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Welcome back to the latest edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling's daily WWE News & Rumor roundup. As expected, today's lineup features all the updates regarding the latest round of releases in the WWE.
Multiple reasons contributed to the releases, and we've covered all the relevant details that are slowly trickling out of the company.
Triple H's name has also been trending since the departure of several NXT talents, and we have an important update on The Game's in-ring status and future.
WWE unsurprisingly has some big plans for Brock Lesnar in 2022, and we've briefly shed some light on them in the roundup.
A report has also emerged explaining why WWE officials are currently hesitant to discipline Charlotte Flair despite her apparent backstage issues in the promotion.
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We've got a lot to get into today, so let's not waste any more time and get right down to business.
#5. Controversy over Nia Jax's WWE release following her heartfelt statement
Nia Jax reacted to her shocking WWE release with a heartfelt post on Instagram, and her statement has kickstarted some considerable controversies surrounding her departure.
Jax revealed that she was on a leave of absence from WWE to focus on her mental health. The former RAW Women's Champion stated that WWE sent her the in-ring return schedule, and she was slated to compete again on November 15.
However, Jax requested an extension of her mental health break and hoped the company would support her during these testing times. But she was stunned to learn about her WWE release. She further claimed that WWE officials never mentioned her vaccination status. If you didn't know, a report stated that Nia Jax was released as she was not vaccinated.
Jax admitted that she was heartbroken by the release as she spent seven years in the WWE and loved working with several talents.
Jax wrote the following:
"I usually keep my personal life private, but yesterday's reports leave me with no option but to clarify matters. I recently took a short leave of absence from WWE for a mental health break. I've been working through so much -- more than I can share -- and so I took some time, with the full support of the company, to take care of myself. Earlier this week, after WWE sent me my schedule to return to the ring for the November 15 show, I asked for an extension to my mental health break, feeling that I needed more time, and hoping I would have the ongoing support of the company I have given my all to for the past 7 years. I did not receive a response. The next I heard, I was being released. My vaccination status was never mentioned. I wasn't given any choices or options. It breaks my heart to be so abruptly let go, without consultation, when dealing with so much privately. I loved my career at WWE, I love the men and women I worked with, and I am going to need time to process this huge loss. I appreciate those people who have shown understanding and compassion during an incredibly difficult time."
Nia Jax has received a lot of support in the wake of her statement, as the timing of her WWE exit could not have been any worse.
WWE has naturally received some heat for the decision to release Nia Jax, and one big superstar even openly urged the company to re-sign the former Women's Champion.
Will WWE get Nia Jax back? Only time will tell, but her statement has definitely damaged WWE's reputation regarding talent management.
#4. Brock Lesnar could return in 2022, update on WWE's plans until next year's WrestleMania
Brock Lesnar is currently away from WWE TV serving a storyline suspension, and the belief is that the Beast Incarnate will be back to resume his feud with Roman Reigns.
In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE plans on using Brock Lesnar heavily from January 2022 until WrestleMania in April.
Meltzer noted that WWE only has a handful of big-money attractions to bank on, and Brock Lesnar is undoubtedly the company's most prized asset. Edge and Goldberg have been overutilized on TV late, leaving the Beast Incarnate as the only part-time talent the company can get behind.
Based on all the reports doing the rounds, Brock Lesnar should ideally return in January 2022 and go ahead with the Roman Reigns storyline right up until WrestleMania 38.
"They are down to Edge, Lesnar, and Goldberg, whether it's a Saudi show or Mania," said Meltzer. "And Edge is being used often enough that he's not a hotshot that is going to be a difference-maker. Goldberg has been used a lot of late, and Lesnar will be used a lot between January and WrestleMania," Meltzer pointed out.
While Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns in 2022 might seem like WWE's endgame for the angle, the former could also face an old rival before he locks horns again with the Tribal Chief.
#3. Update on Triple H's in-ring status and retirement
Triple H's name was all over social media following the recent releases, as many stars were considered his projects.
Dave Meltzer revealed in the Newsletter that Triple H has not returned to work backstage for NXT ever since he underwent heart surgery in September.
It was added that Triple H's in-ring days could very well be over, even though there is a possibility of him coming back for one final match.
However, he would need the clearance of WWE doctors to compete again, and the chances of wrestling look slim.
"I wouldn't expect HHH to ever wrestle again, although it is possible he may do one retirement match if he feels the need to leave on his own terms and doctors will clear him, that's not likely to be for a long time, and he hasn't even returned to behind-the-scenes work yet," said Meltzer
If Triple H does manage to secure a retirement match, who would you like to see as his opponent?
#2. Backstage news on the recent WWE releases, leaked emails, and more
WWE released 18 superstars on Thursday, and backstage details surrounding their departures keep surfacing online.
Fighful Select revealed the company-wide emails that John Laurinaitis sent to talent before their release. WWE cited 'budget cuts' as the official reason, and two separate emails were sent to NXT and main roster talent, respectively.
Interestingly, B-Fab was included as part of the NXT mail, featuring Scarlett, Franky Monet, Ember Moon, Jessi Kamea, Trey Baxter, Oney Lorcan Jeet Rama, Katrina Cortez, and Zayda Ramier.
Additionally, Oney Lorcan's name was incorrectly spelled as "Oney Lorkan" in the mail. Mia Yim, Keith Lee, Eva Marie, Nia Jax, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado were mentioned in the main roster email, which reads as follows:
"Due to budget cuts, the following WWE talent were released today, November 4, 2021. Thank you, John Laurinaitis."
It was unveiled that budget cuts weren't the only reason behind the releases. NYPost was the first to report that certain talents were released for being unvaccinated, and both Andrew Zarian and Fightful Select backed up the report.
Dave Meltzer noted that age was also a significant factor in the releases as WWE wants to build younger superstars. The new directive within WWE is to hire female wrestlers under the age of 25.
WWE is actively trimming down its roster, and fans should brace themselves for more releases to happen at regular intervals in the future.
#1. Backstage reason why WWE has not punished Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair's current WWE status has been a hot topic of discussion ever since she went off-script during her SmackDown segment with Becky Lynch a few weeks back.
Dave Meltzer has revealed that WWE is in a tricky situaton regarding Charlotte Flair as she is not the 'only guilty party.' Officials are hesitant to discipline Flair as the company would ideally have to reprimand other talents if they decide to take action.
Meltzer reported the following:
"Charlotte is a tricky situation. Not just because she's a star in a division with very few stars. But because she's not the only guilty party. Discipline her, and you have to discipline quite a few people."
While Flair is reportedly not the most popular talent behind the scenes, WWE has more critical issues to address across the board.
Did you check out what Vince Russo had to say about Charlotte Flair's complicated WWE status?
