In a move that sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, WWE has once again trimmed its roster, releasing stars like Xyon Quinn, Jinder Mahal, Veer, Sanga, and Xia Li. The official line? Budget cuts—a tune we’ve all heard before, but one that never quite hits the right notes, especially for the stars and fans involved.
According to the inside scoop from Fightful Select, the axe fell not just due to financial pruning but also because of a brutal combo of low TV appearances and perceived stagnation. It’s a classic case of out of sight, out of mind, or perhaps more aptly, out of ideas, out of time. It seems the creative well ran dry, and rather than a refill, WWE opted for a spill.
The whispers from backstage tell a tale of surprise and silence. Wrestlers at “WWE SmackDown” learned of their colleagues’ fates through the grapevine of social media and online chatter—a modern-day message in a bottle that no one hopes to receive. The lack of direct communication, once a procedural norm, was noticeably absent, adding a layer of cold to the already frosty news.
Jinder Mahal, a veteran presence in the locker room, had been a guiding light in the developmental territories, doling out advice like candy on Halloween. Xia Li, on the other hand, had been a narrative force, working closely with Shawn Michaels to craft compelling stories in the ring—her last chapter cut short just as she was set to shine in the WWE Women’s World Championship battle royal.
This backstage drama underscores a larger narrative playing out since WWE and UFC’s merger into TKO. Such corporate marriages often lead to budgetary belt-tightening, and unfortunately, it’s the talent that tends to feel the squeeze. With no clear end to these cuts in sight, the future holds uncertainty and a hint of dread for those who remain under the bright lights but ever-narrowing spotlight of WWE.
As the industry reels from these changes, the question on everyone’s lips is: Who’s next? And more importantly, when will the music stop?