The Purge

[tehblogger]

Blimey, they've been busy. 5 released.

-Shannon Moore
-Nunzio
-Domino
-James Curtis
-Referee Nick Patrick

Domino is no surprise. He's just been jobbing ever since his tag-team broke up. Moore does surprise me, considerinf he wasn't the one who tested positive...but then Yang is marginally the better wrestler, I suppose. He wasn't over anyway. Nunzio...well, I suppose this will mean Funaki will get more TV time jobbing. I didn't think Curtis was so poor; thought he could be an OK mid-card heel on ECW after seeing his match with Bourne.

What's the story with the referee? And why not Snitsky?

[TheSaint]

I agree completly, I think the biggest surprise from the 5 releases was Nick Patrick, wasnt he head referee on Smackdown? We never really got to see what James Curtis had to offer, but after watching his match with fellow released 'superstar' Braden Walker I dont think he had much to offer. Couldnt care for Domino or Nunzio but I thought Shannon was an alright wrestler, didnt like the tag team with Jimmy Wang Yang though I thought that was dumb. Also I dont expect this to be the last of the releases, I think there will be a couple more.

[klunderbunker]

Domino and Nunzio are no suprises at all. Nunzio I don't remember ever winning a match in WWE since he was cruiserweight champion. Domino is nothing without Deuce so I'd expect his partner gone soon. Nick Patrick is sort of a suprise as he's a long experienced referee, but then again, he's a referee so who cares. Moore and Curtis are a bit suprising. Curtis was the ECW jobber and was pretty good when he was in OVW. He was their TV champion for awhile there and I believe a tag champion as well. I guess he just wasn't progressing fast enough. Moore was good when he and Yang were challenging for the tag belts, but I suppose that just wasn't enough. He was an afterthought at best in WWE, and I guess 3 count won't be returning anytime soon.

[Esteban Ochocinco]

I can't say I'm truly surprised with any of these (Maybe Patrick, when did referees get on the chopping block?) I think the main word would be, disappointed.

It's a shame Shannon Moore never worked out. You'd figure with both the hardys at the ECW/Smackdown tapings, and a returning Gregory Helms that the fourth would be kept around. I've been a fan of Moore, he just is too small and has no mic ability that could save him.

The rest I could honestly care a less about. They were role players, nothing more. Here's to hoping Sparky Plugg is on this list by the end of the day.

[TheSaint]

It has now been announced that Big Daddy V has officially been released from WWE. V had previously been seen main eventing on the ECW brand, but has since been out of action due to a bad case of pneumonia.

Like I said in earlier post, I knew that wouldnt be the last of them. Cant say im surprised at this one either, he was never any good and they couldnt do much with him. Hope hes recovered from pneumonia tho, lol.

[klunderbunker]

Adding to the purge, BDV is gone as well. This makes sense to me, as he was almost a jobber anymore. It's hard to build him up as a star when he's tapping to Taker every week in and week out. I thought he was just going home to lose some weight which from a health perspective he desperately needed to do, but apparently that wasn't working out that well. He was never going to be a big deal in the company anyway, so I don't really see this being that big of a deal.

[Esteban Ochocinco]

so it continues

It has now been announced that Big Daddy V has officially been released from WWE. V had previously been seen main eventing on the ECW brand, but has since been out of action due to a bad case of pneumonia.

Now this, I can say I am shocked with. I'm guessing with Mark Henry on ECW that Big V gets the cut. Personally I never minded V, his man boobs are simply mesmerizing. I'm more shocked that the guy has been under contract since 93 or 94, and is finally released after this long....again, this opens the door for Sparky plugg.

[a7xoff]

Jeez add Big Daddy V to the list of the departed. Personally I'm not really surprised by any of these guys getting released with the exception of Shannon Moore. Last time I checked Moore and Yang were a pretty decent tag team, so there goes WWE cutting the tag team division again.

Big Daddy V I figured would be gone sooner or later since he's been out for a long, long time. Nick Patrick I can't figure out, I guess they don't need so many refs anymore?

Curtis, Nuzio, and Domino I'm not shocked at all about. I mean since breaking up D&D Domino has done nothing and really is not that good. Nuzio had not won a match in like a year and Curtis though good back in OVW was basically a jobber as well. WWE's just seemingly cutting some extra weight off of it to possibly bring in some fresh guys, or pay the vets even more... I hope it's the first...

[tehblogger]

What is this, the Night of the Long Knives?

Anyway, so far no complaints. Watching BDV's jiggly ass roll around the ring was positively sick-making. Seen one BDV match, you've seen 'em all. No more! He'd jobbed to Taker enough, and so his useful function was at an end. There wasn't much more he was good for. Not lamented. He, Khali, and Horny on the same show made Smackdown look like some revolting freak circus.

[EricChioda]

The main reason why Nick Patrick was released was because he more than likely asked for his release. for the past several years Patrick has had constant back problems and only a few years ago he got back surgery and the doctor messed it up and his back got worse. Since that 1st surgery he has had multiple other surgeries on his back trying repair it. Hentz the reason why he hasnt been refereeing for the past couple years.

[Mighty NorCal]

I dont understand why all this was necessary. The WWE needs jobbers, for enhancement, im not sure why guys who are genrally safe, technically sound workers get released. They have all done good to put others over. Especialy the likes of Domino, who I thought had a great look, good heel charisma, and sold well. Ad Big V is a huge suprise to me, as He is probably the best big guy they have behind Show, and Umaga.

Unless they are planning on regularly calling up local guys to job, I dont understand this. Pretty much everyone listed above has been on TV within the last month putting someone over. If they arent calling up locals like crazy, now everyone on the mid card wil have to job.

[DJ]

Shannon Moore
Wasted talent.They shoulda teamed him up with Helms in a sort of 3 count reunion.I really feel sorry for the dude......I bet the Hardys and Helms are pissed right now.

Nunzio
Damn,like Shannon wasted talent.Remember the FBI?He was the SHIT.And very funny.Rellik and Chucky P aren't doing much are they?Thought so.


Domino
Without Duece he was doomed from the start.The least surprisng release.

James Curtis
AKA ECW Jobber.Along with Domino this wasn't very surprising.

Nick Patrick
VERY Surprising.He was one of the lead refrees if memory serves me right.But then again refrees aren't that important........Theres not point in having people who simply count to 3.

Big Daddy V
The most surprising.He was off TV for ages to lose weight(Infact I heard he was on the biggest loser).I was sure he was going to get a bloody massive push when he returned in his silmer figure(lol)

Overall I think these were basic cuts-they each play are part but are not needed.I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more releases over the next few days.

[tnaistherevolution]

well i for one am surprised at the release of shannon moore. he's a good talent with pretty good wrestling ability. personally i hope he didn't burn the bridge with tna so i hope he goes there.

domino, nuzio, james, does not surprise me at all. they were all jobbers and didn't impress much. so im not sad that they were released.

Nick patrick, wats with that. i didn't know refs were so in jepordy of thier jobs. those guys are also part of the ring crew setting up and tearing down. i guess tna will pick him up like they did the hebners.

as for big daddy v, he just sucked in my eyes. he had very little (if not none) wrestling skill. he was god awful to look at and he was out for so long with pnemonia. i hope he gets better but no loss at all for wwe. i hope to hell that tna dont pick him up.

:robvandam:

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

Blimey, they've been busy. 5 released.

-Shannon Moore
-Nunzio
-Domino
-James Curtis
-Referee Nick Patrick


Shannon Moore- No surprise here. The only reason why WWE wanted him was because TNA was about to put him into a big angle with AJ Styles and they didn't want another Christian situation occurring. I bet he wishes that he would have remained with TNA now huh? ROH might be an option for him but as far as his marketability in TNA, he burned them. And they won't forget that.

Nunzio- Am am really surprised here. Since signing with WWE, he has done everything asked of him and then some. I was hoping to have seen an FBI takeover in ECW with maybe a couple of up and commers by his side. Be the mouthpiece while helping keep a little classic comedy in the land of the hardcore, much in the way the Original FBI did in ECW. He will be coveted for indy bookings because of his name. But he probably won't end up in TNA or ROH.

Domino- The man hasn't won a singles match ever I think. Especially since breaking up the team. With his look, I was sure that he would get at least another partner or a midcard push, but I it's not in the books for him. it must help to be the Son of Jimmy Snuka as second gen wrestlers seem to be all the rage these days.

James Curtis- When he was brought up before, I kinda liked the team he was in with Idol Stevens. They reminded me of the old barn storming teams of the AWA, except alot more skill. I often wondered what would happen if his last tag team was brought up from OVW. I think they were mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, he never became a factor on ECW tv. He could have always been used as "talent enhancement", but I guess that's just not cost effective.

Nick Patrick- Now this is the one that surprises me the most. Nick Patrick is a consummate professional and has been highly reguarded as being one of the best referees in the business. You would think that the WWE would need guys like this to help train younger referees, but I guess not. Of all of the guys cut, he will the best chance of getting work from TNA. And I do so hope that they pick him up as he will only help to improve the product.

Later Cut

Big Daddy V- He's a big man. Something that Vince McMahon likes. He more than likely will end up back in WWE if he loses a little weight. But I don't forsee him getting contract offers from TNA. There just aren't any guys on their roster than can pick him up, other than Abyss. So it's not worth it to even give him a look.

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

We'll probably have elijah burke, boogey man, foley, holly, and the highlanders on that list too.

I don't forsee Burke being cut. he's too hard a worker and too talented on the mic for them to just give him to TNA like that. They will hold on to him for the same reason that they signed Moore, out of spite.

[Sasha Fierce]

WWE is getting rid of some dead weight but are they really getting rid of the right dead weight. First Shannon Moore is a pretty decent wrestler and him & Wayne's tag team were over and one of the only tag teams left so now the tag division dies a little moore. Nunzio was a good jobber & Domino should have stayed with Deuce. The only one I'm somewhat disapointed got the axe is Moore because I like him. WWE should be getting rid of useless crap like Snitsky, Hornswoggle(although over....he is not right for wrestling) Knox, and Holly. In the end it's not like anyone real important got booted...yet anyways.

[Dead Kennedy]

Jesus, I thought cutback session was back in January. Either way, most of these releases aren't surprised or much to care about. Moore was fun when he teamed together with Jimmy Yang, but as a singles star he was not ever much of a jobber. That or Matt Hardy's cabana boy.

Domino was pretty much a dead cert. I don't see why Deuce didn't get blammed at the same time though - they're roughly the same characters with the same mat skills, that is to say - nothing special. I guess it's because he's the Superfly's adoptive son or whatsis. Still, I think WWE aren't gonna do much with him so I don't think it's gonna be that long until Deuce goes as well. Nunzio was a bit of a surprise. He's a hard worker, and although he's a jobber, he's pretty good at it. I like the guy. If the Cruiserweight Title wasn't removed, he'd still be of use. But, he's had his run and I enjoyed it. I wish him luck.

Nobody cares about James Curtis. Seriously. Was he that K.C. James guy from a couple years back? Nobody cares. I didn't even know he had a contract. Still room for a few more to go, though. Nobody but Vince likes Snitsky, for example. Why couldn't Vince have normal sexual preferences?

Big Daddy V was a bit of a surprise for me, considering Vince and his aforementioned fetish for big guys. Not sad to see him go one bit, although I must say the Big Daddy V character was his best one. But once you've seen Mabel and Viscera, anything is preferential. Good luck with the 1000+ pounds weight loss, Big D.

No big surprises, although I thought Shannon Moore was pretty tight with Matt and Jeff. I guess that doesn't matter much once Vinnie Mac fetches his old cutback axe. Still a bit surprised not to see Bob Holly here though. PLEASANTLY surprised.

[OIL]

VERY Surprising.He was one of the lead refrees if memory serves me right.But then again refrees aren't that important........Theres not point in having people who simply count to 3.


The ref does more than count to 3. They're one of the most important people. If the wrestlers can't communicate with eachother for whatever reason to tell them what the next few moves will be, the ref does it. The ref tells them when to finish the match, passes along blades when juicing is needed.


With regard to the people who were released, they all deserved to be released. They were only there to job, and while jobbers are needed, all of these wrestlers must have taken up quite a bit on the wage bill, which will now be trimmed. Creatively, none of them had anything lined up, and they wouldn't even make it to the mid-card scene due others taking going up instead of them.

Good move by WWE.

[CaseyisBA52'sGFnow]

I'm a little disapointed with the release of Shannon Moore. I realy thought he had a future in the WWE as a tag team wrestler or if they would bring back the cruiserwieght division he would have been a perfect champ. Chances are now he'll go to TNA and compete in the X divison or Tag division. As for the rest of the wrestlers who was released , i could realy care less.

[hhhfan14]

ok,i guess we may be seein ecw go offline, and we may have no jobbers, i still feel as if there may be even more releases to come. i, like most, am not really surprised with most of em, but what i really dont understand is the shannon moore, let me guess, TNA HERE HE COMES...AGAIN, lol, but nah, he could have been awsome as a top ecw star in my opionon, duece and domino go bye, but they may keep cherry, and the only one beside shanoon that im confused about is head reef, why release a ref, oh yeah i forget, bucese vince is so stupid, that he is losin money, so he is gonna have to do some cutbacks on contracts, and to do so is havin to get rid of people to pay, lol.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

These things came out of freaking NOWHERE lol.

Big Daddy V - Ok, this one didn't. Still, he was sent home to lose weight, right? I guess he refused to do so (or couldn't). He's been in the company for a long time now, though, and usually they like to keep those guys around. Maybe this was just the final straw, and he simply won't be losing any weight, so they decided to trim the fat (ok ok I couldn't resist hahaha) and cut him loose. Still, I thought that they were going to use him to replace Khali after this report that he pretty much doesn't have a leg to stand on (ok I couldn't resist again) anymore in the WWE. A thinner, leaner BDV would've made a decent monster. At least we have the very talented Umaga to take the reigns.

Nick Patrick - Don't really care...but its still a little odd when a ref is released. Won't cripple the business, though, by any means.

Shannon Moore - This was the most confusing one to me. He was just on tonight's Smackdown, getting in some heavy offense! I hope they resign him, as he's a talented guy. He might not be world title material, but he would've at least made a decent midcarder. Plus, he and Jimmy Wang Yang added another team to the tag title division, which is just getting worse by the minute. Newest acquisition for TNA? I wouldn't doubt it.

Nunzio - Can't say I'm too shocked. I've never seen this guy win a match. Still, they could've sent him down to FCW to help train guys.

Domino - Little confused as to why he's released when he was more talented than Deuce is. Bound for TNA's tag team or X-Division?

James Curtis - Was he even signed officially? Shame, too, because he has more talent (it seems) than Ortiz does.


ON THE LOOKOUT: Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, Deuce, Bob Holly, Highlanders, Val Venis, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Funaki, Super Crazy, D.H. Smith, Elijah Burke, Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, Stevie Richards, and The Boogeyman

These guys seem in danger right now.

[Magicana]

ON THE LOOKOUT: Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, Deuce, Bob Holly, Highlanders, Val Venis, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Funaki, Super Crazy, D.H. Smith, Elijah Burke, Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, Stevie Richards, and The Boogeyman

These guys seem in danger right now.

Of those, the ones who are in the most danger and Haas, London, Chuck, Highlanders, Carlito, Dykstra, Smith.

Jim Duggan is a long term veteran who would be doing work behind the scene's, Snitsky is a big guy who Vince likes, Deuce is the adopted son of a legend, Bob Holly get's on well with Vince, Val Venis has a behind the scenes role, Funaki has a behind the scene's role, and I don't know about the others.

[chasingamy]

What is this Black Friday in the WWE? I called Big Daddy V being released three weeks ago so no surprise and no loss there. I am surprised by the other cuts though seeing as how Curtis, Domino, Moore, and Nunzio have all been used in recent weeks (unlike say Boogeyman, Kenny Dykstra, Val Venis, Hardcore Holly, and Chuck Palumbo, some haven’t been seen or used in months). These four guys were still serving a purpose (jobbing) at least.

I occasionally saw brief flashes of potential in James Curtis. Just the other week, I was thinking they should give this guy Ortiz’s push. He’d been used very sparingly over the year on ECW so I doubt anyone will notice let alone miss him.

I’m a little disappointed to see Nunzio go. He’s been around awhile so he’s a likeable, familiar face. He did his job (pun intended) well. He’s a talented guy; he put on a really good match with Bourne a couple weeks back. And I never once heard a bad thing said about the guy.

I don’t have any feelings one way or the other about Domino’s departure. For the sake of the tag division, I had hoped Domino could have been repackaged and re-partnered. I don’t see why he couldn’t continue jobbing on Smackdown though. Not all jobbers have to be small and weak.

Shannon Moore is the biggest shock of all. Of those released thus far, I think he had the most potential. The Redneck and Reject team gave us some good tag matches. And he got a decent crowd reaction which is more than the other four can say.

[EricChioda]

People who think that Nick Patrick will head to TNA....NO HE IS NOT! Like i stated earlier, Partrick as sever back problems and is physically unable to work/referee. Hentz the reason why he has not been on TV, PPV or HOUSE SHOWS in the past couple years. Im willing to bet he asked for his release if anything since he physically cant perform his job.

[tehblogger]

Actually, I sorta retract what I said about Moore earlier. He did get decent crowd reactions. He and Yang were a good tag-team who worked well with each and with their opponents. I just watched his last match against Hawkins and Ryder, which was a good one, and it's a shame WWE are letting this athletic young guy go. Best of luck to him in whatever he does next. The tag-team division is definitely weakened.

[Nicholas]

Of those, the ones who are in the most danger and Haas, London, Chuck, Highlanders, Carlito, Dykstra, Smith.

Jim Duggan is a long term veteran who would be doing work behind the scene's, Snitsky is a big guy who Vince likes, Deuce is the adopted son of a legend, Bob Holly get's on well with Vince, Val Venis has a behind the scenes role, Funaki has a behind the scene's role, and I don't know about the others.

Boogeyman is getting new teeth. Kenny's been doing dark matches I think. Now, onto the releases.

Shannon Moore: I don't understand it. This guy does pretty well in the ring, though him tagging with Jimmy Wang Yang was a little...unnecessary, but they did get some pops from the crowd. Hopefully he gets re-signed or at least goes back to TNA.

Nick Patrick: Ref. Don't care.

Nunzio: The guy is an ultimate jobber. I don't really care at all.

Domino: Saw it coming ever since Douche was drafted to RAW.

James Curtis: Haven't been paying too much attention to ECW lately. Don't care.

BDV: Okay, I was actually looking forward to a slimmer V than a Big Fatty V. He could have probably looked more like a menacing monster rather than a giant tub of lard with jiggly man-boobs.

[Tim Tam]

I don't understand why they released Shannon Moore, but the others make sense.

Nick Patrick: He's a referee. I don't really care. They have enough referees as it is.

Nunzio: A jobber. Won 1 match in two years, and that was because he was on Batista's team.

Domino: Either him or Deuce was going to be released after the split, and they chose him.

James Curtis: I don't think he even had a bio on the ECW page. Most people don't even know who he is.

BDV: They probably released him because he couldn't lose enough weight, or maybe his pneumonia was too bad.

Shannon Moore: This one puzzles me. The guy is a good wrestler and not long ago he was on the verge of winning tag team gold. The only possible explanation for this is that they creative didn't have anything for him.

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

ON THE LOOKOUT: Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, Deuce, Bob Holly, Highlanders, Val Venis, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Funaki, Super Crazy, D.H. Smith, Elijah Burke, Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, Stevie Richards, and The Boogeyman

These guys seem in danger right now.

I can see D.H.Smith, Dykstra, Hass, London, Deuce, Highlanders, Crazy and Richards getting axed. Its a shame for London because he's got the most talent out of most of those guys listed.

Carlito is probably going to demand his release soon enough. Vince will not be able to talk him around twice.

Ortiz isn't going anywhere for a while. He's had promo time as well as being hyped as undefeated.

I really don't see the point of Bam Neely. No offense to the guy but what exactly has he done since getting brought to the main roster? Has he even had a singles match yet?

As for Venis, Funaki, Holly they have their backstage roles as well so i don't see them going anywhere.

But Boogeyman, Burke and Palumbo? I don't understand why these guys haven't been released already? I can't remember the last time either Burke or Boogey were even mentioned on TV never mind actually appearing. And Palumbo just sucks..... he sucked back in his tag days with O'Haire never mind all the other shit he's done, yet he keeps getting re-signed and i can't for the life of me think why

[Y 2 Jake]

Moore is probably annoyed at himself for telling TNA that he Punk'd them. Then again I'm sure they might have him back. Although I doubt he'd be teaming with Samoa Joe this time round.

I hadn't seen Nunzio in months. But with no Cruiserweight title what exactly was he there for anyway? Domino is the one that isn't related to Jimmy Snuka, right? No loss there. Same with all of them really. These releases aren't even intresting.

Big Daddy V is having health problems. All down to his chronic obesity. His release is probably so he doesn't die while under the employ of WWE. Taker hilled him off as a main event wrestler in February anyway.

[Matt Phoenix]

The only one on the list that sort of surprised me is BDV but given health problems than it is totally understandable IMO. Anyway I only have 1 comment regarding one person on that list Nick Patrick - I just couldnt stand him as a ref. Did anyone else notice that when he was the ref you always knew when the match would end?

I mean when he was down counting the pin, when it would only go for a two count he would always put his hand under the person getting pinned's shoulders when he raised his hand for the three and twist it before he hit the ground so that the person would raise their shoulders. I havent explained that properly but if you look at any match he has reffed you will understand what I am on about.
It was little thing but it pissed me off no end. Did anyone else notice this?

[The Earl]

I happen to subsrcibe to the idea that most of these guys released were overpriced jobbers. For years, both feds used local guys as jobbers, so it wouldnt surprise me to see them go back to this, or maybe call some guys up from the minors. Does it really matter if Nunzio loses to Snitzky in 2 minutes or if some local guy loses to Snitsky in 2 minutes? I cant see Moore getting any more of a push in TNA. The X division there is already overloaded, and its not like he made that big an impact before. Domino...well I dont know. He'll resurface somewhere.


As far as Vis, I'm sure he got a good severance package---and dont be surprised if he comes back if he loses the weight. Big Show lost 100 pounds, so it can be done.

If Patrick has health problems and asked for his release, then I'm sure he has other business endeavors he can go in to. Probably wont see him involved with rasslin again,

[FTS]

If they purge enough useless talent, perhaps we can go back to one brand with two shows. Before i digress too far, there is a lot more talent not doing anything.

I don't like the idea of using local talent to job out. Sure, it gets some hard working student a chance to shine, and a story to tell, but in the end, it makes the monsters look, well, less monstrous. Not that Nunzio made Big Show or anything. I like going back to the idea of using everyone in meaningful matches. Purge more guys. WWE Creative is trying to get too many guys on TV (because there are too many belts). Purge more guys. Get rid of Deuce (or Domino, which ever one is left). Mike KNox is scary and all, but useless. Cherry doesn't matter. Santino is funny, but his comedy character has killed his legitimacy.

Instead of bringing in Chris Harris, get rid of dead weight. Colin Delaney serves no purpose, and for that matter neither does Tommy Dreamer. None of ECW is over with the fans. Keep Miz, Morrison, Hardy, Finlay, Bourne, and Mark Henry. I just think that the dilluted product has more to do with too many story lines and not enough writers. A roster with 60 talents that can all get TV time and developed story lines does more of a service to the viewer than one with 120 talents. Continue the purge. Make guys prove their worth to the WWE. Let the rest go to TNA.

Survivor Series used to get most of the roster on PPV once a year, now the same 20 guys get on all the PPV's. The argument that the brand split gets more guys air time is stupid. Purging the dead weight gets DESERVING guys more air time, and that is what makes the product better.

[tehblogger]

More releases: Stevie Richards (who?) a referee (another one? man, they really are trying to cut the wage bill), and the Highlanders. So that's another tag-team that goes, albeit that they were only jobbers. I guess I was wrong in another thread when I said the tag-team division couldn't get any weaker...

There's got to be some guys looking over their shoulders now...they knives are out at WWE!

[a7xoff]

Apparently the purge continues with the release of Stevie Richards, some ref, and the Highlanders. None of them are shocking at all, and as far as the highlanders, I don't think anyone didn't see it coming. I feel bad for Richards though. He's a vet who constantly got beaten. Oh well. The ref I dunno whats going on there. I guess WWE feels the need to cut some payroll for some reason. At this point if your a lower card guy in the WWE. The time is now to set it up about 10 notches cause at this point only the mid and upper cards are safe. Tag Teams sure as Hell are not safe as the Highlanders are an example. It's just sad that WWE continues to eat their own tag team division. Again though none of the released aside from Big Daddy V really shcoked me...

[HellBoundPower]

Honestly I'm not surprised by any of the releases, but I am pretty pissed about a couple of them. I've always been a big fan of Stevie Richards. The guy is good in the ring, but the WWE just didn't know how to use him. They made him a jobber, which I thought was ridiculous. I can see why they let him go, since they don't use him. It looks like Tazz, Super Crazy, and Tommy Dreamer are the only ECW Originals left on the Roster, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Super Crazy released in the near future.

Also, why the hell did they release The Highlanders? It seems they are trying to further bury the Tag Team Division. The Highlanders were a solid Tag Team, that could've been contenders for the Titles. But most likely because Robbie was shown on TNA, and Rory had an injury, they both get the axe. I think it's pretty ridiculous, seeing as how the Tag Team Division needs Tag Teams.

Basically, WWE does need to trim the fat. I just wish they would've picked others to cut (I'm lookin' at YOU, SNITSKY!).

[TM]

This was just on the Main Site. The Highlanders have been released by the WWE. They were never a great tag team, always the lowest level of the tag team division. What do you guys think? did they deserve to be released? Is this going to further hurt the Tag Team Division? Will there be more firings? Any special moments that the highlanders were part of to you?

[DaDigi]

Stevie Richards - Wow, bit of a shocker on this one. I'm quite saddened by this, as I am from Philadelphia and I always liked him. I guess he can just be thankful that WWE released him AFTER doing shows in Philadelphia and Hershey. Imagine the kinda sendoff that would've been, released the day before preforming in your hometown.

Highlanders - Not too shocking, really. They showed some hope when they debuted, but after the one of them got in trouble for the TNA incident and their lack of TV time, not a big loss.

Wes Adams - I just noticed him around two weeks ago, he didn't look like he had "it". He looked kind of sloppy, and a bit clumsy going to/being in the ring.

[TM]

ECW Original Stevie Richards has been released. This is coming from the main page The following has just been posted on WWE.com:

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of ECW Superstar Stevie Richards, Raw tag team Robbie & Rory of The Highlanders, and WWE referee Wes Adams as of Aug. 15, 2008. WWE wishes them the best in all their future endeavors.

He is just another Jobber really. He follows a long line of recent jobbers being fired, like the highlanders, Nunzio, Big Daddy V. Who will be putting wrestlers over now? What do you guys think?

[DrFeelgood624]

Not a big deal, now Raw is down to 2 Tag Teams, Cryme Tyme and Team Priceless.At Least they jobbed to Cryme Tyme on the last Raw, so The Highlanders really did all they could. You know your a bad Tag Team when theres 2 sets of belts, your one of about 5 teams and never get close to gold. I will not miss The Highlanders.

[Slyfox696]

Basically, you mark this down under the "Saw it coming, didn't give a rats ass" category. They were jobber team to begin with, sucked horribly, added nothing to any show, and were worthless.

Then one of them shows up on TNA programming during Wrestlemania weekend, and you knew it was only a matter of time.

Better to get rid of them and focus more on some workers that actually have a little bit of talent.

[ronthony717]

Ok well every friday keep your eyes on wwe.com lol... Highlanders were a good team when they first started just didn't get over like they should.. I think if they were moved to smackdown and kept rowdy piper by their side they would of actually went somewhere.. Them gettin fired along with steven richards and last weeks crew hopefully means that they are cleaning up to bring in new talent that is ready to improve the tag division and more.. I wish they stayed but I wouldn't mind seeing them move over to TNA.. We all know highlanders can be good given the chance and tna would give it to them.. I hope highlanders keep wrestling

[Syxx-Pac]

Well, you see they want to clear out their rosters of people they know will be jobbing for the rest of their carrer. Jobbers don't make WWE much money, So they need to take out the trash. Also, don't forget Colin Delaney has been released also. Colin was over with the fans for a while, but I thought they'd keep them longer. And Cherry too, is now gone. Do you hear the fan reaction she gets when she comes out? Everyone goes crazy! I have no clue why WWE has released her. (Sorry for going off topic, its just that I didn't see any other topics about this stuff.)

[Mighty NorCal]

I take the same issue with this as I do the other releases. Yea, they sucked, and yea they were Jobbers. But you need that. Who puts over the big teams now??? Anyone???

*hears crickets*

Right. Unless they bring up local guys every were they go, your just further weakining an already decimated tag division. It also pisses me off they used so much TV time on these guys, with the vingettes and all. Time better used on something that couldve fucking mattered. If anything, the WWE needs MORE jobbers, but, apparently they dont think so. Priceless and Cryme Tyme can just wrestle each other EVERY fucking week, and trade off who jobs. Or we can have stellar old style classic teams like Batista and John Cena as tag champs.

[Slyfox696]

I take the same issue with this as I do the other releases. Yea, they sucked, and yea they were Jobbers. But you need that. Who puts over the big teams now??? Anyone???

*hears crickets*

Right. Unless they bring up local guys every were they go, your just further weakining an already decimated tag division. It also pisses me off they used so much TV time on these guys, with the vingettes and all. Time better used on something that couldve fucking mattered. If anything, the WWE needs MORE jobbers, but, apparently they dont think so. Priceless and Cryme Tyme can just wrestle each other EVERY fucking week, and trade off who jobs. Or we can have stellar old style classic teams like Batista and John Cena as tag champs.They have over 30 workers in FCW, any of which they could randomly bring up to be a tag team. It's not like being a jobber tag team is anything that different.

And the fact they DID use all that time on those guys, and they still couldn't get over is why they are now in the unemployment line. If a company spends time for you, and tries to get you over, and you fail, then you better be on your knees for the right people.

And the WWE doesn't need more jobbers, they need better finances. So, holding on to a tag team that does nothing makes no sense, especially if they are never going to be good.

[tehblogger]

Seems the main wrestling sites forgot about Cherry being release aswell today.

Still not too shock by the rest just gettin rid of some talent wrestlers but hey wwe normal does this twice a year

Tna mite get a few more wwe stars now

ZOMG, it looks like he's right. Cherry released. At any rate her profile as vanished from wwe.com. Ok, this is weird. She was in the middle of this big push/feud with Maryse - new moves, and what not, some people were even talking about her as a contender for the Diva's title - and then just vanished off our TV screens. So what happened? Wellness Policy? Personal reasons? I have to admit I'm rather confused.

[Mighty NorCal]

Sly, we both prefer the old school style of booking, and building towards PPVs so I thought you would be a confidant of mine on this.

A lot of guys in FCW are horrid, and do nothing but horrify when on live TV. Hello Braden walker, hello Ricky Ortiz. Are you telling me the Highlanders were less over than those two???

And I understand that. You seem to have misconstrued my post. I know they werent very over, and they sucked. I said I wish they wouldve invested time in other, more talented guys, or at least not just totally throw it all away, once they became jobbers. Now, all that TV time has NOTHING to show for it, when before, a jobber tag team is what they got out of it. A team to put others over is better result for tv time, than NOTHING. Even if they werent that over, they are still more over than two nobodies borught up from FCW, or some local guy when the visit Buggaloosa Louisiana.

[Slyfox696]

Sly, we both prefer the old school style of booking, and building towards PPVs so I thought you would be a confidant of mine on this.

A lot of guys in FCW are horrid, and do nothing but horrify when on live TV. Hello Braden walker, hello Ricky Ortiz. Are you telling me the Highlanders were less over than those two???

And I understand that. You seem to have misconstrued my post. I know they werent very over, and they sucked. I said I wish they wouldve invested time in other, more talented guys, or at least not just totally throw it all away, once they became jobbers. Now, all that TV time has NOTHING to show for it, when before, a jobber tag team is what they got out of it. A team to put others over is better result for tv time, than NOTHING. Even if they werent that over, they are still more over than two nobodies borught up from FCW, or some local guy when the visit Buggaloosa Louisiana.
I agree that jobbers aren't used enough, but the WWE can't afford to have squash matches from guys who will never benefit from it. These days, those guys who are getting squashed should have purpose, aside from just getting squashed. It should be used as experience for future prospects, guys you can repackage at a later date for the benefit of your company. Or, it should be used to see which of your guys has the talent to eventually be used in future storylines.

The Highlanders had their chance, and it was determined they had no future in any WWE storyline. Why keep them around, when jobbers are a dime a dozen, and some of them may have potential?

[ryantheking07]

I don't care about Colin getting released, even though..if you think about it, wasn't he sort of like Spike Dudley 2.0.?..He'd get his ass handed to him, and then come back for more. The dude could also take bumps well, in my opinion. Almost well enough to where he made you say "Damn that looks like he really got killed". As for Stevie...I'm just glad he's free from the "chains" if you will, of WWE. I hope he goes to Japan to compete, or maybe even ROH. He's a great wrestler, very technical. It's just in WWE, if you don't fit Vinces image, chances are you won't make it, and you'll end up being a jobber your entire stint with the company.

I also forgot to say that, if goes to Japan, or ROH, that's where he can truly shine. Because I think he has potential to be a world champion. Which, sadly was never in WWE with the ECW brand.

[Mighty NorCal]

If ive said it once, ive siad it like...4 times now. Wasted vingettes, wasted tv time, wasting the pool of jobbers.


WHO the fuck jobs now??? Moore, Richards, Highlanders, Nunzio. EVERYONE who has been doing job duty this year, gone. And richards actually had a large portion of TV time dedicated to him for about a month, and now, for what?? nothing. wasted time, wasted effort, and one less guy to make people look good. Richards sells well, is still decently over with the crowd, and is technically sound enough to not hurt anyone. still not understanding all this.

[Y 2 Jake]

Bye to Colin Delaney. Odd choice for a release as he was over, for a jobber anyway. So for moths they build him up as the most important jobber in the federation. They then turn him heel, then poof, released. I don't watch ECW as it's insignificant to me. After pushing somebody for months, then just getting rid of then, I guess it's insignificant for WWE too.

[OIL]

Big, big mistake in my opinion. While she wasn't great in the ring, she played the babyface role well. Furthermore, she had a good fan base on SD! and could have easily stayed on. If they wanted to release a Diva why didn't they release Lena Yada? She's done nothing since she came and we haven't even seen her in a while.

Thoughts?

[Syxx-Pac]

Here is what I have to say about the releases.

Stevie Richards: I knew he'd be gone soon. He was converted to a jobber ever since he returned. I had a feeling in my mind that he was next.

Cherry: I never liked Cherry, and thought of her as a waste of show-time. But she was WAAY over with the fans. I mean, she got so much of a pop it wasn't even funny. Almost as much as Maria.

Highlanders: I knew ever since raw, they were to be gone soon. Vince is stupid. Robbie or Rory, I don't know the difference, was in Orlando for Wrestlemania, and his little boy liked TNA iMPACT! Also, so Robbie or Rory went to iMPACT, also so he could visit his good friend Johnny Devine. Johnny told the camera men that Robbie or Rory was in attendance and NOT to show him on camera. But guess what they did? Showed him on camera. And he had to leave immediately, and was sent home. I was mad. Vince and the cameramen were being total assholes.

The refarree guy: I never even heard his name before, so I don't care. lol.

Last but not least...
Colin Delaney: Colin was a solid worker, and WWE had him over as the most over jobber in ECW/WWE History. So, I was quite mad and confuzed that he was let go. I liked making fun of how small he is, and seeing him get squashed. My Dad is also into wrestling, and we always rag on Colin. We can't anymore.

I'm done here.

[Canadian Knight]

They had they're time? They just came back didn't they? They should have waited a few weeks before doing this because I don't think it is fair that they cut them after a hiatus. Yeah I know that guy screwed up in going to the TNA card, but they should have given them some time together rather cutting them as he came back from recovery. Of course I am not saying that they deserved to be cut or not.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Jeez. WWE isn't going to have anybody left by the end of August at the rate they're going. 6 or 7 one day, a few developmental talent, now 6 more today lol.

Stevie Richards - Saw it coming. Still though, they could've kept him around as a jobber for ECW. He wasn't THAT bad.

Referee Wes Adams - Don't know who it is. He's just a ref. They can easily replace referees.

Cherry - I don't see why they did this. She was improving...not the best wrestler...she was cute...not the most attractive...and she was getting a pretty decent reaction for what she was offering. The women's division is suffering as it is, why cut it even closer?

The Highlanders - Saw it coming. These guys were useless and have been useless for a while. Their big stint was when they turned heel recently and won like, 2 matches against Kendrick/London, and it didn't go anywhere lol.

Colin Delaney - Not quite sure why they fired him either. I mean, sure, he wasn't being built up as anybody credible on the roster, but you might as well have kept him as a jobber to replace Nunzio. It was fun watching Delaney get tossed around like a ragdoll. He sold like no other lol.


Now I can eliminate some of the names from my "On the Lookout" list.

ON THE LOOKOUT (REVISED): Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, Deuce, Bob Holly, Val Venis, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Super Crazy, D.H. Smith, Elijah Burke, Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, and The Boogeyman

[Sasha Fierce]

I have to say that I was somewhat surprised about 3 of these releases and thoes were Cherry, Delaney, and Richards. The Highlanders never were able to get over and nobody to them seriously. The only thing about these release is that the WWE just released one of Raws only tag teams left. They could have stayed at tag team jobbers to help get the others over. Now Raw has like 2 teams(Priceless & Cryme Time)How can a division go on with only 2 tag teams?

Delaney seemed pointless to begin with. You couldn't take the guy seriously and he wasnt very good in the ring but was still used pretty much every week and thats why I was surprised.

Cherry wasn't a very good wrestler and she wasn't "pretty"(WWE Pretty). The only reason why I was surprised was becuase she seemed over with the fans. She sometimes outpopped McCool/Maria/Kelly and the fans seemed to like how she wasn't the conventional diva and she was easily rooted as the underdog. Cherry also began to get alot of airtime but since Maria is now the #2 face they felt they didnt need Cherry.

Stevie Richards: It was obvious that the WWE would never really take him serious anymore. There was no way he would ever become "big" but he was a good jobber. Just like Funaki & Val, I thought he would just be a good jobber. He also wasn;t that bad in the ring and fans still seemed to like him

It seems like Vince/WWE countinues to showcase their talents right before they get the cut. I think its Vince's way of trying to burrying them and not look like a good competitor just in case TNA calls. Domino was on TV, jobbed then fired, same with Richards, Delaney, Cherry, ect. Even the Highlanders who havent had a match in months were on tv this week before they were released.

[Darkshot77]

For some reason i am attached to the wrestler in the tag team that the wwe is not, I liked shannon moore over yang, London over Kendrick, and domino over deuce. I knew deuce was favored one of the tag team when he pulled off their tag team move the Crack 'em in da mouth by himself. Domino at that point was useless. Domino never had a finisher. This is beacuse the wwe stifles their wrestlers when they get out of the feeders. But thats a different thread. Now my two favorite members of one of the tag teams i liked are gont and the one i didnt like is still with the company. Domino had a gimick ready of a thug (which he already was) with a "hit list" but it was too edgy so he leavs town. Cherry I liked cause she was the girl next door not some model. You could take Cherry home to your parents. But the wwe was trying to bury her but it didnt work. No matter how many times she tapped to the shapshooter or jobbed to Vicky she still got more pop then McCool and sometimes Maria. So how could they push their "top faces" while the jobber is the most popular. They couldn't so she had to go. Not that I like the dicision

[Esteban Ochocinco]

And so it continues.

Stevie Richards. Kind of surprising. It's much like the Scott Taylor release last year, what's the point. You've kept the guy around this long, he's used to develop younger guys, if you didn't fire him before, why now? Oh well, I'm sure poor Stevie is going to get dragged into the Raven lawsuit now.

Wes Adams: Meh

Cherry: Well there goes a nice rack, and that's about all. I would imagine with her, TNA is going to pick her up in a heart beat. I could care a less, but those flotation devices were something to behold.

The Highlanders. One of the worst tag teams in a while. Seriously, this gimmick had mid 90's written all over it and was destined to fail from the get go.

Colin Delaney. The real question is, how does a 150 pound pipsqueak get on the roster to begin with? Seriously, this guy wasn't going to amount to anything in the E. We all know Vinces love and respect for the cruiserweights, so why was this guy even around at all?

None of these shock me at all. My biggest aggravation at this point, where the hell is Sparky Plugg?

[Dead Kennedy]

A few more surprises than the last round of "The Purge."

Cherry was the only one I really cared about. Cherry was one of my favourite Divas, and although she wasn't fantastic in the ring, she was improving every week. But it's the WWE's decision, I guess. I hope she does well.

Colin Delaney was pretty cool, but it was only a matter of time before he outlived his usefulness. He was a guy who was at the right place at the right time, and got a WWE contract. As a jobber, he was pretty good at it. He sold realistically and actually had a small modicum of skills. However, he could never become anything other than that, so no surprise that he got released.

Stevie Richards was a slight surprise. I remember when he returned earlier this year, (or was it late last year?) that I thought they were gonna build him up again for an ECW Championship feud. He was beating jobbers left and right, but his momentum was killed by Shelton Benjamin. Again, a pretty good singles guy. No particular reason not to release him, but then again, no particular reason TO release him.

The Highlanders...while they weren't ever entertaining (besides from their humoristic vignettes...which was BEFORE they stepped into a ring) they at least were a tag team with the tag team gimmick. I was surprised they actually appeared again before they were released. Didn't one of them also appear on a TNA show as a spectator? Absolutely no surprise.

Who the heck is Wes Adams? Can't possibly care about a guy I don't know who is, so... good luck with your future endeavours or something.
____________________________________________

Lots more guys should have been handed their walking papers before Stevie and Cherry. Snitsky, Boogeyman, Palumbo, Deuce...the list goes on. Not a particularly big blow to the roster, but I'm still pissed about them releasing Cherry. She was better than having to watch Scarecrow Maurice botch knees to the face, at least.

[Tastycles]

All of the releases had been coming I think. Domino was much worse than Deuce, and Wang Yang was so much more over than Moore, that it was obviously coming. Big Daddy V is a liability to the company - would you employ someone that is as unhealthy as that?

I had a hiatus from wrestling for a while, and have been watching again since January, and Monday night was the first time I have ever seen the highlander that isn't Robbie, so no surprise there either.

Nunzio, James Curtis and Stevie Richards were the resident ECW jobbers, and I think the reason for their departure can be answered with that of Braden "Chris 'Wildcat' Harris" Walker. With the Talent Initiative, they can pretend that some wrestlers might not make it, and then they will only job for one week and disappear. Kind of a more original way of using local talent.

Once they turned Delaney heel had all of the heels desert him and have Tommy Dreamer squash him, there was nowhere else for him to go except the dole office.

I don't think Cherry really fits the image of a WWE Diva, and I think it was a matter of time with her. If the rumours that the backstage hierarchy is high on Deuce are true, then I wouldn't be surprised if he returns with a different gimmick, maybe a different name even, and shedding Cherry and Domino makes that particular move easier.

I don't care about the referees, but I was most surprised to see Patrick go out of everyone.

I agree that the purge is not over yet. Someone noticed that the wrestlers were on tv getting buried before ther releases, and I think this is right. In which case, Kenny Dykstra better be looking over his shoulder. I think Super Crazy may also be on thin ice, which is sad because I really like him, and enjoyed watching his annual win on heat.

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

The more I think about it, the less I think we'll be seeing any more releases. They've released jobbers, essentially, and they're running out. But we're seeing more developmental people come in to fill in those gaps as well as some of the guys that haven't shown up in a while, like Dykstra.

I had a list of people that were in danger: Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Charlie Haas, Paul London, Chuck Palumbo, Snitsky, Deuce, Bob Holly, Val Venis, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra, Super Crazy, D.H. Smith, Elijah Burke, Bam Neely, Ricky Ortiz, and The Boogeyman

Right now, I still think they're all the most likely people to be released. However, out of all of them, I don't think we'll see any be fired. If anybody is released, it'd be Holly, Smith, or Boogeyman. Ortiz, they seem hell-bent on keeping. Neely's been wrestling more often lately. Super Crazy will fill in Nunzio's job spot. Burke might start being used again with that gimmick he wants to try out. Duggan is probably kept around for a reason outside of "we have nothing for him/he's a jobber", so they'll probably keep him. Venis is a seasoned vet who is ok with jobbing and can help train the younger guys. Then, Vince loves his big guys, so Palumbo and Snitsky are probably safe. Carlito may be pissing people off, he may not. London may be doing the same, but probably not enough to be fired as they could job him out like they've been doing lately.

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I'm sure Stevie Richards will emerge for a month on wwe programming again. How many times has he left WWE now? like 3 times? Went from hanging with the blue meanie, to mimicking his opponents, to forming RTC (his WWE highlight) to managing Kronik for their 'illustrious' WWE run, and then became Victoria's on screen valet, to reforming the BWO for like, a fortnight, and never did anything of merit afterward. He had that ECW angle where someone attacked him outside recently didn't they? And i guess i'm right in assuming that was never resolved?

I always wanted to see him succeed personally.

Cherry? She really did serve as an extra paycheck to write every week right? Aren't valet's supposed to get involved and help promote the talent? I don't think i've ever heard her speak once. The only words i can remember out of that trio was Domino(?) always shouting their team name.

Highlanders? What a surprise. Had a 2 week run alongside Roddy Piper. Turned heel stating they wouldn't wrestle unless they got a tag title shot, and then continued to wrestle without ever getting that title shot. had several singles matches where Snitsky squashed them and then the TNA appearance seeled their collective doom.

What annoys me is when these guys get put on TV all of a sudden, as if to make us think 'holy crap, maybe they've finally come up with something to do with these guys!?!?' and then they get fired the following week. What is the point of putting the Highlanders on tv once after 5 or so months having heard nothing about them if you're going to fire them? The same thing applies to the previous releases. Unless there's a clause in the standard WWE contract stating 'i must have a televised match the day b4 i'm fired', i don't understand the logic behind that decision.

It's not like firing Warrior after Summerslam because he started threatening to no show, and get more money outta Vince. It's firing guys out of the blue after massive dry spells. W-T-F? is all i can say

[Kane666]

All WWE is doing is helping TNA build their roster.Yeah,yeah i know they're all "rejects".But i would think Christian was also considered a WWE reject as well when he first got in TNA.And he's now a 3 time heavyweight champion.I can see Carlito being the next to go.But that might be the best thing for him.

[scsu01]

I was most surprised with Cherry..she was outpopping Michelle McCool big time, which to me personally mightve been part of why she got dropped..to bad we didnt get to see her in those bikini pics on WWE.COM..from what I knew of her she was, in actuality, a really good indie wrestler and i think she and that amazing natural rack of hers will really shine on TNA..she definitely has it in her to be an ODB like character..I have no doubt in 3 months she'll be on there...its funny, nearly everyone the WWE got rid of that went to TNA is doing so good, especially the women

[OIL]

I was most surprised with Cherry..she was outpopping Michelle McCool big time, which to me personally mightve been part of why she got dropped..

Why would she have got released if she was outpopping Michelle? Surely they would have pushed her more as a better in-ring wrestler because there wouldn't be any other good option, if she's over with the fans then she must be doing something right. Give her a push, it wouldn't do any harm. Michelle can't even wrestle, she's average in the ring and botches a lot. She was over but not nearly as much as Cherry. It's just stupid.

[Showtime 24/7]

Maybe it was just her character/gimmick, but i thought Cherry couldn't wrestle worth shit. True, there are alot of Diva's who can't wrestle either, but she also really wasn't doing anything or had anyreally purpose since she left Dumb and Dumber, I mean Duece and Domino, sorry, sorry everybody, lol. So i wasn't really surprised with her release. Now I clicked on this to talk Highlanders. I'm saddened but not surprised that they were released. They haven't had much reaction in a long while, which is sad because I really liked them when they first came in, but then they didn't win the tag titles and then cryme tyme came in and were way more over than they were. Next on the chopping block :smashfreakB: Carlito probably, maybe DH smith too, poor guy was set up to be punished wasn't he, oh well it was his fault anyway.