A tumultuous 2021 for WWE 's front office continued this week with the release of Bray Wyatt and the revelation that Adam Cole is working without a contract...
WWE Rumors on Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, Charlotte, Adam Cole and Bray Wyatt's Release
Aug 3, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Ric Flair joins a telecast during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.
Flair Reportedly Voiced Frustration Over Charlotte's Booking
On the heels of news that Hall of Famer Ric Flair had been released from his WWE contract Monday, a new report surfaced regarding Flair's frustration with WWE.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Jason Ounpraseuth), Flair messaged WWE Chairman Vince McMahon about his issues with the way his daughter, Charlotte Flair, was being booked.
Meltzer noted that McMahon made the decision to release Flair from his contract.
On Monday, Fightful and Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com reported that Flair was no longer under contract with WWE after requesting his release.
It was later reported by Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Marc Middleton) that Flair was frustrated with some of WWE's booking decisions and had contacted McMahon about it, and then asked for his release.
On Tuesday, Flair released the following statement on his WWE departure and insisted he isn't upset with WWE:
Flair most recently appeared on WWE programming early this year when he aligned himself with Lacey Evans in a feud with his daughter, Charlotte Flair. That rivalry was called off when Evans announced she was legitimately pregnant.
The Nature Boy had been making sporadic appearances on WWE programming for several years before his release after wrestling for the company from 1991 to 1993 and again from 2001 to 2008.
Charlotte's fiance, Andrade El Idolo, left WWE and signed with AEW this year. Chavo Guerrero is serving as his mouthpiece, and it stands to reason that Ric Flair could be added to the mix.
Having Flair interact with Sting is also a possibility given all the memorable matches and moments they had together in NWA and WCW. That included facing each other in the last match ever on WCW Nitro in 2001.
Since Nitro aired on TNT, which is the current home of AEW Dynamite, a Flair appearance on Dynamite in the near future would make sense for all parties involved.
WWE Officials Reportedly Surprised By Cole's Contract
The fact that Adam Cole's WWE contract is reportedly set to expire this month has apparently taken some within the company by surprise.
According to PWInsider (h/t Middleton), some WWE officials were under the impression that Cole was under contract through at least January 2022.
It was also reported that there was some "frustration" among WWE officials that Cole's contract status became public.
Giri reported Monday that Cole's contract actually expired last month, only for him to sign a short-term extension that will expire in August.
Cole reportedly signed the extension in order to finish his program with Kyle O'Reilly, as they have beaten each other one time apiece. After O'Reilly attacked Cole on NXT last week, it seems likely they will face off again at NXT TakeOver the weekend of SummerSlam.
Given Cole's contract status, it is possible the match could have a loser leaves NXT stipulation. That would either allow Cole to leave the company and sign elsewhere, such as AEW, or he could sign a new deal with WWE and be elevated to the main roster.
Cole has been the face of NXT since signing with WWE in 2017, as he held the NXT Championship for a record 396 days and led the highly successful Undisputed Era stable.
There is no question that Cole would be a huge loss for WWE, and with both CM Punk and Daniel Bryan rumored to be signing with AEW, it could increase WWE's sense of urgency to keep Cole in the fold.
TV Executives Reportedly Frustrated By Wyatt's WWE Release
WWE's decision to release Bray Wyatt last week reportedly didn't sit well with some of those who work for WWE's television partners.
According to Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast (h/t Middleton), there was "a lot of frustration" from the networks working with WWE regarding Wyatt's release. WWE has billion-dollar television deals for Raw and SmackDown with NBC Universal and Fox.
Zarian noted that one network source told him, "Bray's release is really disappointing and a little scary that top stars are being let go."
Wyatt is the latest in a long line of releases since WrestleMania 37 in April, including the likes of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, The IIconics and Mickie James.
Given his status as a two-time universal champion and one-time WWE champion, as well as a mainstay in WWE for the past 12 years, Wyatt is the biggest name and biggest surprise of those cuts.
Wyatt had not been seen on WWE programming since the night after WrestleMania 37 in April, when he took part in a Firefly Funhouse segment on Raw.
The expectation was that Wyatt would be back soon, especially with SummerSlam set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on August 21.
Instead, WWE decided to part ways with Wyatt despite his popularity and that of his Fiend character.
Given how aggressive AEW has been in signing former WWE stars, it is likely that speculation will ramp up regarding Wyatt possibly signing there soon.
If AEW is able to land Punk, Bryan and Wyatt, it may be difficult for WWE to ignore the buzz its main competitor will receive.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
Rumors on Adam Cole's Contract, WWE Morale After Bray Wyatt Release, AEW's Adam Page
Aug 2, 2021
Professional Wrestling: WWE SummerSlam: Bray Wyatt making his entrance before his match vs Finn Balor at Barclays Center.
Brooklyn, NY 8/20/2017
CREDIT: Chad Matthew Carlson (Photo by Chad Matthew Carlson /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X161332 TK1 )
Adam Cole's Contract Set to Expire After SummerSlam
Let the All Elite Wrestling rumors commence.
Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc reported Adam Cole's contract with WWE will expire after SummerSlam on Aug. 21. The deal was originally up after the Great American Bash pay-per-view, but Cole chose to briefly extend his window—ostensibly to either give the two sides more negotiating time or to wrap up his NXT storylines.
Cole is set to face Kyle O'Reilly at TakeOver 36 in a match that's been built as their last head-to-head contest. Having the two go one-on-one for the final time would make a great deal of sense if Cole was planning to leave WWE once his deal expires.
Cole's linkage to AEW is a well-trodden territory. His longtime girlfriend is AEW women's champion Britt Baker, and he has longstanding existing relationships with The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes dating back to their times in Japan and the independent circuit.
There is no question AEW would put out an all-out blitz to sign Cole if he ever became a true free agent.
“It’s no secret he comes to AEW sometimes and hangs out in the back,” Baker said earlier this year on Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette (via Wrestling Inc's Brie Coder). “His best friends are the Bucks and Kenny, so he’s got tons of friends there.”
“I know this is going to create probably a little bit of controversy but I would love to work in the same company one day. I think that would make things a little bit easier. With that being said, I’m probably never leaving AEW because that’s my home.”
WWE Morale Down After Bray Wyatt Release
Bray Wyatt's release was one of the most surprising in recent memory, and it turns out it hit the locker room hard.
Fightful Select reported nearly 20 people in the WWE locker room spoke of their disappointment regarding Wyatt's release. Wyatt was well-liked backstage and viewed as one of the most creative people in the entire company.
Some senior members of the roster said even they felt their jobs are no longer safe.
The fact of the matter is WWE holds 100 percent of the blame for Wyatt not being this generation's Undertaker. He is, as many noted, a wildly creative star who came up with two of the most over gimmicks of this generation—only to have WWE spoil Wyatt's runs with poor booking decisions.
While it's easy to say Wyatt will flourish in an environment like AEW with more creative freedom, it's also possible that his high-budget ideas were only possible because of WWE's massive production budget.
It'll be interesting to see where he lands next.
Hangman Not on All Out Card?
AEW shocked the wrestling world last Wednesday when The Elite defeated Adam Page and the Dark Order, taking Page out of contention for an AEW Championship match with Kenny Omega at All Out.
No one quite knows who Omega will face at the September pay-per-view, but it won't be Page—who reportedly will not be part of the card at all.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported Page is now expected to not feature at all in Chicago, though no reasoning has been given.
AEW has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to long-term booking, but having arguably your top babyface in the entire company sit out the biggest event of the year is surprising.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
WWE NXT moved to Syfy due to Olympic Games coverage on the USA Network for Tuesday's episode, which dealt with massive fallout in the wake of recent events...
WWE NXT changed last week with the arrival of Samoa Joe as William Regal's enforcer. The Samoan Submission Specialist demanded respect from the roster and brought some order to the chaos...
WWE NXT started off its new Tuesday night slot last week with a big show that included surprises, title changes and fresh faces to the black-and-gold brand...
Kyle O'Reilly Beats Adam Cole at WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver
Apr 9, 2021
Kyle O'Reilly beat Adam Cole in a vicious and highly anticipated unsanctioned match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on Thursday.
O'Reilly and Cole weren't afraid to embrace the match stipulation.
Cole and O'Reilly were longtime friends and members of Undisputed Era along with Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong, but things came crashing down at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day in February after the main event between Finn Balor and Pete Dunne.
Undisputed Era saved the Irishman from a post-match attack, and when it seemed like O'Reilly was about to offer Balor entry into the group, Cole shocked the wrestling world by laying out both men with superkicks.
Cole doubled down on his betrayal by attacking O'Reilly on a subsequent episode of NXT and hitting him with a brainbuster onto the steel steps, which put O'Reilly on the shelf for a few weeks.
The former NXT champion further solidified himself as a dastardly heel by feigning regret over what he did to O'Reilly only to use it as an opportunity to hit Strong with a low blow.
O'Reilly finally got some measure of revenge on March 10 during an NXT Championship match between Cole and Balor.
When O'Reilly emerged from the crowd, Cole looked like he had seen a ghost. The distraction allowed Balor to beat Cole and retain the title, while O'Reilly took the opportunity to beat Cole down afterward.
The bad blood continued to boil over over the next few weeks, as O'Reilly tried to run Cole off the road one week and Cole attacked O'Reilly at an MMA gym the next.
With it becoming increasingly clear that they wouldn't stop until a match was booked, NXT general manager William Regal agreed to let them fight at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, but only under unsanctioned rules since O'Reilly had not been medically cleared to compete.
The situation was reminiscent of the fantastic Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa feud of the past, and it had a similar amount of buzz surrounding it entering TakeOver.
Cole and O'Reilly are no strangers to facing each other in a hardcore-style match, as they did it before during their time together in Ring of Honor, and the experience showed.
While O'Reilly scored the first major blow of the rivalry with a win at TakeOver, it has the makings of a feud that will last for a long time to come.
Listen toRing Rust Radiofor all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below(warning: some languageNSFW).
