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WWE created a lot of buzz among the internet wrestling community this weekend when they released four Superstars - Luke Harper, Sin Cara, and Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension.
Harper and Sin Cara had both requested for their release from their WWE contracts earlier this year, and they have now been granted it. Following the release of the four Superstars, WWE could let go of a few more Superstars who have not been used on WWE television lately, and those that are unhappy.
Let's take a deeper look at the rumors surrounding these releases and more in this article:
#1 WWE Superstars' reaction to latest releases
There have been quite a few Superstars who have asked for their release from WWE over the last few months, with two of the most prominent being Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson of The Revival.
There have been rumblings about them being unhappy and asking for their release, but it seems that WWE are in no mood to let them leave, and they could probably see out their contract in the promotion.
Fightful Select spoke to a talent backstage on the current situation with The Revival and this is what they had to say:
"It's either a coincidence or next level f--king with The Revival that a bunch of people get granted their releases, but they can't release them because they have a title match on next weekend's show."
According to the report, WWE Superstars are happy for the four Superstars who got released.
The match that is being referred to is for the SmackDown Tag Team titles as The Revival face off against The New Day on the TLC go-home show of SmackDown, after earning that opportunity on last week's episode.
The duo's contracts with WWE are set to expire next year in April, which could be when they eventually leave WWE.
#2 Backstage reason for WWE allowing Luke Harper to leave
Luke Harper is one Superstar that has wanted his release for a long time, asking for it way back in April of this year. He was finally granted his release just before the end of the year.
Sportskeeda's Tom Colohue on a YouTube video revealed the reason why WWE changed their mind and allowed Harper to leave the promotion.
He said that all four Superstars knew that the release was coming with Harper even trademarking his previous ring name - Brodie Lee.
"Harper clearly knew it was coming beforehand as he trademarked his original ring name Brodie Lee, but everyone was told in individual meetings that it would be happening. So they knew, at least a little bit ahead of time even if they couldn't formally announce it," said Colohue about the Harper release.
He also revealed that Harper's lack of WWE TV time was not because of injuries but because WWE creative did not have anything for him.
"It's the case that the creative team simply don't seem to know or didn't at least, seemed to know what to do with him. His recent pairing with Erick Rowan was very last minute, that was something Eric Bischoff was pushing to my knowledge, and while I don't believe it's anything to do with Eric Bischoff departing, I do believe that storyline was very rushed. And, I think that has to do with the brand split and the intention to have a new draft, just before Survivor Series," said Colohue.
Read more about Harper's release here.
#3 Future of The Revival
The Revival, as mentioned earlier, had also reportedly asked for their release earlier this year. But, they may not be leaving any time soon and their request to leave WWE could be exaggerated as per Tom Colohue.
In his YouTube video, Colohue said that The Revival have not asked for their release as per his knowledge and neither have they signed new contracts with the company.
"Going forward, I haven't anything more on The Revival but they have suggested that their request for a release was over-exaggerated. to my knowledge, they did not request an actual release. And with the tag division improving as it had, even though we haven't seen much of a tag division recently, we have seen a lot of tag teams added. AOP having another shot now, the Viking Raiders are another example who have done good things, Heavy Machinery, those are just the ones that have been constant and consistent."
"I haven't heard anything about them signing new contracts, but I haven't heard anything about them leaving either. I believe they will remain."
Read more about Tom Colohue's report on The Revival's WWE future here.
#4 Superstar's reaction following WWE release
Following the release of the four Superstars, Sportskeeda's own Gary Cassidy spoke to one of the Superstars who was positive and upbeat following his WWE release.
The unnamed Superstar was excited about what the future holds for him following his release from WWE and had this to say:
"It's been a long venture with a lot of stories," said the anonymous Superstar, before going on to reveal that everything was happening quickly, vis-a-vis his release. The Superstar said that he was grateful for his tenure in WWE.
He also said that he was nervous about what the future holds: "You're always nervous about change in any aspects of life."
A report by PWInsider has revealed that more Superstars could be released in the coming weeks and months by WWE, and it remains to be seen who could be next in line to leave the company.
Also Read: WWE Rumors: More Superstars to be released by company following Luke Harper and 3 others
#5 Reason for recent releases
Many fans have been wondering why WWE decided to release these four Superstars, with the prospect of them joining rivals AEW a big possibility.
But, Paul Davis of WrestlingNews.co has revealed that WWE management believe that the four wrestlers released will not make a huge difference if AEW signs them.
"The feeling is that the company will let some wrestlers go, specifically wrestlers who will not make a huge difference if All Elite Wrestling were interested in singing them. AEW is not looking to sign a lot of former WWE stars so there’s no guarantee that any of the recent WWE releases will be going there."
He then said that Luke Harper could join AEW as he is friends with "key people in AEW".
Davis also said that another reason for WWE allowing them to leave was to cut down on salaries and give new deals to mid-card and upper card talent who are currently in WWE.
#6 Reason why unhappy Superstar was offered a new contract
There have been a slew of releases this past weekend, but there was a Superstar who was also offered a new contract. 205 Live Superstar Oney Lorcan announced this weekend that he has signed a new contract with WWE.
This comes as a surprise considering Lorcan's very public criticism of Triple H. He recently took a shot at Triple H who had said that WWE Superstars should not go on social media to ask for their releases.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed the possible reason why WWE offered him a new contract.
"But whatever it was whatever the problem is, that tweet got him, put it this way, I give credit to Levesque (Triple H) for this, because he can go in there and play ego and go, 'f*** him, he's a nobody, insulting me on social media' and it was an insult, or, it's like, we don't want him to go to AEW, he's a good wrestler, we're in a war, let's make him happy and they did the latter. A lot of promoters would have gone the other direction."
