The Real Reason TJP Was Released By WWE

The Cruiserweight Classic winner didn't leave on good terms.

TJP 4
WWE.com

TJP was one of three WWE Superstars to be released from the company last Friday, following Hideo Itami and Tye Dillinger (who'd both requested to be let go from the company in recent weeks) out the door.

While Itami and Dillinger weren't surprising departures, TJP's was, despite his general lack of usage of 205 Live. Now, it looks like the reason behind his release has come to light.

Speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed that the former TJ Perkins' release was due to "disciplinary" issues, noting that while the precise details surrounding him being let go are mostly unknown, a number of company officials and wrestlers have claimed he was difficult to work with.

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TJP was picked to win WWE's Cruiserweight Classic tournament in 2016, but only after original winner Kota Ibushi declined the company's contract offer. He was immediately installed at the head of the revived Cruiserweight division, but experienced an immediate creative downturn, as WWE saddled him with a go-nowhere video-gamer gimmick. His fortunes would continue declining thereafter, and he has wrestled just three matches total in 2019.

It'll be interesting to see where TJP lands next, but perhaps him and WWE was a marriage made to fail from the start.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.