Jason Burgos
A new report suggests that the older talent on WWE’s roster should be worried about their place in the company.
Last week brought the shocking news that over 20 WWE wrestlers were either released from their deals or saw their contracts expire without offers for new pacts. This year’s round of cuts featured many surprising stars, including all of the Wyatt Sicks, as well as Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.
There has been a lot of speculation about why certain performers were released, including rumors that WWE’s parent company, TKO, did not like dark, supernatural characters. Well, on Friday, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer added a new piece of intelligence on the situation when he reported some of the cuts were “age-related” as the company aims to have a younger roster.
If true, we take a look at eight veteran WWE stars who should be worried they could be part of the next round of roster cuts.
Asuka
A case can be made that Asuka is the greatest Japanese-born wrestler in WWE history. There is little that she hasn’t done in the company. But with over 10 years in the promotion, and a few months away from her 45th birthday, one has to wonder if she could be a future cut since she has not been a focus of the main event picture in years.
Not getting to finish her storyline with Kairi Sane before her release last week only adds to that possibility.
Shinsuke Nakamura
If not Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura is the greatest Japanese import WWE has ever had. However, it has been years since the company used him in a major role, and he rarely wrestles on episodes of SmackDown. The 46-year-old should definitely be concerned that his age could lead to his release in the near future.
R-Truth
Is R-Truth still valuable to the company? Of course. And there is no better proof than currently being one-half of the WWE tag champs. However, as sad as it is to admit, at 54 years old, his time in the company is very close to its end. WWE let his contract expire last summer until the fan outcry made them re-sign him. If they did it once, they are sure to do it again in the next year or so.
Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano will go down as one of the greatest performers in NXT history. Unfortunately, since moving to the main roster a couple of years ago, he has not been nearly as impactful as he was for the black-and-gold brand. The NXT grand slam champ is only 38 and right in his “wrestler prime.” However, he feels on the old side because he has been in the company for so long.
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
The New Day will go down as one of the 10 best tag teams in WWE history. However, outside of their heel turn a couple of years ago, it has been a very long time since the duo was relevant at the top of the division. The elder stateman of the team, Kofi Kingston, is 44 years old and has been in the company for 20 years. It would not be surprising if he were on the chopping block as WWE goes in a fresh direction with the roster.
While Woods is only 39, WWE may choose to release him along with his teammate instead of trying to reimagine his character as a solo act.
Nattie Neidhart
Nattie Neidhart is one of the longest tenured members of the roster after she hit 19 years in WWE this January. While she is still a capable performer, the women’s roster is as strong as ever and has a boatload of prospects on the rise. Like Kofi Kingston, it would make sense if WWE moved on from the future Hall of Famer after just under two decades in the organization.
The Miz
The Miz continues to prove why he is valuable and willing to do whatever the company needs. However, change is inevitable, and after 20 years in WWE, it puts him right in the crosshairs of roster cuts.
Making his situation even more tenuous is that Ethan Page was called up to RAW last week. The NXT star, in many ways, is a younger and probably much more cost-effective version of The Miz. While it may not be likely this year, The Miz should still have some concerns about his future in WWE.
Sheamus
At 48 years old, it sure seems like Sheamus’ run in WWE is nearing its conclusion. After signing with the company 19 years ago, the Irishman has put together a legendary career and is a lock to go to the HOF. But the multi-time world champ probably would have been released by now, but in a show of his professionalism, he put his ego aside several years ago and has been helping to build other talent since. That has extended his tenure much longer than most might have expected.
