Much like the cut throat nature of the NFL, the WWE operates under the ‘produce or pack your bags’ premise. It’s a tightly-run business. If they’ve run out of ideas for talent, the talent hasn’t progressed as planned, or they just need to dump a salary, they’re going to make cuts. That’s inevitable.
Today marks the latest installment of the WWE’s infamous “spring cleaning.” I always hate hearing of people who have lost their dream jobs (err….to most, it’s a dream job. Not the eye candy Diva Search talent. There you go, IWC. Don’t roast me). I’ll try and keep our loyal SoBros readers as up to date as possible on this….well, for lack of a better term, shitty day.
Keep in mind, we get caught up in the who’s who of the WWE, who is “bad” and who is “good” in comparison the world’s elite wrestlers. Sometimes, we lose sight of the fact that there’s usually something very interesting about a person that brings them to the WWE. It’s talent. It’s personality. It’s looks – whatever it is, everyone who makes it to the WWE is there for a reason.
Let’s hit some highlights for those who were let go today:
Damien Sandow
Gut feeling – thought this was going to happen. The WWE failed to give him a true opportunity to be a star. He had all of the tools – wrestling skills, promo skills, a good look, etc. I’m surprised the internet isn’t in full-on riot mode. Wherever he goes, he will be successful – a great talent wasted by WWE.
Wade Barrett
To be clear, Barrett wasn’t “fired” today. He informed WWE a while ago that he would not be renewing his contract, and today it seems that wish was granted early. I’m still fuming over how bad the WWE fumbled with this talent. I wrote about it a while ago and it still rings true. One of the most entertaining gimmicks in the last several years, one of the most reliable in-ring talents on the roster, a wealth of accolades (5-time Intercontinental Champion, 2015 King of the Ring). Is it enough to get him into the Hall of Fame? I would hope so, but given the way he was handled in WWE, I don’t know that that day ever comes. He should have been the first British WWE Champion – how that never happened is mind-boggling.
Santino Marella
Santino was one of the most beloved comedy characters in WWE history. He’s been off of television for what seems like ages now, so I’m not surprised by this move at all. His debut in Italy back in 2007 was one of those truly special Monday Night Raw moments. Under the guise of a fan, he would defeat Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship with the help of Bobby Lashley. His famous “Honk-O-Meter” storyline and his on-screen love with Beth Phoenix come to mind as some of his finest comedic work. Throw in his ‘Cobra vs. Mr. Socko’ showdown with Mick Foley, too. For me, I’ll never forget the year he surprised Alberto Del Rio and nearly won the Royal Rumble. Truly talented guy that will be just fine after wrestling should he elect to move on from.
Alex Riley
Riley never got a chance to find his own footing in the WWE. He had some real quality work in NXT as an announcer and his eventual return to the ring to put over Kevin Owens. Lest we forget, he took part in a Wrestlemania main event that featured John Cena, The Rock, and The Miz. From 2007-present…..that’s a hell of a run that a lot of superstars don’t get to make. Rage Riley Rage!
Hornswoggle
Man – apparently this is happening just a few days before his 10th year anniversary with the WWE. It’s a bit odd to remember he’s a former Cruiserweight Champion, amirite? His career highlights will always be his work alongside Finlay and being Vince McMahon’s illegitimate son.
Zeb Colter
I’m happy that Colter got to come back for this last run. Dirty Dutch is one of the best in wrestling history, and this run probably brought a lot his accomplishments to light for a new generation.
El Torito
It was fun while it lasted. I always liked El Torito, but the Los Matadores gimmick ran its course – have to give him credit for that awesome Wee-LC match against Hornswoggle, and eliminating Fandango from the Royal Rumble.
Cameron
Perhaps she was best suited to just be a valet, but she was shipped down to NXT recently to work on her in-ring skills. The ‘Girl, Bye’ shtick was catchy, but she never had the wrestling prowess to become a superstar. Her best work was as one half of The Funkadactyls.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley,@PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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