6 Ups And 4 Downs From Last Night's NXT (22 Apr)
3. They Wouldn't, Would They...
If Drake Maverick being fired by WWE is a work, it is amongst the most heinous and reprehensible things the company has ever done. Yes, the point of wrestling is to get you to buy into these performers as real people, which is what they've done, but it's also supposed to be a form of escapism.
Maverick's emotional video following the news of his release was so powerful because it resonated strongly with what's going on in the world right now. Millions are losing their jobs as a result of all this, with no idea how they're going to support themselves or their families, and seeing that Drake Maverick was one of them hit home in a powerful way.
If this was all purely to generate interest in a Cruiserweight Championship tournament, it's beyond the pale. Don't get me wrong, it might well not be, but leaning into it with video packages, backstage promos, and well-placed lines of commentary is a terrible look regardless.