Real Reason WWE Released This NXT Wrestler Revealed

WWE released five NXT wrestlers earlier this week, with Tuesday night regular Bodhi Hayward the most surprising name on the list.

A Performance Center recruit in August 2021, Hayward worked his first ever wrestling match under WWE's banner in January 2022, becoming an established part of the Chase U faction alongside Andre Chase and Thea Hail. Now, he has been cut.

The surprised reaction to his departure is understandable - but there's more to it. According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, Hayward was a "handful" in WWE, which may have contributed to him being let go by the promotion while in the midst of an on-air storyline with Duke Hudson.

Other details are scarce. Again, there is more to Bodhi's situation, though Alvarez didn't have specifics.

Hayward commented on his WWE release last night, saying he felt hurt and embarrassed in an emotional video:-

Thank you to all my brodies for the continuous love and support ❤️ The journey continues…#30days pic.twitter.com/PDdB7WHzQc

— Brady Booker (@bodhihaywardWWE) November 1, 2022

Stablemate Andre Chase, meanwhile, has paid tribute to Bodhi on his way out:-

I just want to publicly thank @bodhihaywardWWE for his dedication to #ChaseU.

I will always appreciate him being my first scholarship athlete, but more importantly I will always appreciate his friendship. Keep going‼️?? pic.twitter.com/f0buZjZuKB

— Andre Chase (@AndreChaseWWE) November 1, 2022

WWE briefly acknowledged Hayward's departure on last night's NXT, doing so in a backstage segment involving Chase, Hudson, and Thea Hail. The up-and-comer is likely bound to a standard developmental 30-day non-compete clause.