WWE on Thursday announced another round of roster cuts and some of those let go are well-known names in the pro wrestling industry.
Among those released by World Wrestling Entertainment included Samoa Joe, who had spent the past year as a commentator for “Monday Night Raw.” His in-ring experience, though, goes beyond WWE and includes time with TNA/Impact Wrestling.
Samoa Joe, just this past weekend, was part of the commentary team during “WrestleMania 37” in Tampa, Fla. News came out after the two-night event that he was being moved off the “Raw” commentary team. Thursday, he was let go.
Once the news broke, the pro wrestler went to Twitter and posted this on his account.
Former WWE Women’s Champ Mickie James Among Those Released
Mickie James, who came back to WWE after having a previous run with the company, also was let go. James, whose husband Nick Aldis is the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, is a multi-time WWE champion and also has been in TNA/Impact during her career.
James took to Twitter and had this to say in response to her release on Thursday: “Grateful for the memories. Grateful for the locker room. Grateful for the fans. (And) Grateful for these little keys to my golden handcuffs. You can never expected others vision of you to be big as your own dreams. Thank you @VinceMcMahon#AlwaysBlessedAndGrateful“.
Other names catching attention from pro wrestling fans include Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, who were part of “The Iiconics” women’s wrestling tag team division in WWE. That was before the company broke up the team, putting Kay and Royce on “SmackDown” and “Raw” respectively.
WWE also released pro wrestlers Kalisto, Tucker, Chelsea Green, Bo Dallas, and Wesley Blake. In WWE, pro wrestlers are called “WWE Superstars” as that is Chairman Vince McMahon’s decision.
Pro Wrestling Personalities, Fans Not Happy With Decisions
Thursday’s news quickly brought responses from pro wrestling fans and personalities alike.
Renee Paquette, a former WWE on-air talent, said, “How do you drop the ball on SAMOA JOE?!?!? How?! Injuries aside, what a mistake.” Paquette is best-known by fans as her former name, Renee Young. She’s also the wife of AEW pro wrestler Jon Moxley, who spent some time in his career in WWE.
Ryan Satin, a WWE analyst for Fox Sports, said, “The fact that Samoa Joe never became a World Champion in WWE is an absolute shame.” As a side note, “SmackDown” airs on FOX TV on Friday nights.
A fan on Twitter, @The_Starstruck, wrote, “The fact that Mickie James, Billie Kay and Samoa Joe are trending right now, shows something..”.
