NXT Cuts Made For Talent Evaluation and Not Budget

WWE’s latest round of NXT roster cuts raised plenty of questions, but new details suggest the decisions weren’t about saving money.

Bryan Alvarez shared an update with subscribers on X explaining that the recent NXT releases were tied more to performance evaluations than financial reasons. That distinction points to WWE reassessing developmental talent rather than trimming payroll.

After addressing speculation about the reasoning behind the cuts, Alvarez explained that this kind of move happens regularly within WWE’s developmental system.

“The NXT cuts are said to be more talent evaluation cuts as opposed to anything budgetary. This happens pretty frequently.”

The cuts impacted several names across WWE’s developmental system, marking a major shift for multiple performers who were working toward regular television roles. The following talent were released from WWE NXT:

• Tyra Mae Steele
• Carlee Bright
• Sirena Linton
• Tyson DuPont
• Tyriek Igwe
• Chris Island
• Malik Blade
• Trill London
• Andre Chase
• Luca Crucifino

All of the released talent are currently under 30-day non-compete clauses, which are set to expire on May 24.

Additional details surfaced regarding specific names, including Tyra Mae Steele, who entered WWE with significant expectations. Steele, also known as Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock, had previously won WWE’s LFG series and was positioned for a transition to the NXT roster before her push stalled. Dave Meltzer also addressed the situation and pointed to performance concerns as a factor in some of the decisions.

“Steele (Tamyra Mensah-Stock, a 2021 Olympic wrestling gold medalist) had won LFG and was pushed as going to the NXT roster after winning the series, but then only used for a few weeks before being forgotten about. In truth, she did not impress.”

Meltzer also noted unusual timing surrounding the release of Carlee Bright and Sirena Linton, both of whom were actively featured in WWE programming tied to the LFG series.

“Bright and Linton are both on the current season of LFG, meaning they were cut the day before the season started where they were battling for an NXT television push. Bright also just started airing on a commercial for The General Insurance with Rhea Ripley.”

The explanation that these cuts were tied to talent evaluation rather than cost-saving measures sheds new light on how WWE continues to shape its developmental roster.

Do you think WWE made the right call by releasing these NXT talents based on performance, or were some names let go too soon? Leave your thoughts and feedback below.