Details Behind Recent WWE Releases

WWE had their latest round of releases on April 19.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp confirmed that Indus Sher (Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer), Xia Li, Von Wagner and Xyon Quinn were all released by the company. Internally, the releases were cited as budget cuts, though we’re not sure what was indicated to talent. The talent were informed Friday evening.

When we asked around about the cuts, Fightful were told by WWE higher ups that it was a combination of not appearing on television due to creative not having anything for the talent, as well as upward trajectory based on progression and how long they’d been with the company.

Several wrestlers at Smackdown found out about the releases as the news filtered in. Unlike some occasions in the past, there were not memos sent out to talent or staff that announced the releases. So talent still on the roster found out as they became public knowledge. WWE no longer publicly announce releases, and haven’t for years. We’ve not had it confirmed that this is all of the releases, though other outlets have claimed it was. We’ve also not confirmed the nature of the contact made with the talent, outside of that it was via a phone call Friday.

Jinder Mahal was at NXT recently, and Corey Brennan is told that he was very helpful and willing give advice to anyone that wanted it. It was clarified to Sean Ross Sapp that Mahal’s departure was a release, as opposed to him quitting.

Xia Li worked directly with Shawn Michaels on her story with Lyra Valkyria, and was actually advertised for this Monday’s world title battle royal. When Fightful asked about that, we’re told the graphics team had not been made privy to the details of the release.

Fightful followed up about the main roster status of Von Wagner at the end of the year after the longtime NXT talent was included in the WWE main roster draft last year. In the draft, Wagner was included in the pool, but listed as a free agent, only to quickly return to NXT.

Wagner competed in one main roster match – a top contender battle royal in May, and then immediately returned back to NXT where he’s remained. We’re told that there had been no main roster plans for Wagner in that time, at no fault of his own. Xyon Quinn also competed in that match, and didn’t appear in NXT or the main roster until a squash loss to Bron Breakker in March.

Wagner had gotten looks ahead of WWE Raw on Main Event numerous times at the end of 2023, both times facing NXT talent.

We’re told that there were never any significant creative plans on the main roster for either man. It was also reiterated to us by WWE sources that all of the releases that occurred were talent who had been with WWE for 5+ years, and felt that the trajectory of the talents didn’t match the experience level in the company in many cases.

Each talent has a 90 day non compete.

Ultimately, we didn’t hear of any situations of heat that would have contributed to the releases, and generally the talent let go appeared to be well liked.

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