WWE releases Fandango, Tony Nese and more stars in latest round of cuts

WWE has released Fandango, Tony Nese and more stars from NXT and 205 Live in the latest round of budget cuts.

The company confirmed yet more departures this month with his Breezango tag team partner Tyler Breeze, as well as Ariya Daivari, August Grey and Ever-Rise duo Chase Parker and Matt Martel, among those leaving.

Although WWE hasn’t made an official statement, some of the talent themselves have spoken out, with Fandago tweeting: ‘Thank you @VinceMcMahon @TripleH @StephanieMcMahon Thank you for the last 14 years. I truly appreciate it! (sic)’

And Daivari added: ‘Thank you all for the kind words and support. It’s time to put sports entertainment behind me and get back professional wrestling.’

The latest roster cuts follows two months of releases with April and May seeing several high profile names being let go.

Just after WrestleMania, fans were stunned when the company announced the departures of several popular stars, including Mickie James, Chelsea Green, and Kalisto, as well as IIconics duo Peyton Royce and Billie Kay.

Samoa Joe was also part of that batch just days after he was removed from the Raw commentary team, although he returned to the fold last week as William Regal’s enforcer on NXT.

Then in May, WWE announced more shock departures as Aleister Black, Ruby Riott, Lana, Braun Strowman and more were let go. 

The Monster Among Men was the biggest of these, having been positioned as a major star by the company, including a WrestleMania clash with Shane McMahon in April followed a world title match with Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley the following month.

It’s not know where the stars are going next, but those released in April are free to work for another wrestling promotion as of July 15, which is just in time for IMPACT’s Slammiversary show.

Strowman could be AEW-bound after Mark Henry admitted he’d love to bring him to the company.

He said: ‘Hopefully by the time he’s allowed to wrestle in August, I think the middle of August, then we could have a serious conversation about contractual things of that nature but right now there’s interest on both sides. I love that dude.’

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