Major News: WWE Expected To Release Several Wrestlers

Date Added: June 28, 2005


Reports from backstage indicate that WWE management will be cutting several members from the talent roster in the coming weeks. Although no names are available, wrestlers are said to be on alert for a potential release.

While some past release threats did not materialize, the belief is that WWE will definitely be following through with releases in the coming weeks.

The upcoming move to USA is undoubtedly the driving force in the decision to make cuts. With WWE set to gross less from USA than Spike TV on RAW, and the loss of two weekend shows, the need for budget limitations is imminent.

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Here is some talent I think might get cut due to lack of air time:

Raw:

William Regal
Tajiri
Sylvain Grenier
Rob Conway
Maven
Simon Dean
Val Venis
Steven Richards

Smackdown:

Funaki
Nunzio
Shannon Moore
Scotty 2 Hotty
Spike Dudley
Bubba Ray Dudley
D-Von Dudley
Torrie Wilson
Dawn Marie
Charlie Haas
Jackie Gayda
Hardcore Holly
Kenzo Suzuki
Billy Kidman
Mark Jindrak
Rene Dupree

You can bet some cruiserweight will be cut, considering the signing of Juventud, Psychosis, and Super Crazy.

wow!!! ..........They cant get rid of the Dudleys. The rest can go, especially that jerk-off Hardcore Holly.

Not my fav. couple CHarlie Haas & Jackie Gayda-Haas :(

i agree with your list except the Dudleys....they need to be all raw again.

I think billy kidman should stay as well.....very talented wrestler.

I think the Dudleys will be gone soon. They have been cleared to wrestle for awhile now and still have not returned to TV except for the ECW One Night Stand and the Raw and Smackdown before that PPV. The Dudley's have accomplished everything as a tag team. There singles runs in 2002 bombed miserably. Plus they have been with the WWE a lot longer than the some of the newer younger talent.

Billy Kidman has also been on the verge of being cut several times. He was never a favorite of Vince McMahon and Triple H. The only reason the WWE did not fire him was because of Torrie Wilson (his real life wife). Now that she does not really have star power anymore, she might be on the chopping block as well.

I think the Dudleys will be gone soon. They have been cleared to wrestle for awhile now and still have not returned to TV except for the ECW One Night Stand and the Raw and Smackdown before that PPV. The Dudley's have accomplished everything as a tag team. There singles runs in 2002 bombed miserably. Plus they have been with the WWE a lot longer than the some of the newer younger talent.

Billy Kidman has also been on the verge of being cut several times. He was never a favorite of Vince McMahon and Triple H. The only reason the WWE did not fire him was because of Torrie Wilson (his real life wife). Now that she does not really have star power anymore, she might be on the chopping block as well.


ok, i can see Kidman gone, but i guess i cant see the Dudleys gone because they are one the last true tag-team wrestlers in WWE. But, youre right, its time for a change.

I would say at least 2 cruiserweights will be cut considering Chavo has left the division.

I would say at least 2 cruiserweights will be cut considering Chavo has left the division.


like who?

My guess is Shannon Moore & Funaki

Funaki will stay since he serves as an interviewer and he has been around since 1998. I think Shannon Moore, Billy Kidman, or Spike Dudley.

I got four of the five releases:

Akio is the only one I did not see coming, he is one of the best cruiserweights I have ever seen.

Add Spike Dudley to the list

THEY FIRED CHARLIE HAAS & MISS JACKIE! :angryfire :mumble: :wallbang :censored: :explode: :2mad :sarah:

WWE releases several Superstars
July 5, 2005

WWE has decided not to proceed with any renegotiations with Bubba and D-Von Dudley. We wish both Bubba and D-Von the best in all future endeavors.

Also, World Wrestling Entertainment has come to agreements on the release of the following Superstars. WWE would like to wish them the best in their future endeavors.

* Joy Giovanni
* Kenzo Suzuki
* Matt Morgan
* Charlie Haas
* Jackie Gayda
* Marty Jannetty
* Dawn Marie
* Mark Jindrak
* Maven
* Shannon Moore
* James Yun (Akio)
* David Heath (Gangrel)
* Billy Kidman
* Spike Dudley
* Kevin Fertig
* Bubba Ray Dudley
* D-Von Dudley
* Hiroko Suzuki

I added a poll.... :crazy:

Here is the most probable reasons as to why these talents were cut:

Spike Dudley - had been with WWE since 2001, probably viewed as only marketable in the cruiserweight division, plus he had been out injured for the last few months.

Kevin Fertig (Mordecai) - made a horrible debut last summer, was sent to OVW for further training after only a month on the main roster, recently had gotten into a dispute with OVW trainer Jim Cornette and had gotten into a bar fight which resulted in arrest. He was just screaming to be released.

Bubba Ray Dudley - had been out of action since last fall nursing various injuries, had been with WWE since 1999, most likely reason is that it was a money issue.

D-Von Dudley - same as above

Charlie Haas - This one I do not understand, he is one of the most talented superstars in the WWE, has been with WWE since 2002 when he and Shelton Benjamin entered the WWE together as the tag team of Team Angle in Kurt Angle's stable, where they dominated the tag division in 2003 and part of 2004. When Shelton got traded to Raw in March 2004, Charlie Haas really never found any success, he got bounced from being Velocity talent, to having a love triangle with his real life wife Jackie Gayda and Dawn Marie, to most recently forming a tag team with Hardcore Holly and having a brief feud for the Smackdown Tag Titles with Nitro and Mercury. Charle Haas should have been traded to Raw and either reform with Shelton of feud with him. The WWE definately dropped the ball here.

Miss Jackie Gayda - not much loss, really was only used as eye candy on Smackdown, most notably known for having the worst match in WWE history with Trish Stratus in 2002 on Raw after winning Tough Enough 2. After being sent to OVW, the WWE decided to repackage her as a manager and hooked her up with Rico, both got traded to Smackdown last year, Rico later got released and she hooked up with Charlie Haas whom she married a few weeks ago. She and Charlie Haas broke up on screen which resulted in her being regulated to bikini contests, etc.

Marty Jannetty - this one was coming, Jannetty was signed to a contract last March 2005 after impressing WWE management in his match with Kurt Angle on Smackdown and reforming the Rockers on Raw for one night in a tag match with La Resistance. Recently had been jailed for DUI and assualt of his girlfriend which probably was the nail in the coffin. Jannetty was primarily going to be used to help train OVW talent.

Dawn Marie - If your a WWE DIVA, DO NOT GET PREGNANT, plus age is a factor, Dawn Marie is in her mid 30s, and once your 30 in the WWE you are considered "Old". Only role she ever had was eye candy for Smackdown and a feud with Torrie Wilson in 2003.

Matt Morgan - this one kind of shocked me, the reason I believe is Morgan was being portrayed as a monster similiar to Brock Lesnar and he was even using the F-5, now since Lesnar is returning, the WWE cannot have two stars using the same gimmick. Matt Morgan had only been on the main roster since April 2005 where he was most notably known for being Carlito's bodyguard until Carlito got drafted to Raw. Matt Morgan initially debuted in the WWE in 2003, but was quickly sent back to OVW for further training.

Kenzo Suzuki - Had been injured since February 2005, initially was to have a huge push under another gimmick, but certain stereotyping issues changed his gimmick where he competed on Smackdown in the mid-card division. Most notable success was a Smackdown tag title run with Rene Dupree last Fall.

Hiroko Suzuki - wife of Kenzo, she really had nothing since her husband served her gimmick.

Joy Giovanni - signed to a contract after last year's Tough Enough, I see her being let go because she really had nothing on her like the other Diva's have. Maria is the ditzy interview girl on Raw, Christy is the Diva Search winner, Candice is the Superbowl girl, Michelle McCool has wrestling experience, so does Melina Perez. Joy only served as eye candy.

Here is the most probable reasons as to why these talents were cut:

Charlie Haas - This one I do not understand, he is one of the most talented superstars in the WWE, has been with WWE since 2002 when he and Shelton Benjamin entered the WWE together as the tag team of Team Angle in Kurt Angle's stable, where they dominated the tag division in 2003 and part of 2004. When Shelton got traded to Raw in March 2004, Charlie Haas really never found any success, he got bounced from being Velocity talent, to having a love triangle with his real life wife Jackie Gayda and Dawn Marie, to most recently forming a tag team with Hardcore Holly and having a brief feud for the Smackdown Tag Titles with Nitro and Mercury. Charle Haas should have been traded to Raw and either reform with Shelton of feud with him. The WWE definately dropped the ball here.

Miss Jackie Gayda - not much loss, really was only used as eye candy on Smackdown, most notably known for having the worst match in WWE history with Trish Stratus in 2002 on Raw after winning Tough Enough 2. After being sent to OVW, the WWE decided to repackage her as a manager and hooked her up with Rico, both got traded to Smackdown last year, Rico later got released and she hooked up with Charlie Haas whom she married a few weeks ago. She and Charlie Haas broke up on screen which resulted in her being regulated to bikini contests, etc.

THis would've been perfect.Shelton Benjamin gets traded to RAW,teams with Haas against MNM,then Jackie comes down a Melina is about to interfere which allows The World's Greatest Tag Team become Tag Champions for what,the 3rd time I think?Then they will have Jackie as their manager

None of those wrestlers releases served any real purpose to the roster.Haas had potential, but lets face it, he was nothing without Benjamin. Shelton is a hot, up and coming singles wrestler. He would've been held back if he was put into a tag team. The rest were either old, not used or served no real purpose.

I hope Shelton is not going anywhere, he has been absent from Raw since he lost the IC title to Carlito.

None of those wrestlers releases served any real purpose to the roster.Haas had potential, but lets face it, he was nothing without Benjamin. Shelton is a hot, up and coming singles wrestler. He would've been held back if he was put into a tag team. The rest were either old, not used or served no real purpose.
Not true.He was nothing without Jackie as his manager.He stayed on Smackdown! and became tag champs with Rico.Then while Rico was injured,Jackie stayed by Charlie's side and they saw the chemistry I saw and became a couple during that time.He gained a lot of popularity during that time.When they had Haas & Gayda break up in the storyline,he wasn't on Smackdown! as much.To quote John Cena when Haas was on his team along with RVD."Charlie's a great mat wrestler,that ain't no suprise.(turns to Charlie)You're on my team because of Jackie(goes to her) who has nice,big....eyes!Eyes!Eyes!" :lol:

Jackie had a big ego and a big mouth for a "Diva" that did absolutely nothing. I'm glad they canned her. As for Haas, he has talent, but zero personality. When was Haas ever popular? Everytime I saw him, you could hear crickets when he entered the arena.

Major Roster Cut Update: Why Jindrak, Maven, Suzuki, Gangrel Were Released

Date Added: July 13, 2005

Source: PWTorch.com Newsletter

As has been reported, last week's explosive WWE roster cuts were largely done with cost in mind. However, in choosing which talent to cut, various factors were evaluated. Below are specific reasons for several of the releases.

- In addition to lacking the in-ring and microphone skills necessary to succeed, Mark Jindrak reportedly did not have a great attitude and was said to be more interested in life on the road than becoming a great wrestler. WWE felt that he had numerous opportunities to get over on television, and failed each time.

- Aside from having a mixed backstage reputation, Maven was also said to be progressing very slowly as a wrestler and having trouble connecting with the fans.

- Despite the initial backing of Johnny Ace, Kenzo Suzuki, too, did not have the charisma or in-ring ability needed to warrant a place on the roster.

- WWE had little use for David "Gangrel" Heath - his gimmick was far too outdated for the modern scene.

Jackie had a big ego and a big mouth for a "Diva" that did absolutely nothing. I'm glad they canned her. As for Haas, he has talent, but zero personality. When was Haas ever popular? Everytime I saw him, you could hear crickets when he entered the arena.
Haas' popularity rose when he & Rico became a tag team.Then once Jackie stayed with him instead of staying off camera while Rico was injured,he really became a popular wrestler.

If he was so popular, they would've never released him.

How in the hell can WWE say Mark Jindrak had numerous times to get over???

When he first arrived in WWE after the WCW buyout in 2001, all he did was accompany the WCW/ECW alliance and seldom wrestled. He was then sent to OVW after poor ring work. He did not even get called up back to the main roster until July 2003 and then formed a very unsuccessful tag team with Garrison Cade whom has been on the injured list for over a year now. They never really had a gimmick, and Cade was the most boring wrestler I had ever seen, his look and mic skills were terrible and his ring work was not much better. I think he is still contracted, so I assume he could be back, but I doubt it. Anyway, there team shifted from FACES to HEELS and really never picked up any key wins except for competing in a Fatal 4 Way match at Wrestlemania 20 in March 2004. Then Mark Jindrak is drafted to Smackdown in the 2004 Draft Lottery and is immediately given that horrible Narcissist gimmick with Teddy Long as his manager, it was an exact duplicate gimmick of the failed Lex Luger Narcissist gimmick in 1993 which only lasted a few months that year. Anyway Jindrak and Teddy Long were featured only on Velocity and were never given a chance, because the fans hated the gimmick. Teddy Long left Jindrak and it was only explained that they had mutually parted ways. Jindrak continued to use the gimmick only on Velocity, and then was taken off TV for about a month. Long returned a few weeks later after leaving Jindrak as General Manager of Smackdown. About the same time Jindrak returned to TV and attacked the Big Show and joined up with Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns. This is where Jindrak had his most success being with Angle and forming a tag team with Reigns. There tag team dissolved in March 2005 and Jindrak turned FACE and was mostly used as a Velocity jobber until his release last week.

So, the only time Jindrak probably got over was when he was with Kurt Angle because he got a lot of Angle's Heel Heat. But it was the WWE's fault because the fans simply did not take to Cade which brought Jindrak down, and the Narcissist gimmick was dead from the beginning.

How in the hell can WWE say Mark Jindrak had numerous times to get over???

When he first arrived in WWE after the WCW buyout in 2001, all he did was accompany the WCW/ECW alliance and seldom wrestled. He was then sent to OVW after poor ring work. He did not even get called up back to the main roster until July 2003 and then formed a very unsuccessful tag team with Garrison Cade whom has been on the injured list for over a year now. They never really had a gimmick, and Cade was the most boring wrestler I had ever seen, his look and mic skills were terrible and his ring work was not much better. I think he is still contracted, so I assume he could be back, but I doubt it. Anyway, there team shifted from FACES to HEELS and really never picked up any key wins except for competing in a Fatal 4 Way match at Wrestlemania 20 in March 2004. Then Mark Jindrak is drafted to Smackdown in the 2004 Draft Lottery and is immediately given that horrible Narcissist gimmick with Teddy Long as his manager, it was an exact duplicate gimmick of the failed Lex Luger Narcissist gimmick in 1993 which only lasted a few months that year. Anyway Jindrak and Teddy Long were featured only on Velocity and were never given a chance, because the fans hated the gimmick. Teddy Long left Jindrak and it was only explained that they had mutually parted ways. Jindrak continued to use the gimmick only on Velocity, and then was taken off TV for about a month. Long returned a few weeks later after leaving Jindrak as General Manager of Smackdown. About the same time Jindrak returned to TV and attacked the Big Show and joined up with Kurt Angle and Luther Reigns. This is where Jindrak had his most success being with Angle and forming a tag team with Reigns. There tag team dissolved in March 2005 and Jindrak turned FACE and was mostly used as a Velocity jobber until his release last week.

So, the only time Jindrak probably got over was when he was with Kurt Angle because he got a lot of Angle's Heel Heat. But it was the WWE's fault because the fans simply did not take to Cade which brought Jindrak down, and the Narcissist gimmick was dead from the beginning.

I disagree, I think Jindrak did have his chances and failed everytime. He is not that solid in the ring and has zero mic skills which are very important nowadays.

Charlie Haas had a chance of making if giving time and the right storyline.

exactly.Plus if Rico wasn't released,Charlie & Jackie would've stayed together on camera and they wouldn't have been released

Four More WWE Wrestler Releases?, More Huge Roster Cut News

Date Added: July 19, 2005

- According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE originally planned to release an additional four wrestlers from the company, but for whatever reason, opted not to follow through with such intentions. None of the four names have been revealed.

- The PWTorch.com Newsletter offered a cynical view as it relates to Torrie Wilson's job security, noting that her involvement in promotional material for the Great American Bash likely served as a saving grace for the diva. Wilson, wife of the released Billy Kidman, is known for having a bad backstage attitude.

- Lauren Jones, who was announced as being released several weeks back, has been emailing reporters and friends that she plans to resume work with WWE after finishing up a hosting gig for a reality show.

I wonder who were the other 3 wrestlers that were going to be released? I know Torrie was one of them.

Probably any jobber such as Val Venis, Rob Conway, Tyson Tomko, Funaki, Nunzio, Hardcore Holly, etc.

Those are people that should've been fired in the fall instead of Rico & Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli

especially Hardcore Holly. What a jerk.

It hard to believe that Hardcore Holly has been in WWE longer than anyone except Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker and still has a job.

yeah, especially when he tried to hurt another wrestler, but Lesnar took care of him.

Bob Holly still has a job, because he is an enforcer for Vince McMahon. If a wrestler needs to be taught a lesson in respect, Vince sends him or JBL out to teach it.

i think Lesnar taught Holly a lesson by almost breaking his neck.

Wrestling is as fake as Pamela Lees chest, why do you even care?

Ivory also has been released