In an effort to cut its expenses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has released a large number of its wrestlers, backstage producers, referees, and writers from their contracts.
According to ComicBook.com, at least 34 wrestlers lost their jobs. And those are Rusev, Kurt Angle, Drake Maverick, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, EC3, Curt Hawkins, Heath Slater, Eric Young, Lio Rush, Aiden English, Sarah Logan, Erick Rowan, Primo, Epico, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, Zack Ryder, No Way Jose, Deonna Purrazzo, Aleksandar Jaksic, MJ Jenkins, Dan Matha, Alyssa Marino, Taynara Conti, Nick Comoroto, Cezar Bononi, Tino Sabbatelli, Kassius Ohno, Mohamed Fahim, Marcos Gomes, Faisal Kurdi, Hussain Aldagal, and Yifeng (Rocky).
Some of them took to Twitter to confirm the end of their journey with WWE. While a number of them are hopeful that they would be able to rejoin the company after everything goes back to normal, others appear to have accepted their fate and are ready to move on.
Thank you All, Rusev out!
— Miro (@RusevBUL) April 15, 2020
My immediate thoughts.@WWE @WWENXT #WWE #NXT @TripleH @ShawnMichaels #Cruiserweight pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1
— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) April 15, 2020
Thanks for all the kind words everyone! It’s hard to explain what they mean to me so I won’t even try. Know it is appreciated more than you could ever know! EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES! EXCITED ABOUT MY CHOICES! EXCITED TO RIGHT OTHERS WRONGS! #WORLDCLASSMANIAC
— Eric Young (@TheEricYoung) April 17, 2020
I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They’re the best fans in the world. #itstrue
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 15, 2020
WrestlingWithWhiskey@gmail.com
— Matt Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) April 16, 2020
Well, what can I say? I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked for the biggest wrestling company in the history of this industry for the past 10 years. @WWE has given me a platform to perform my craft. I’ve gone places I’d never thought I’d go. ……..
— Orlando Colón (@WWEEpico) April 16, 2020
I’ve met amazing people from all over the globe. But most importantly, thanks to WWE I’ve been able to feed my family and for that I say THANK YOU!thank you to all my brothers and sisters whom I’ve had the honor to share the ring with…..
— Orlando Colón (@WWEEpico) April 16, 2020
We will get through this! We’re all survivors! And when this is all over with! We will meet again down the road! “Hakuna Matata”???time to put the bast behind and move on! On to the next chapter!! ??????
— Orlando Colón (@WWEEpico) April 16, 2020
Just want to say thank you for all the love, kind words and memories shared over the last few days. It means a lot to me and I appreciate every one of you. Glad I was able to entertain and brings smiles to so many. Excited for the future!
— Levis ⁷ (@WWENoWayJose) April 17, 2020
Covid-19 has been devastating for me & my family. My brother in law; who was my legal guardian passed away to Covid-19.
Today, Covid-19 stripped me of my dream job. Feels like life is being sucked from me.
Thank you to everyone that has reached out. Be safe and stay strong.?
— Marvelous MJ Jenkins (@RealMJJenkins_) April 15, 2020
use throughout my career. I'd like to not say this as a goodbye as much as a see you later. Stay strong and stay safe world .
— Nick Comoroto (@NComo1991) April 17, 2020
Meanwhile, the backstage producers, referees, and writers that have either been released or furloughed are Kurt Angle, Shane Helms, Lance Storm, Billy Kidman, Mike Rotunda, Dave (Fit) Finlay, Pat Buck, Sarah Stock, Shawn Daivari, Scott Armstrong, Mike Chioda, and Andrea Listenberger. Also included in the list are performance center trainers Chris Guy, Serena Deeb, and Kendo Kashin; announcers Jerry Soto and Jon Quasto; and interviewer Josiah Williamson.
WWE said in a press release that the firings and furloughs would result in an estimated monthly savings of $4 million. “Given the uncertainty of the situation, the company identified headcount reductions and made the decision to furlough a portion of its workforce effective immediately. The decision to furlough versus permanently reduce headcount reflects the fact that the company currently believes the furlough will be temporary in nature,” added WWE in the statement.
In addition to cutting its talent expenses, third party staffing and consulting, WWE has also implemented other short-term cost reductions and cash flow improvement actions. These include the reduction of executive and board member compensation, cutting operating expenses, and deferral in spending on the company’s new headquarters for at least six months, which are all expected to result in a cash flow improvement of $140 million.