A new theory is making the rounds among WWE talent regarding the recent post-WrestleMania 42 releases, and it points to someone within TKO leadership reportedly not being a fan of darker, supernatural characters on the WWE roster.
Per Mike Johnson of PWInsider, this story has been circulating among multiple WWE talents over the past week as fans noticed a clear pattern emerging from the cuts.
A fan asked Johnson during his daily Q&A whether there was a pattern in the talent that was released, specifically pointing to the dark and “spooky” characters who were among those cut.
“I don’t know if there’s a pattern, but I can tell you there’s been a story bouncing around among talents that someone in the TKO realm isn’t a fan of the darker characters, and that’s been the blame placed on why The Wyatts, Aleister Black, Zelina, etc. were all cut.”
Johnson noted that he could not verify whether the theory is accurate, but that he has heard it repeatedly from multiple sources.
“One person even suggested to me that Undertaker being The American Badass and not The Deadman in appearances is proof of that outlook. I have no way to prove that is correct, but the story has made the rounds this past week among numerous people we’ve spoken with. Whether there is something to it, or just assumptions, I can’t verify at this juncture. I guess we will see if and when WWE leans back into supernatural and dark characters again.”
The releases referenced in the theory include several talents who portrayed darker or supernatural-leaning characters on WWE television:
- The entire Wyatt Sicks faction (Bo Dallas as Uncle Howdy, Joe Gacy as Mercy the Buzzard, Dexter Lumis as Huskus the Pigboy, Erick Rowan as Ramblin’ Rabbit, and Nikki Cross as Abby the Witch)
- Aleister Black, who returned to WWE in 2025 with his dark, spiritual character intact
- Zelina Vega, who is married to Aleister Black
The Undertaker Connection
The fan theory also points to The Undertaker’s recent appearances on WWE programming as further evidence. Since returning to WWE in a more public role, Undertaker has primarily appeared as his American Badass biker character rather than the supernatural Deadman persona that defined the bulk of his career.
Approximately 25 WWE talents were released in a sweeping post-WrestleMania 42 roster reset on April 24.
For the full Q&A, visit PWInsider.
