The Matt Hardy release was indeed related to the Edge/Lita situation. However, to say that Hardy was released simply because the company felt there’s going to be too much tension backstage now that Lita is with someone else (and cheated on Matt) is not right. The reason Hardy was let go was mainly due to the fact that he was the one to make noise about the situation (indirectly). It is believed that he got a lot of heat on him when a close associate of his contacted Internet websites about the situation. That’s a big no-no in WWE, seeing as management hates it when their talent spreads rumors and news to the Internet. Although Hardy didn’t do it himself, the company was aware that information leaked through him. When it was obvious that they couldn’t go on the way things were, WWE figured that Edge was more important to them than Hardy was, and the rest is history. A few of you may note here that it is not WWE’s business to barge into the personal relationships of its employees, and you would be absolutely right. However, when tension arises backstage and it creates for an unhealthy environment to work in, they would definitely step in. Also, it should be noted that there’s more to Hardy’s release than just the Lita-Edge situation. Word has it that his release was also partially due to underlying heat with Talent Relations head John Laurinatis, dating back to 2001. That was the year Ace came from WCW to the WWE, and many of the WWF (back then) stars at the time felt unhappy with someone coming over from WCW and telling them what to do since they felt as the superior product (WWF) should have more say in what goes on. Obviously, Laurinatis gained power through the years and ended up taking Jim Ross’s job of head of Talent Relations, which backfired on Hardy, who was one of the people that were vocal against Ace. Reports say that Hardy has been “burned out” by everything that he’s gone through in the past several months (and his posts on the board over at his website reflect that), and getting released will help him move on for the time being. The boys in the back feel that it was mistake to let go of him, as he’s known for being a well liked guy, who works very hard. Hardy can’t work for any other wrestling organization in the next 90 days, after which he’s free to do so. I’m guessing TNA is already on it.
When it comes to Molly Holly, it was actually her decision to leave the company, as she requested her own release. Sources say she did so on Monday in a 15 minute conversation with Johnny Ace. She had asked for a push as a face before requesting her release, but the answer was that WWE didn’t feel she fits the role well and couldn’t do that for her. Also, word’s been going around that Molly has been questioning as of late, whether or not she is interested in staying in pro wrestling or leaving it altogether, so you can see how all of this affects her release.
Jesus was let go because WWE felt that his injuries would not allow him to once again work a full-time WWE schedule. His physical conditioning will simply not return to 100%, which can only tell you how severe the injury was.
As far as OVW worker Will Jones goes, the word on him is that he wasn’t improving as fast as WWE management felt he should be, and he didn’t have enough support (Eric Angle everybody?) to push for him to be kept under any developmental deal.
Eddie
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