Well, the #1 topic this week has to be the releases WWE made in two days. A lot of people were let go, and there was plenty to comment on. Many people have shared their thoughts, so I thought I’d give a run-down of who was fired, why, how they reacted, as well as what I thought of it. I’m sure you’ll read things here that you probably haven’t before.
The Dudley Boyz
– Apparently, this stems from an year ago. Bubba made a comment that pissed off Stephanie McMahon to the point where their contracts were not going to be renewed. Having in mind how much they’ve done for the company, WWE let them go on a break (a bit forcefully from what I hear) and told them to stay at home. They chose not to renew their contracts, instead of release them because they’d have to pay them more in severance pay (Once you get released, you get paid 1/4 of your down guarantee, which is $60K for most guys… Not for the Dudleyz though, I’m sure.), and also because of the history the team has made in WWE (out of a little respect). I’m sure we’ll be seeing them in the future for ECW reunion shows, or for one-night shots. To be honest, I think they ran their course, and were really out of touch. Their release makes sense to me, since they couldn’t cut it as singles guys (as witnessed back in 2002). As you can guess, they weren’t happy to be released.
Joy Giovanni
– There was no need to pay money to someone they barely use, and someone who never was able to fit on the show. She has plenty of things she can do in her future, so this wasn’t that big a deal to her. It was about time in my opinion. She should have never been hired in the first place.
Kenzo Suzuki
– Had it coming. This was the man they brought from Japan who was supposed to main-event SummerSlam 2004 with Chris Benoit. That’s how good he was in their minds. They were either blind, or Johnny Ace called the wrong person. Suzuki never made it. This cut makes sense.
Hiroko Suzuki – Not Released Yet!
– I want to share a funny story here. Seeing as Kenzo is gone, his wife was supposed to get fired too, according to sources. The funny thing is that every time WWE would call her on the day of the releases, she wouldn’t pick up her phone. Now, that’s smart! Wow. Anyway, expect her gone too.
Matt Morgan
– Some members of management were quoted that they thought Morgan “never got it” inside the ring. He was quite surprised upon finding out he was let go. This guy proved to be incredibly tough on MTV’s Tough Enough but couldn’t compete due to an injury. Based on his toughness and will during one of the competitions, where he busted his knee but didn’t give up, WWE gave him a developmental deal. I think he had a lot of potential, and had gotten to the point of doing well on the mic in OVW, but WWE killed him with the stuttering gimmick. This was all WWE’s fault. They could have used him better.
Charlie Haas & Jackie Gayda
– The cause for the firing here was mostly Jackie’s big mouth. She would often comlpain about the way she was being used. For someone who’s had the worst match in pro wrestling, you’d think she’d be smarter. Charlie’s release was shocking to everyone. Many believe it was simply due to Jackie being let go. Charlie never seemed to cut it by himself after splitting with Shelton. In my personal opinion this cut sucked, because the two just got married. Another thing here is that WWE could have used Charlie. I was so sure he’d be traded to RAW during the Draft Lottery. Wow.
Marty Jannetty
– Two weeks ago on RAW, Christian mentioned that he had “heard” Jannetty was in prison. That’s correct. Marty got in some trouble with the law, as he was arrested for domestic violence. That really turned WWE off and they didn’t want to do anything with him, which is why they let him go. In my opinion, they should have used him after the two matches he did for them before his hiring. He was hot back then, and the fans would have been into it. They messed this one up.
Dawn Marie
– She’s pregnant, fourth/fifth month. Management told her they’re a family organization and they encourage her to take care of her family. Her release came right after she had told people backstage that WWE will take care of her during her pregnancy and pay her downside guarantee. She got fired right after. Personally, I feel really bad for her. This was the worst timing she could get fired. I also think, from a business standpoint her release was dumb, because she’s the only “diva” that actually know what being a wrestling “diva” is about. I wish her the best in her future.
Mark Jindrak
– He’s known to be the biggest partier in the company. Randy Orton‘s best friend (logic works). Unlike Orton, management felt that Jindrak just didn’t cut it inside the ring. This guy has been given way too many shots now. It was time to see him go. I’ve been behind his release for a wihle.
Maven
– Similar to Jindrak (by the way, him, Jindrak, and Orton are a party clique), they felt they invested enough time in him, but he never got over. I have to agree. Maven has had his chance before, and he just didn’t cut it. I guess he’s not Tough Enough after all.
Shannon Moore
– He was supposed to be let go a long time ago, but WWE kept him for whatever reason, perhaps mostly due to Matt Hardy. Ever since the M.F.er storyline died, Shannon has been back to his original place – nowhere. They tried to give him a short lived push but nothing seemed to work. It’s a shame, because he’s a good worker. You also have to consider the releases of the crusierweights they made. They did bring Mexicool to replace them.
James Yun (Akio)
– Another victim of the cruiserweights cut. Lots of people thought, that just like Shannon, he’d be gone a long time ago. He’s a really good worker who has a future on the indy scene. I wish he’d gotten a bigger shot in WWE.
David Heath (Gangrel)
– They had nothing for him to do. Which makes me wonder – Why the hell hire him then? Ugh. At least they did something with Viscera. Gangrel showed up on TV once, got destroyed by ‘Taker and that was that. Good decision.
Billy Kidman
– He was very pissed. Refused to do a WWE.com interview but told them he’ll talk to them in the future. Many felt he would have been released sooner if it wasn’t for Torrie Wilson. Billy never seemed to get a break in WWE, although they have tried to push him in the past. Many think Wilson will quit because of this, although WWE won’t mind. She’s gotten big-headed latley too, due to her Playboy shoot. Good worker who will always have a job on the indy scene, if he wanted to.
Spike Dudley
– Perhaps the most experienced and hardest working guy from all the ones that were cut. He was released because WWE simply felt they’ve done all that they could with him. I have to agree. They’ve given Spike a nice run for his money, and have used him in plenty of roles. He’s not exactly your regular wrestler, either. He was very upset about his release, as written on this site, and called WWE “a sinking ship.” In my opinion, we’ll be seeing him in the future for ECW events. I feel that he was let go because it wouldn’t have made sense to not renew the Dudleyz’ contracts, yet keep him. I have a strong feeling we’ll see him in the future though.
Kevin Fertig/Mordecai
– He was described by some upper management as “too outspoke” in the company, which rubbed them the wrong way. Was said to be a very nice guy backstage who was willing to learn. He was called up too soon, and he was way too green to be on TV. Had potential but not enough Cornette time. I think that’s a good cut.
Well, I hope you all learned something you didn’t know before reading this! Let me know of your thoughts by e-mailing me.
Eddie
Levski11@aol.com
