -5
Deonna Purazzo has been released Damn. I’m a big fan of Deanna Purazzo. I’d really hoped if she stuck it out she’d get a shot at becoming a big star in NXT or WWE. I really hope she and everyone else released today land on their feet and eventually get rehired or sign on with another company. I kind of hope Purazzo signs with AEW to help improve their women’s division. |
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Post by drifter on Apr 15, 2020 19:34:04 GMT -5
I agree with you, some people don't know how business works. With no house shows and live crowds for probably a year they don't need a bunch of agents and wrestlers to fill up shows. When things get back to normal wwe can hire some guys back just like every other business will do. It will be a year you think? I hope we don’t get another wrestlemania at the performance center with zero people! Thing is, it's not just getting beyond the virus itself, it's people getting beyond the fear of being in large crowds again. |
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Post by Yambag Jones on Apr 15, 2020 19:36:34 GMT -5
I hope main stream news rips big into Vince for the bs they’ve pulled this week |
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jking1979
Superstar
Joined on: Oct 3, 2019 20:00:02 GMT -5
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Post by jking1979 on Apr 15, 2020 19:42:30 GMT -5
WWE doesn't need that many wrestlers anyway. They are sports entertainment and alot of these guys couldn't be entertaining to Vince McMahon.
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Eugene69
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jul 19, 2016 14:14:10 GMT -5
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Post by Eugene69 on Apr 15, 2020 19:44:03 GMT -5
Disney world fires 43000 people but Vince is the devil for firing 22
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Post by tylerbreezee on Apr 15, 2020 19:44:50 GMT -5
Ryder got over on his own with a YouTube show and the company didn't like it, so they buried him But they gave him The Internet Championship Belt Because Neville was injured right before Wrestlemania |
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Post by Yambag Jones on Apr 15, 2020 19:46:12 GMT -5
Disney world fires 43000 people but Vince is the devil for firing 22 You’re forgetting about all the “non-essentials” WWE hasn’t been paying. |
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What?
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Feb 15, 2020 10:12:36 GMT -5
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Post by What? on Apr 15, 2020 19:48:01 GMT -5
Disney world fires 43000 people but Vince is the devil for firing 22 Did Vince see that number? If he does he might go Joe Stalin on everyone.
"A single firing is a tragedy; a million firings is a statistic" - Vincent Kennedy McMahon 1945-1999
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jking1979
Superstar
Joined on: Oct 3, 2019 20:00:02 GMT -5
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Post by jking1979 on Apr 15, 2020 19:51:57 GMT -5
I would have released most of the announce team besides Michael Cole, Booker T and Jerry Lawler.
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Post by K5 on Apr 15, 2020 19:58:35 GMT -5
If you want to see what this day means to at least one of the performers, please go and find Drake Maverick's video he posted on twitter. It's a pretty powerful two minutes. just watched it...very sad to see people’s dreams being shut down. his passion seems clear though so hopefully he thrives elsewhere. |
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Post by TheChamp420 on Apr 15, 2020 20:16:05 GMT -5
Sucks for all of them, good luck to all these guys
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Post by Yambag Jones on Apr 15, 2020 20:17:25 GMT -5
Add Ace Steel and Serena Deeb
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Post by RuthlessFigs on Apr 15, 2020 20:23:35 GMT -5
The f*ck. I wake up and half the damn roster is fired. The f*ck.
Gallows/Anderson
- This is somewhat surprising, they just signed new contracts and are featured pretty prominent. They didn't seem bothered either, seemed like they were fine with their booking and the money they were making. Hopefully they go back to NJPW, would love to see them back with the BC.
Hawkins/Ryder
- Really surprised by this... Hawkins has always been a company professional, and Ryder has always been a reliable lower card guy they can throw out there to get someone cred, and use in the mid card as a good hand.
More importantly, they were literally walking Billboards for Mattel, why the hell would you release 2 guys that promote and push more sales for your only Toy line?
Heath Slater
- This one was genuinely surprising... But now it's Heath's chance! GO GET BIG AND JACKED, COME BACK AND WITH THE WWE TITLE!!
Rowan
- Another surprising one, Vince apparently really liked Rowan... He was a good mid card giant who just suffered from crap booking.
I could see him going to Japan, maybe filling the spot Archer left.
Drake Maverick
- Like Rowan, apparently Vince really liked him and his work for the 24/7 Title. This one seems like a last second call, since he was just announced for the CW Title Tournament.
His video of his reaction was genuinely sad, you could see how broken he was.
Mike Chioda
- Seemed like he would have a job for life, given how long he's been around and how reliable he's been.
The only reason i could see for him being released is that his pay was significantly higher than the rest of the refs.
Kurt Angle
- Confusing one, i figured he was on a Legend's deal, not as an active performer...
Either way that sucks. If he doesn't have a Legend's deal, that'll suck even more, how have we not got an ECW Angle yet? Better yet HOW DID WE GET A SHIELD ANGLE BEFORE AN ECW ANGLE?
Finlay, Storm, Helms, Armstrong, Rotunda, Buck, Daivari & Kidman
- Confusing releases... Some great producers and backstage hands, gone. These are all big losses for WWE, AEW will surely pick up a few of them.
- Especially Finlay, someone who was the driving force behind the Women's Revolution.
- Sucks for Storm, he just shut his School down to work for WWE, then this happens...
Aiden English
Eric Young
EC3
Lio Rush
Sarah Logan
Rusev
Primo
Epico
Mike & Maria
No Way Jose
- Though it sucks they all just lost their jobs, these ones aren't too surprising... These were all releases expected to come eventually from frustrations, or just lack of star power in the company.
- Rusev is finally out, not sure where he'll go. Likely answer is probably AEW.
- EC3 will probably go back to IMPACT.
- Mike & Maria to back to ROH maybe.
- Lio Rush will probably go to AEW (Though i don't want him there, i just don't like him)
- Eric Young i can definitely see going to AEW, he'd be a great guy to have for his mind, and as a performer. Once they want Brodie to break out of the Dark Order, i can see Young being revealed as a new leader.
Also just want to point out
Cain Velasquez
- $5m
Tyson Fury
- $15m
That's $20 Million WWE could have saved by ending these contracts, of guys who have no purpose in WWE (Anymore)
- Fury has Boxing...
- Cain has MMA...
That $20 Million could have kept the majority, if not ALL of these hard working WRESTLERS & PRODUCERS EMPLOYED.
Regardless, it sucks they all lost their jobs, and hopefully they can all find somewhere new to go, or get re-hired by WWE once all this COVID BS ends.
Hopefully this is all over and there will be no more releases for a while...
Once again, f*ck you COVID-19.
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Post by aggressiveperfector on Apr 15, 2020 20:24:05 GMT -5
Disney world fires 43000 people but Vince is the devil for firing 22 Well...  Disneyworld for firing 43.000. Also, it's more than 22...it's a lot of people behind the scenes as well. People that don't make NEARLY as much as on screen talent. The 22 were the tip of the iceberg. |
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Post by aggressiveperfector on Apr 15, 2020 20:27:23 GMT -5
Also...how are all these people let go and that pile of vile human garbage Lars Sullivan still collecting a paycheck? Or has he been let go as well?
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Post by RuthlessFigs on Apr 15, 2020 20:33:41 GMT -5
Also...how are all these people let go and that pile of vile human garbage Lars Sullivan still collecting a paycheck? Or has he been let go as well? I think they're in a tough spot with him. With the whole Mental Health stuff he's had, and recently the tape being released, releasing him would probably look bad on them. My guess is, if the tape didn't recently come out, he'd be gone in this batch. |
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