WWE: Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali and Emma axed
UPDATE:
Following the initial releases announced by WWE on September 21, major talents Dana Brooke, Mansoor, MACE and Shanky were released later that day.
Other talents released from across the WWE development pipeline included Commander Azeez aka Dabba-Kato, Quincy Elliott, Bryson Montana, Yulisa Leon, Daniel McArthur, Kevin Ventura-Cortez., Alexis Gray, Brooklyn Barlow and Ikemen Jiro.
Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon 🤙 pic.twitter.com/fpuQkIJAFx
— matthew riddle (@SuperKingofBros) September 22, 2023
And the following day, Matt Riddle was released from the company.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
After the merger of WWE with UFC by Endeavor, there have been rumours swirling of talent cuts at the pro-wrestling company.
Sadly, that's exactly what's come to pass, with a raft of top talent being released today (September 21).
Among those released are major names including Dolph Ziggler, Elias and Mustafa Ali.
Related: Is wrestling real or fake? All your WWE questions answered
Other axed talent includes Shelton Benjamin, Rick Boogs, Riddick Moss, Aliyah and Top Dolla – with further names expected to be confirmed in the coming hours and days.
Also released today is Emma, who has now been axed by the WWE three times during her pro-wrestling career.
Emma – real name Tenille Dashwood – had just one hour earlier expressed her excitement after the company announced it would be holding the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in her native Australia.
Oops nevermind. I just got released…
I am no longer with WWE. https://t.co/ZdwPhdKMk7— Tenille Dashwood (@EmmaWWE) September 21, 2023
The releases come soon after the WWE confirmed the signing of a major new TV deal for its weekly SmackDown TV programme, which begins in October 2024.
The five-year deal will see SmackDown return to the USA Network – the home of Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT – after a period of time at Fox, with the four primetime specials also set to air on NBC.
Related: WWE's Emma – 6 reasons we love her
"NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades," said WWE President Nick Khan on announcing the deal.
"We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC."
Catch up on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and all the big WWE action via the WWE Network or BT Sport.
How do you feel about the latest WWE talent cuts? Let us know at @digitalspywwe.
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