WWE's Network Partners Upset By Bray Wyatt's Release?
The Fiend's WWE release has had a ripple effect outside the company...
Following on from Sunday's news that Bray Wyatt's WWE release had cratered morale amongst the promotion's wrestlers, staff, and other employees, it now appears that the company's networking partners aren't thrilled with the situation either.
The Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast's Andrew Zarian reported the following on Monday evening, quoting a network source who was both disappointed and scared by the situation:-
On vacation so I’m a behind with stuff.
AdvertisementI’m hearing a lot of frustration from the networks regarding Bray release. “Bray’s released is really disappointing and a little scary that top stars are being let go” - network sourceYou have to remember perception is everything
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) August 2, 2021
Wyatt was cut loose from WWE despite being one of the company's top merchandise sellers. A known money-maker for WWE, albeit in an era where direct-to-consumer sales have never accounted for a smaller percentage of the company's revenue, his release was the most surprising in a year that has already seen WWE drop more than 40 wrestlers from its talent roster.
If bound by a standard WWE 90-day non-compete clause, Bray will be free to appear and sign for other wrestling promotions from 29 October. He is yet to offer a substantial comment on his WWE release.
Like other recent WWE releases, Wyatt's was attributed to "budget cuts". This is despite the company generating record profits in 2020 - and projecting to do the same again in 2021.