Samoa Joe released

[Yer Maw]

As well as Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Kalisto, Chelsea Green, Mickie James, Tucker, Wesley Blake and Bo Dallas.

Some shocks in there but the biggest one is Samoa Joe for me.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

The one real women's tag team and best announcer. If this was any other company, I'd be surprised.

[Alex]

I'd like Joe to return to Impact. Have a nice resurgence of classic talent

[Y 2 Jake]

All the ones you care about will be fine.

I though Joe was good at the announce desk but I think his in ring days were over in WWE. I hope he goes back to Impact too.

Joe and Billie Kay being released show how little WWE plan in advance. They were on Mania less than a week ago.

I expect more and I'm curious who it'll be.

[Yer Maw]

Thought for sure Aleister Black would be one of them but apparently they've been filming vignettes and they're airing soon.

Reason given is budget cuts, even thought they just got a billion pound deal with peacock...each year that company gets worse

[Y 2 Jake]

I don't see the problem with trimming the fat, even if you make billion dollar deals. I'm just baffled by why some people survive the cut and why they cut loose some that have more to offer.

[Yer Maw]

I don't see the problem with trimming the fat, even if you make billion dollar deals.

Me neither, I'm just saying don't give out bullshit reasons that aren't true.

[Storm Trooper]

All the ones you care about will be fine.

I though Joe was good at the announce desk but I think his in ring days were over in WWE. I hope he goes back to Impact too.

Joe and Billie Kay being released show how little WWE plan in advance. They were on Mania less than a week ago.

I expect more and I'm curious who it'll be.

Mojo Rawley is gone too.

And they could have been planned well in advance. Nothing wrong with giving people one more payday before they're cut. It's not like they were booked strong or anything. Joe was on commentary, Billie Kay was in a Tag Team Turmoil (and she ate the pinfall too I believe), and Tucker was a jobber in the Andre Battle Royal on Smackdown. The rest haven't been seen in months with any regularity.

Me neither, I'm just saying don't give out bullshit reasons that aren't true.

But.... it is true. Budget cuts are what's happening. They're cutting people likely making a lot more money then they're bringing into the company in terms of eyeballs on the product or merch sales. That's cutting budget. And WWE also had no plans to use these people, so cut them now.

Samoa Joe is a very interesting example. He's been paid for the past year as a wrestler to be a commentator. I'm willing to bet WWE knew they wouldn't be clearing him for a long ass time (if ever), so why keep paying someone when a cheaper option is available.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Well, that sucks.

[Fallout]

Reason given is budget cuts, even thought they just got a billion pound deal with peacock...each year that company gets worse

It sucks, but at the same time, they're not obligated to keep people employed, particularly if they're not being used much. I imagine in the case of Mickie James and Joe, they weren't being cleared for in-ring competition.