Maverick was released last week in the mass exodus but was allowed to participate in the NXT's interim Cruiserweight Championship tournament. Whether he’s re-signed or not, or however long his contract status has been a work... isn’t that awful for the people who definitely lost their jobs last month? "But I know he's going to put on a spectacular performance, that's what he's always done. "Nobody wants to see the economy shut down or any of the things that are going on at this moment. Drake Maverick will compete in the NXT Cruiserweight Interim Championship tournament despite being released. While it was a difficult choice, maybe we should look at it again and I really do hope that he can [prove us wrong]," Levesque said. The emotional moment came weeks after it was announced Maverick was being released by the company – along with the likes of Rusev, Heath Slater, Luke Gallow and Karl Anderson – … And that's the reality of this situation. Drake Maverick was part of the releases made by WWE on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The latest rumors, including backstage frustration in WWE, an update on Tegan Nox’s ACL injury, details about NXT Underground, SmackDown pre-empted, and more! The black and gold brand was not immune to these lay offs with recognizable names like Lio Rush and Kassius Ohno being released from the company. During a Newsweek interview with Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development, for his upcoming 25-Year Celebration on this week's Friday Night SmackDown, "The Game" was asked about the layoffs. It could be his last match in WWE. To continue reading login or create an account. It could be his last match in WWE. That’s because, as the above ten minute production “The unbreakable dreams of Drake Maverick” chronicles, Maverick was one of the many people who were released from the company back on April 15. Wednesday Night’s Alright: Family Stories, WWE And AEW Have Been Left Scrambling To Book Shows Amid COVID-19 Outbreaks, A Brutal Women’s Title Match Stole The Show On NXT UK This Week, Wednesday Night’s Alright: Chaos Is A Ladder, Road Warrior Animal, A Wrestling Legend, Has Died At 60, Serena Deeb Could Be Just What The AEW Women’s Division Needs. "I hope that he proves us wrong, and that we made the wrong choice. "As a part of this, we'll see where all of this goes and [Drake Maverick is] an incredibly talented performer and hopefully this is an opportunity he can make the most of.". The two professional wrestlers - real names James Curtin and Brian Myers respectively - have been axed by WWE alongside the likes of Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Heath Slater, Eric Young, EC3, and Lio Rush. Drake Maverick faces Kushida in the NXT Interim Cruiserweight Championship Tournament tomorrow night (May 20). Per an announcement on WWE.com, they’ve released a number of Superstars [Updated]: WWE has come to terms on the release of Kurt Angle, Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev), Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson), Heath Slater (Heath Miller), Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz), Rowan (Joseph Ruud), Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe), No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela), Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett), Maria Kanellis, EC3 (Michael Hutter), Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt), Lio Rush (Lionel Green), Primo (Edwin Colon) and Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves). That may mean more names are on the way, presumably as they’re informed personally so they don’t learn they’ve lost their jobs via the website. It was a tough week for many involved as the wrestling promotion looks to cut employee spending amid the coronavirus pandemic. "It's been a difficult time for everybody. Vince McMahon made it clear earlier today in that big conference call that cuts were coming, including to talent. Drake Maverick is a heavy sympathetic in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament but is still reportedly being released by WWE. I don’t have the answers. None of these are exactly shocking, as they haven’t been pushed as big stars in WWE (and some like EC3 haven’t even been on TV in months), but that’s a lot of people to let go at one time, as opposed to their usual release announcements that come in ones and twos. Everybody across the board from the biggest companies in the world like Disney all the way through are having to make really tough choices and we are no exception, especially as a publicly traded company, and it sucks," Levesque told Newsweek. The odds of WWE spending all this time and money to build up the former(?) WWE wouldn’t be putting out videos like this if Drake Maverick was still released, right? Oddly enough, Maverick was billed to be part of the NXT Cruiserweight Interim Championship tournament weeks prior to his release, a point that Drake would confirm that he's still participating in in his video. NXT airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT on USA Network. The WWE is like a family in that regard and decisions like this are extremely difficult and I wish nothing but the best for those people that unfortunately were a part of this," Levesque continued. Update 2: Sarah Logan, formerly of the Riott Squad, has now been released, as has referee Mike Chioda, who has been with WWE since 1989. Cageside Seats, for Pro Wrestling and MMA fans. While not planned, Maverick's release is now a part of the story of the tournament as it could very well be his last few matches in the company. See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. Triple H Comments on WWE Layoffs and Drake Maverick's NXT Cruiserweight Tournament Participation | Sports. Once the employees were warned, it didn’t take long for the names to start coming out. In a heartfelt Twitter video posted that afternoon, Drake revealed he would still compete in the tourney despite being let go.
Update 4: Maria Kanellis, Zack Ryder, and No Way Jose have been released. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Levesque, while being a WWE Hall of Famer and one of the promotion's most recognizable in-ring talents, is also the head of the company's third brand, NXT. Rumor Roundup: Backstage WWE frustration, Nox injury, NXT Underground, more! ", "It's been a tough few weeks and hopefully we can put these tough times behind us and I look forward to the day that we can. The Drake Maverick … But is there any way that’s not at least a little bit tasteless? Facebook Twitter Flipboard uproxx.it Topics: #WWE Tags: CURT HAWKINS , DRAKE MAVERICK , EC3 , FUTURE ENDEAVORS , HEATH SLATER , … Or is this just what everyone in this wild business signs on for, that any aspect of their life is fair game if there’s money to be made using it in a story? The NXT Cruiserweight Interim Championship tournament began last week, but Maverick's first match in the round robin tournament goes down tonight and it's something that fans will want to see as real life events meld with the in-ring action. You have 4 free articles remaining this month, Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles. Update 3: Primo and Epico Colón, Erick Rowan, and Mike Kanellis have now been released as well.
Like I said, this is a tough situation for everybody and we're just trying to make the best of it and do what we can and I'm sure he will [make the best of it].". That’s because, as the above ten minute production “The unbreakable dreams of Drake Maverick” chronicles, Maverick was one of the many people who were released from the company back on April 15. When this news story was first posted on WWE.com, it only listed Maverick, Hawkins, Maverick, EC3, and Rush, but it was edited within a few minutes to add Gallows, Slater, and Young. Report: WWE plans to take over Twitch accounts and revenue from its wrestlers. "I'm hopeful that we can continue to do business the way that we had and down the line when this is all over we can all get back together again if circumstances allow. "There's a saying in our business that you're always a day away from your fortune or storyline changing to something totally different and this is no exception," Levesque said. Also, Drake Maverick was announced as a competitor in the NXT Cruiserweight Tournament, where he’ll now need to be replaced. A week ago, the WWE laid off or furloughed a portion of its employees and released on-air talent. Drake Maverick and Curt Hawkins have been released by WWE. Rockstar Spud just so he can sign with AEW or Impact in a few weeks are long. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Drake Maverick was one of the names who was released by WWE en masse due to the budget cuts owing to COVID - 19. Since then he’s been on a babyface journey, with NXT using his release as an angle - even having the man who beat him in the Interim Cruiserweight Tournament, Jake Atlas, playing the role of a Maverick super-fan. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. A new report says that WWE is trying to control the revenue that its wrestlers are making from Twitch. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.