Tino Sabbatelli Confirms WWE Released Him, Says Canyon Ceman And Matt Bloom Weren’t Happy

Tino Sabbatelli is no longer with WWE.

Fightful Select broke the unfortunate news a couple weeks back that Tino Sabbatelli was released by WWE after a series of cost cutting measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sabbatelli, real name Sabatino Piscitelli, is now speaking out on Dan Matha’s The Drop Podcast.

“I know the news has broke on social media that WWE, NXT and Tino Sabbatelli have parted ways as of now. I haven’t really been on social media about it, I’m letting it all soak in. I had a long talk with (WWE Senior Director of Talent Development) Canyon Ceman and (head trainer) Matt Bloom about the situation. I don’t think they agreed with the situation or were happy with the situation,” Tino said.

When Sabbatelli mentions what he went through, he’s referring to nearly his two-year absence from NXT due to a torn pectoral muscle. He’d just returned in February after 22 months on the shelf.

“They know what I went through to come back. Vince McMahon let go of 40 percent of employees, and I got caught up in that 40 percent. I know I’ve been out two years, but I believe I can bring something special to this industry, so this is not going to be the end-all be all. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity they gave me, but I’m far from being done. That’s the mindset I have. I’m not going to put all my effort into a craft and try to master it, and get these skill sets and throw it to the wayside. It’s something I’m very determined… I understand this is situational, but I don’t think you let a guy like Tino go — in a character presence,” he said, as the former Dan Matha agreed with him.

You can see the full podcast below.