Nia Jax Released From WWE Due To Unvaccinated Status?

Nia Jax wasn't the only WWE release who was "openly unvaccinated" either...

by Andy H Murray
Nia Jax
WWE.com

Nia Jax was one of the more surprising names on the list of 18 wrestlers let go by WWE yesterday as despite not appearing on television since a September loss to Shayna Baszler, she has typically been one of the company's strongest pushed women over the past few years.

"Budget cuts" have been cited as one of the reasons behind the releases, as has often been the case in 2021. There appears to be more to WWE's decision to let go of Jax, though.

Per The New York Post's Ryan Glasspiegel, who references a "source with knowledge of WWE's operations", one of the reasons behind Nia's departure was that she hasn't been vaccinated against COVID-19.

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Fightful Select have also published a report stating that "at least five" of the wrestlers let go on Thursday were "openly unvaccinated". Some of these names are said to be surprising, though the writeup emphasises that their unvaccinated status wasn't the sole reason for any releases, nor was it the reason across the board.

While being unvaccinated is legal, it does restrict wrestlers from where they can work depending on area, venue, and travel-related regulations.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.