WWE has released NXT star Troy ‘Two Dimes’ Donovan.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Donovan was released on June 11 due to a “policy issue.” It was not a budget or creative decision.
Meltzer noted that Donovan was told he might be brought back to WWE in a year.
Donovan’s release was also confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.
Before his WWE release, Donovan was part of Tony D’Angelo’s stable on “NXT 2.o.” Earlier this month, on June 4 at “In Your House,” Donovan, D’Angelo, and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo had defeated Legado del Fantasma. Since Legado del Fantasma lost, they had to join D’Angelo’s stable.
Donovan was signed with the mid-March WWE Performance Center Class that also featured Lorenzo, Roxanne Perez, Sloane Jacobs, and Arianna Grace. He made his WWE in-ring debut on the April 8 edition of NXT Level Up, where he and Lorenzo lost to Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward.
Before signing with WWE, Donovan wrestled as Cole Karter in the indies. As Karter, he wrestled several matches on both AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation.
Donovan took to Twitter to thank his friends and colleagues for their support.
“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out,” Donovan tweeted. “Mistakes happen and lessons are learned. A bump in the road doesn’t define me though. I’ll be back.”
One of those supporters was recent NXT newcomer Thea Hail who encouraged Donovan to “just keep swimming!”
Donovan’s release from the company came as a shock to the “NXT” fanbase as he has become a prominent figure on the show after joining the D’Angelo Family as one of Tony D’Angelo’s wiseguys. “Two Dimes” Donovan, along with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo were two of D’Angelo’s “capos” and a major storyline began developing between that trio and Legado Del Fantasma. A “turf war” was had at NXT In Your House and it was D’Angelo’s crew who came out victorious after Donovan “stacked” Lorenzo on top of Joaquin Wilde for the pinfall. Due to the match stipulation, Legado Del Fantasma was forced to join the D’Angelo Family and there has been teased tension between the factions since.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
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