After having the last two weeks off, the WWE NXT roster and crew are preparing for tonight’s episode. The show had been taped over the past few weeks due to the show airing on Syfy instead of the USA Network due to coverage of the Olympics.
Last Friday, Asher Hale, Ari Sterling, Bobby Fish, Bronson Reed, Jake Atlas, Kona Reeves, Leon Ruff, Mercedes Martinez, Tyler Rust, Zechariah Smith, Giant Zanjeer, and referee Stephon Smith were let go due to budget cuts. It also happened at the same time as the new direction was put into place for the brand as Vince McMahon wants to move away from smaller and older wrestlers in favor of having younger and taller performers.
WrestleVotes noted that the morale isn’t good among the roster. The report stated, “the mood at the PC today ahead of tonight’s NXT show…. hooooooo boy. Tensions running high to say the least.”
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful also noted that he also heard it’s not great.
It's not great! https://t.co/hDyHKNrq6m
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 10, 2021
After the cuts were made, Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast reported USA Network executives are disappointed with the talent releases.
