8 Big Questions Raised By Neville Walking Out On WWE

4. Is This Part Of A Growing Trend?

Neville WWE
WWE.com

Austin Aries was officially released from his WWE contract on July 7th. The reasons behind this remain debatable, but the most popular explanation is that 'A Double' was frustrated with his role in the company, valued himself higher than the neglected cruiserweight division, and decided to walk away.

Three months have passed since then, but there's a clear line to be drawn between Neville and Aries if the former walked out for similar reasons. If so, who's to say that this isn't part of a growing trend on the WWE roster, and that other marginalised wrestlers might feel empowered by the departures and ask for their own release?

Guys like Cedric Alexander and Gran Metalik were thriving on the indies, but have accomplished the square root of nothing as WWE cruiserweights. Why would either want to stick around? Beyond that, the likes of Rusev and Luke Harper have been marginalised all year, so it's not outwith the realm of possibility that they're thinking about other options too.

WWE are the ones who'll ultimately decide whether to cut such performers loose or not, but it'd be counterproductive to keep so many disgruntled employees around.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.