#3 Triple H rehired Drake Maverick
WWE released over 20 Superstars in April 2020 as a cost-cutting measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including Drake Maverick. Unlike the other Superstars who received their releases, Maverick had already been confirmed as a participant in the Cruiserweight Championship tournament on Triple H’s NXT brand, which meant he still competed in matches despite his contract coming to an end.
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Maverick gained a huge amount of support from fans when he posted an emotional video on social media after finding out the news about his release. This led to him becoming one of the most popular Superstars in the tournament, which culminated in him losing against El Hijo Del Fantasma in the final.
As part of the Maverick storyline, which blurred the lines between fiction and reality at times, he had to win the tournament to keep his job. However, despite the defeat, Triple H appeared after the match to hand the Superstar an NXT contract.
Triple H later explained in a media call that Maverick was originally supposed to be released, but he decided to rehire the former 24/7 Champion after he “captured people’s hearts and imagination” during the Cruiserweight Championship tournament.