WWE released a total of 10 main roster talents on Thursday, exactly one year since their COVID-19 budget cuts on April 15, 2020. The Superstars released on Thursday were Samoa Joe, Mojo Rawley, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Wesley Blake, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Kalisto and Bo Dallas. All wrestlers are under a standard 90-day non-compete clause with WWE and are not free to sign with other promotions until Wednesday, July 14.
It was just reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the rumor going on Thursday said more cuts could be coming today, April 16, with a focus on NXT.
There’s now speculation on Roderick Strong possibly going to RAW or SmackDown.
Last night’s WWE NXT show featured a segment earlier in the show where Strong and wife Marina Shafir were shown entering the WWE Performance Center. Strong later met NXT General Manager William Regal in his office and handed over an envelope of papers, presumably his notice, and then said he was “done” in NXT.
Regal admitted that Strong gave him trouble at times with The Undisputed Era, but said he is a consummate professional, and is welcome back to NXT at anytime.
WWE later noted that Strong has officially resigned from the NXT brand.
Before tonight, Strong was last seen in the storylines during the “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” build for the Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly feud. He lost to Cameron Grimes on last week’s Takeover go-home show and was scheduled to compete in the Battle Royal to determine the Takeover Gauntlet Eliminator participants, but there was a backstage segment where Strong was shown leaving the venue.
WWE often calls wrestlers to the main roster around this time of the year, but there’s no word yet on if Strong is headed to the blue or red brand. The veteran pro wrestler has been with WWE since October 2016. Shafir signed with WWE in May 2018 but hasn’t had much of an in-ring career.
Tonight’s WWE RAW will be the biggest episode of the year, featuring fallout from WrestleMania 37.
RAW will take place from the WWE ThunderDome at Yuengling Center on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa, Florida. This show will mark WWE’s first event under the new residency at the Yuengling Center.
WWE has not announced any matches or segments for tonight’s show but it’s likely that new red brand champions will appear – RAW Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, RAW Tag Team Champions Omos and AJ Styles, and WWE United States Champion Sheamus.
It will be interesting to see if “The Fiend” Randy Orton appears after last night’s loss to Randy Orton, which was apparently caused by Alexa Bliss. It looks like WWE has a new chapter in that storyline to continue. An appearance by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley is also possible to celebrate his Night One win over Drew McIntyre.
The RAW After WrestleMania usually features surprises and call-ups, but there’s no word yet on what WWE has planned for this year.
WWE named Adnan Virk as the new play-by-play voice of Monday Night Raw. “I’m elated to be joining the premier sports-entertainment company in my new role with WWE,” Virk told the WWE website. “As a kid who grew up idolizing WWE Hall of Famers like Bret Hart and Ric Flair, the opportunity to call modern legends like Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair and so many others alongside Corey Graves and Byron Saxton is truly humbling.” Read the official announcement at WWE.com.
The new broadcast team is Virk, Graves, and Saxton
The story lists Tom Phillips as the new voice of WWE 205 Live and special projects for Peacock, so Michael Cole is likely to remain the Smackdown play-by-play voice, though it remains to be seen whether Graves will return to double duty by working both shows.
Samoa Joe, who has been working on the Raw broadcast team, remains listed as part of the WWE talent roster. Maybe Joe is on the verge of returning to the ring.
Randy Orton defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt with Alexa Bliss
WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) defeated Tamina and Natalya
Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn with Logan Paul
After the match, Owens stands tall as his music hits. Paul looks disappointed at ringside. We go to replays. Orton plays to the crowd from the corner now as Sami tries to recover. Paul comes in to check on Sami. Paul approaches Owens and offers his hand for a shake but Sami jumps up and is furious. Sami rants about Paul being his guest of honor. Paul shoves Sami to the mat for boos. Sami limps away from the ring, still ranting. Paul grabs Owens’ arm and raises it in victory. Owens looks annoyed. Paul applauds Owens. Owens looks around and smiles as fans cheer for what’s about to happen. Owens drops Paul with a Stunner for another pop. Owens’ music starts back up as he celebrates with the crowd.
WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP Sheamus defeated Riddle (c) to win the WWE US Championship
NIGERIAN DRUM MATCH FOR THE WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP Apollo Crews defeated Big E (c) to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews got help from Dabba-Kato, who has debuted under his new gimmick. It was reported that his name could be either “Commador Azeez” or “Azez,” but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka (c) to win the RAW Women’s Championship
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP Bobby Lashley with MVP (c) vs. Drew McIntyre Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander are banned from ringside.
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Sasha Banks (c) vs. Bianca Belair
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The New Day (c) vs. AJ Styles and Omos
STEEL CAGE MATCH Shane McMahon vs. Braun Strowman
MULTI-TEAM NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH Lana and Naomi vs. Tamina Snuka and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad vs. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke vs. Carmella and Billie Kay Winners advance to tag title match on Night Two.
The Miz and Damian Priest vs. Bad Bunny and John Morrison
Tonight’s special WrestleMania edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX will be the final go-home show for WrestleMania 37.
* WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan and WWE Hall of Famer Edge will address fans before their Triple Threat at WrestleMania 37 Night Two
* SmackDown Tag Team Champions Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler defend their titles in a Fatal 4 Way against, The Street Profits, Alpha Academy, Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio
* The 2021 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal with Akira Tozawa, Angel Garza, Cedric Alexander, Drew Gulak, Elias, Erik, Gran Metalik, Humberto Carrillo, Jaxson Ryker, Jey Uso, Kalisto, King Baron Corbin, Lince Dorado, Mace, Murphy, Mustafa Ali, Ricochet, Shelton Benjamin, Shinsuke Nakamura, Slapjack, T-BAR, Tucker
