The WWE locker room and insiders are starting to react to the shocking WWE talent cull which took place on what is being termed 'Black Thursday'. In all 11 people got released from their WWE contract - JTG, Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal, Aksana, Curt Hawkins, Teddy Long, Camacho, Brodus Clay, Evan Bourne, Yoshi Tatsu and referee Marc Harris. PWinsider has revealed details behind several of these releases. Regarding the Tatsu exit it is being said that there was an internal feeling for some time that the Japanese star had regressed in the ring. As far as Brodus Clay goes, he had reportedly "fell out of favour" with the creative team. Clay had always put his best foot forward with his 'Funkasaurous' work, but clearly from media interviews he felt he should have been pushed more as a serious monster. He has previously noted that Mark Henry's 'Hall of Pain' gimmick was an idea he had originally came up with. Since being released yesterday, Clay has commented that he intends to go and save dolphins, with the environmental concern his biggest priority. In regards to the Teddy Long release, he had actually been out of contract for a while, it was well known that he would be leaving the company at some time. Aged 66 he is probably glad to be free. The general consensus within WWE is that the only major surprises were Camacho and Curt Hawkins. Let's be honest though, these men were doing nothing on television for a long period, what's really the point of paying for something which isn't used? Part of the reason for the locker room shock was that Camcho had high personal popularity and Hawkins had many years left on his deal. Since being released we have seen Hawkins engage in a brief twitter war with Mark Henry. The big man posted an ill timed tweet showing off about how long he had been employed by WWE, Hawkins responded by calling him an idiot. Several of the releases, including Jinder and Hawkins, have already lined up bookings elsewhere and are actively touting their availability to work. The releases will have certainly put others in the WWE locker room on alert level, with plenty of other deadwood still remaining in the company.
