Ringside
THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, the clashes between police and the communities they’re supposed to serve … the only positive about these worst of times is they came at a time of relative stability (at least in terms of the economy at large). Yet even a billion-dollar company such as WWE cannot maintain its business model without worldwide touring and butts in seats.
In addition to reducing executive and board member compensation and postponing plans to expand its headquarters, WWE trimmed the talent rosters for all three brands. The list of released wrestlers and referees was scary because it ranged from talent that barely had a chance to prove themselves to longtime employees and popular superstars.
“Rusev Day” chants once reverberated throughout arenas around the world. But, without the crowds chanting his name, made the list. was involved in a major angle, the conspiracy to eliminate , only a few months ago. The OC is no more, with the release of the long-underutilized duo of and . (Meanwhile, was granted a needed change of scenery from to .) had served as a top referee since the 1980s. , perhaps the greatest talent yet to shine in WWE, was denied once again. Even the stars who have survived every other storm—, , and —were let go. How’s Heath going to feed those kids now?
