Sweeping Talent Cuts at WWE Following UFC Merger: What This Means for the Industry

In a dramatic shake-up, WWE has started cutting talent from its on-screen roster. This move comes hot on the heels of the company’s sale to Endeavor and subsequent merger with UFC under TKO Group Holdings. While the industry had been buzzing with rumors that most of the cuts would come from corporate offices due to redundancies, the reality has been more jarring for WWE fans. As of Thursday, September 21st, multiple high-profile stars have been released.

The Big Names

Mustafa Ali, a WWE NXT star who was with the company for seven years, announced his release on Twitter. Emma, who had just returned to WWE SmackDown this summer, also confirmed her departure. Riddick Moss, Rick Boogs, and Aliyah — all from WWE SmackDown — have been shown the door. Other stars like free agent Elias, Top Dolla, and veterans like Shelton Benjamin and Dolph Ziggler have been let go. Even Monday Night Raw wasn’t spared, with stars like Dana Brooke, Mace, and Mansoor also being released.

The Impact

These departures represent a seismic shift for WWE, with stars who have been with the company for close to a decade or more now looking at uncertain futures. Given the talent pool that’s just been made available, it’s likely that other wrestling promotions will be keen to snap them up.

For WWE, the cuts are likely an effort to streamline operations post-merger, but they’ve also created gaps in storylines and shaken up tag teams and factions. This also raises questions about the direction WWE is taking. Is the focus shifting more towards UFC-style presentations or will the wrestling giant stick to its storytelling roots?

What’s Next?

While it’s too early to predict the full impact of these releases, they undoubtedly mark the end of an era for WWE as it knew it. The industry will be watching closely as these talented wrestlers find new homes and WWE reveals its post-merger identity.

For the fans, these are bittersweet times. While it’s sad to say goodbye to beloved stars, it’s also an opportunity to see them shine on different stages. Who knows, this could be the dawn of an even more exciting epoch in professional wrestling.

Share your thoughts on these sweeping changes in the comments below, and don’t forget to keep an eye on this space for the latest in wrestling news.