Backstage Reaction to Luca Crusifino’s WWE Release Revealed

Luca Crusifino’s WWE departure didn’t just add another name to the release list — it hit harder backstage than some expected.

Following reports that Crusifino is gone from WWE after his recent run on EVOLVE, a new update has revealed how others in the company are feeling about the situation. Crusifino, who last wrestled on the April 22 episode of EVOLVE, had been transitioning into a new role after previously aligning with the D’Angelo Family in NXT.

Now, according to Sean Ross Sapp, the backstage response to his release has been notably emotional—especially among those who had built relationships with him during his time in WWE. Speaking on the post-SmackDown show on April 25, 2026, Sapp revealed that Crusifino’s exit caught attention internally, with multiple talents reacting to the news.

“Uh, Luca especially—a lot of people were bummed about that. Like a couple people on the main roster as well that he had gotten to know.”

Crusifino originally signed with WWE in 2022 after a tryout, bringing a football background from Duquesne University into the company. He debuted with a lawyer-style character before eventually transitioning into in-ring competition, making his first official match in February 2023 on NXT Level Up. More recently, he had been working EVOLVE as part of WWE’s ongoing talent reshuffling.

Now, he’s just the latest name added to WWE’s latest wave of roster cuts—a stretch that’s already seen multiple talents across NXT, EVOLVE, and the main roster released in a short window. But if the backstage reaction is anything to go by, this isn’t just another quiet exit. It’s one that clearly left an impression on the people he worked with.

Do you think WWE let go of someone the locker room clearly valued, or is this just part of the business during a roster shakeup? Drop your thoughts.

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