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Welcome to another edition of the daily WWE Rumor Roundup where we try and bring you the biggest WWE news and rumors from the day.
This week's edition of the WWE News Round-up is a packed one because of everything that took place yesterday. Yes, I'm talking about the releases of Superstars, producers and other personnel made by WWE as part of their cost-cutting measures.
While the releases dominate this edition of the round-up, we also take a look at a number of other significant news pieces from the week. Christian gave his thoughts on if he will return to the ring. We also had Big Show revealing about how he'd been warned against working with John Cena early on in Cena's career.
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We have all this and a lot more in this week's Round-Up. Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
16 RAW and SmackDown stars released
With the global financial turmoil brought about by the COVID-19, WWE decided on some drastic cost-cutting measures which led to a number of Superstars being released. The biggest names released include Rusev, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins and Heath Slater.
A number of NXT Superstars were also let go including Lio Rush and Deona Purrazzo.
According to Dave Meltzer, AEW could be interested in signing a few names released by WWE. There is also the possibility that WWE could re-hire a number of the released Superstars when things go back to normal, whenever that is.
Reports also suggest that released Superstars from the main roster could have a 90-day non-compete clause while released Superstars from NXT could have a 30-day non-compete clause.
Full list of released RAW and SmackDown Superstars: Rusev, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Heath Slater, Rowan, Eric Young, Drake Maverick, EC3, No Way Jose, Mike and Maria Kanellis, Sarah Logan, Primo and Epico.
Legendary WWE referee released and multiple personnel placed on furlough
We move on to more news from the WWE releases. Apart from the Superstars released, a number of producers have been placed on furlough. These include Billy Kidman, Lance Storm and Fit Finlay.
Three coaches from the WWE Performance Center have also been placed on furlough. The coaches placed on furlough are Serena Deeb, Ace Steel and Kendo Kashin.
The most surprising aspect of the releases was the release of legendary WWE referee Mike Chioda. Chioda has been with the company for 30 years, his first match coming way back in 1989. Throughout his illustrious career, Mike Chioda officiated a number of legendary matches including The Rock versus Hulk Hogan as well as the Big Show versus Brock Lesnar match where the ring broke.
Other releases include announcers Aiden English and Jerry Soto. Josiah Williams was also let go from his contract. There are reports that suggest that there could be more personnel in WWE corporate who could also get laid off because of the cost-cutting measures.
Visit WWE Raw Results for results of WWE RAW
Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Randy Orton and others react to WWE releases
Seth Rollins was one of the WWE Superstars who reacted to the releases on social media. Rollins took to Twitter and encouraged fans to come together:
Today is an extremely difficult day for our industry as a whole, but especially our WWE family. If we start fighting amongst ourselves, it's only going to make things worse. So I encourage everybody to come together on this, unify and lift each other up.
RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch also addressed the “tough day” on social media. She posted the following message on Twitter:
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, reacting to the releases. She called it a “tough day for wrestling families”. She urged everyone to look after each other in these difficult times. Here’s a part of her message:
Today was a tough day for wrestling families everywhere, as it's been for everyone around the world these last few months. I share sadness w/the fans for our Superstars, & across the locker room for our friends - on and off screen. Every single one of them have risked a LOT to be here. But what's kept me smiling is that every one of those people I text today, their responses have been very reassuring.
Randy Orton also posted a tribute to Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Drake Maverick with the following photo he posted on Instagram:
Get the full list of WWE Events affected by the corona virus pandemic
Tama Tonga teases Bullet Club reunion for Gallows and Anderson
Before they signed with the WWE, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were big stars over in Japan with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The duo were members of Bullet Club, one of the most popular factions in pro wrestling.
Gallows and Anderson’s time in WWE wasn’t as successful as it could have been, with the duo booked inconsistently during their early run in the company. However, they still managed to win the RAW Tag-Team Championships during their run in the company.
After the duo were released as a part of WWE’s latest cost-cutting measures, Tama Tonga teased a Bullet Club reunion for the duo on Twitter. You can check out Tama Tonga’s Tweet below:
Gallows and Anderson were a top tag-team in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The duo won the IWGP Tag-Team Championships thrice during their run in NJPW. They also won the 2013 World Tag League.
Could we see Gallows and Anderson return to New Japan Pro Wrestling or should they sign with AEW? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Christian rules out returning to the ring following Edge’s return
Edge made his sensational return to WWE at the Royal Rumble, following nine years out of the game. He went on to impress in the Rumble match before beating Randy Orton at WrestleMania in a Last Man Standing match.
Christian was recently a guest on WWE legend Booker T's Hall of Fame podcast. Following Edge’s return, Christian was asked during the interview if he could possibly follow Edge and return to the ring. Sadly, Christian emphatically ruled it out. Here’s what he said regarding the matter:
I mean, it's one of those things right? It's a completely different injury. I'm pretty content with all that I have accomplished in WWE. I pretty much accomplished everything I wanted to do except main event WrestleMania and I mean, let's be honest, how many people actually get to do that?I'm 46 years old, and I had some concussion issues. I don't see it happening. I'm medically disqualified. I'm not sure how or what can get me cleared.
Big Show was warned against working with John Cena
WWE legend, Big Show, was recently a guest on The Bump. The multiple-time world champion made an interesting revelation during his appearance. Show revealed that early on in John Cena’s WWE career, he was warned against working with the up and comer.
Big Show said that the warning came on the day of WrestleMania 20 where he was defending the WWE United States Championship against Cena. Here's what Show said:
That day I had about eight little private meetings where all these guys were telling me why I shouldn’t work with this kid because he’s a flash in the pan, he’s this, he’s that, and I’m like, ‘No, I think there’s something more to the guy.’ And years later now those same people that questioned him line up to shake his hand, tell him how amazing he is.
Big Show went on to say that he saw something in the young John Cena and believed he would go on to a big Superstar one day. Show was definitely correct with his assessment of Cena 16 years ago.
