— WWE released multiple talent on Friday with Cedric Alexander, Sonya Deville, The Authors of Pain, Paul Ellering and Blair Davenport all being informed that they were either released or that their contracts were not going to be renewed.

— Fightfulselect.com reported that the calls to the talent informing them of WWE’s decision started around the time Smackdown went on air. The report adds that as it pertains to the AOP, the duo came back to WE with “a bit of heat” on them from within the industry after investing in the team and not getting it back. One theory is that it could be a reason WWE put them with Karrion Kross, who is generally well liked. Their release, along with Ellering, did not come as a huge surprise given that WWE barely featured them on TV with Kross and didn’t seem to have any plans for them after their feud with the Wyatts wrapped up.

— Sonya Deville meanwhile was not released but was told that her contract would not be extended after it expires later this month, according to pwinsiderelite.com. She would be eligible for free agency as soon as her deal expires, meaning she will be free and clear to sign with any other wrestling promotion and have no non-compete clause in effect.

— Cedric Alexander, as reported before, was released well ahead of his contract end date and will have to wait 90 days before he can sign elsewhere. Fightful reported that there is a belief that members of the Hurt Syndicate will push for AEW to sign him once he is legally free from his WWE contract.

— Blair Davenport was also released. She spent a number of years in WWE’s NXT UK and NXT brands before being called up to Smackdown last year, however was rarely used and WWE also had no creative plans for her. She is expected to draw considerate from promotions internationally.