Wrestling Spoilers & Rumors

2008 has been a year of change in the WWE with an abundance of fresh new workers being called up from the developmental territories to appear on our television sets.

However to allow for the emergence of new workers, the WWE had to say goodbye to more than thirty members of its roster. Some came as a surprise, while others were more easy to predict.

Here is a run down of those who have been released from the company during 2008, ranging from Superstars, Divas, Backstage Announcers and even Referees!

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Armando Estrada, Ashley Massaro, Balls Mahoney, Big Daddy V, Bobby Lashley, Braden Walker, Bruce Prichard, Cherry, Chuck Palumbo, Colin Delaney, Dave Taylor, Domino, Elijah Burke, Gene Snitsky, James Curtis, Jonathan Coachman, Kenny Dykstra, Lance Cade, Lena Yada, Mick Foley, Nick Patrick, Nunzio, Paul London, Ric Flair, Robbie & Rory McAllister, Shannon Moore, Stevie Richards, Super Crazy, Torrie Wilson, Trevor Murdoch, Wes Adams, WWE Developmental Departures

Armando Estrada

Released: November 18 2008
Armando Alejandro Estrada debuted in WWE Raw in 2006, portraying a Cuban businessman and the manager of the emerging Umaga.

As Umaga’s manager, Estrada would introduce himself (to the delight of the crowd) and essentially do all of the talking for his client, enhancing Umaga’s character.

He would get more involved with the storylines and even in ring competition - having to face John Cena in a match in December 2006.

In 2007 he was involved in the storyline “the battle of the billionaires”, where he managed Umaga to face Bobby Lashley at Wrestlemania.

In August 2007, he became the General Manager of the ECW brand, where he would begin a feud with Colin Delaney, over his worth of an ECW contract.

When he was replaced by Theodore Long, Etsrada began competing as a full time wrestler, loosing matches to debuting superstars as he desperately tried to win a new contract with the company.

After months of inactivity he was released from his contract, stating on his website that he and the company believed that it was the best move for both.

Ashley Massaro

Released: July 9 2008
Ashley Massaro joined the WWE as the winner of the 2005 Raw Diva Search. After winning the competition, she was quickly placed in a feud against Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson and Victoria.

In 2006 she had a feud with Mickie James which was cut short due to Ashley fracturing her left fibula while being eliminated from a Women’s Battle Royal match on Raw.

She would return alongside Paul London & Brian Kendrick on Smackdown, before appearing on the cover of the February 2007 edition of Playboy.

Her playboy appearance was enough to give her a shot at the Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 23, but she would loose to Melina.

Ashley would then be granted time away from the WWE to participate in the TV show “Survivor” in the later months of 2007. In 2008 she would return to participate in the Playboy Bunnymania Lumberjack match at WrestleMania XXIV and at Backlash.

Ashley was released from her contract in July, a week before the announcement she published that she had asked for he release due to her daughter being unwell.

Balls Mahoney

Released: April 28 2008
Balls Mahoney joined the WWE on a permanent basis in 2006 as the ECW brand was launched. Originally he was due to form a team with Axl Rotten, but that plan was scrapped when Rotten was released for failing to appear at scheduled dates.

Following the WWE V ECW special and One Night Stand pay per view, Balls would only appear on the ECW TV show sporadically, but in time would begin to appear more frequently feuding with Kevin Thorn. At December to Dismember 2006 Balls would defeat Matt Striker.

He would struggle to find himself in any notable feuds or storylines after that until August 2007, where he began to try and win over Kelly Kelly from The Miz, resulting in an on screen “relationship”.

Once Kelly had been moved to the Raw brand that storyline ended, and Balls Mahoney was once again struggled to be utilised. He would appear on Smackdown! in February 2008 against Big Daddy V, but following that no contest he wasn’t seen on WWE TV again before being released.

Big Daddy V

Released: August 8 2008
Big Daddy V has been a part of the WWE roster since 2004 after he re-signed with the company following a four year albescence.

He made his return to the company as Viscera alongside Gangrel to attack the Undertaker, before being moved over to Raw in 2005. His first feud of note would be alongside Trish Stratus against Kane and Lita, where he would change his gimmick to “The World’s Largest Love Machine”, which involved him wearing pyjamas and making overtly sexual gestures in the ring.

The gimmick worked to a degree and he would team up with the fellow like minded “ladies man” Val Venis, challenging for the tag team titles on a number of occasions.

In 2007 he would re appear on the ECW brand as Big Daddy V, Matt Striker’s powerhouse “hired gun” in his feud against The Boogeyman, before forming a tag team with Mark Henry to face The Undertaker & Kane.

After competing in the Elimination Chamber match in No Way Out, he would wrestle just one more time on ECW - loosing a Money in the Bank qualifying match against CM Punk.

Having not appeared on our television screens for a while due to weight issues, he was drafted to the Smackdown brand in the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft, but would not make an appearance on the program.

Bobby Lashley

Released: February 4 2008
Bobby Lashley made his debut towards the end of 2005 on Smackdown and quickly began racking up an impressive string of wins against the likes of Simon Dean and Orlando Jordan.

After appearing at Survivor Series & the Royal Rumble, Lashley would be elevated to a feud against JBL and then later appear at Wrestlemania in the Money in the Bank ladder match.

Lashley’s momentum would continue, with him winning the United States Championship from JBL and see himself moved into the main event picture, where he competed in a fatal four way match which was won by King Booker in October 2006.

In November 2006 he moved to the ECW brand where he would win the ECW World Championship at December to Dismember and later have successful title defenses against The Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Hardcore Holly and Mr. Kennedy.

In 2007 he would be chosen as Donald Trump’s representative in his “Battle of the Billionaires” against Vince McMahon, at Wrestlemania he would beat Umaga, resulting in Lashley feuding with the McMahon’s.

The feud saw him temporally loosing the ECW Championship, before beating McMahon in a street fight at One Night Stand 2007. However having been moved to Raw in the 2007 draft, he would be stripped of the title and would later need extended time away from competition in order to recover from an injury.

Having been reportedly close to a return to the ring, Lashley announced on his official website that he had to due to circumstances beyond his control. These reasons are believed to be due to his relationship with former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall, or his apparent unhappiness with a gimmick that the creative team had in mind for him.

Branden Walker

Released: August 7 2008
Branden Walker is of course more well known as Chris Harris from his time in TNA, where he was one half of the very successful tag team America’s Most Wanted.

Following his release from TNA he announced on his official website that he had signed for the WWE, much to the surprise of many wrestling fans. It would be nearly seven months before he would appear on WWE TV, but when he did, it was under the name of Branden Walker.

Walker would win his first match in ECW, against Armando Estrada. The reception he received much criticism, with him not looking in particularly good shape, and raising doubts if he could become a successful singles competitor. He would wrestle just one more time on ECW, collecting a pinfall victory over James Curtis.

He left the company just one day short of a month having made his debut on television, with the win-loss record of 2 to 0.

Bruce Prichard

Released: December 1 2008
Many of you may not recognise the name Bruce Prichard, but will certainly remember his most famous gimmick: Brother Love!

Brother Love appeared on WWE programming back in 1988, as a smarmy, overly-charismatic “preacher” of “the word of love.” He would host a segment similar to “Piper’s Pit” often berating the likes of Hulk Hogan, while supporting the likes of The Million Dollar Man.

In 1990, he introduced The Undertaker to the WWE audience, and remained his manager for a few months before he sold his contract to Paul Bearer.

He would then appear sporadically in WWE programming, while working as a writer of the television programs. Such rare appearances included the time he and Ted Dibiase introduced Steve Austin as “The Ringmaster” and during the debut episode of Shotgun Saturday Night in 1997.

Bruce Prichard had been a key figure in the backstage writing team and was at one time said to have been one of Vince McMahon’s biggest allies. However it has been noted that Stephanie McMahon had been very negative about him and made the decision to sever the ties between him and the WWE after almost 22 years of working with the company.

Cherry

Released: August 15 2008
Cherry made her debut in January 2007 as the manager of Deuce n Domino, fitting into the 1950’s gimmick perfectly by wearing poodle skirts and roller skates, as well as chewing gum at all times.

Until 2008 she would act solely as the manager of the team, and wouldn’t compete in matches against the other Diva’s on the roster.

However in March she competed in a Swimsuit Contest on Smackdown and would later team up with Michelle McCool to defeat Victoria and Maryse.

Having appeared at Backlash, she was then “dumped” by Deuce and Domino for Maryse in an announcement published on WWE.com. Cherry though would get the better of Maryse, scoring two victories over her, in rare singles appearances by the Diva.

After she was released from her contract, rumours began to surface suggesting that she had been due to the company feeling that she wasn’t thin enough to be a WWE Diva.

Chuck Palumbo

Released: November 4 2008
Chuck Palumbo was in fact one of the few members of the WCW Power Pant training facility to break through into the main roster and have a decent run in the company before its demise. Teaming with Sean O’Haire, he would win the WCW tag team titles on the final episode of Nitro and join the WWE.

After loosing the titles to Kane & The Undertaker, Palumbo would have a stint at OVW, before forming an alliance with Billy Gunn. The tag team would be the cause of controversy, with the pair hinting at a homosexual relationship, having grown to admire each other on camera! In Febuary 2002 the team won the tag team titles, but after loosing the titles, Palumbo would find himself demoted to SmackDown!’s B-show WWE Velocity.

However his fortunes would change somewhat in 2003, where he would become part of the Full Blooded Italians (F.B.I) alongside Nunzio and Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli, feuding with the likes of Los Guerreros and the APA.

Palumbo would work dark matches for the WWE in 2005 and 2006, before rejoining the company with a biker gimmick. The gimmick ensured him a place on Smackdown’s upper mid card until his feud with Jamie Noble over Michelle McCool abruptly ended in early 2008.

Having not been seen on camera for a considerable amount of time, news of Chuck’s release doesn’t surprise many.

Colin Delaney

Released: August 15 2008
Colin Delaney made his debut in December of 2007 loosing against the likes of Big Daddy V, Mark Henry and The Great Khali in a style which was reminiscent of the old “squash matches” which used to be the staple of WWE programming through to the inception of WWE Raw.

Having lost a handicap match to The Miz & John Morrisson, Tommy Dreamer would come to his rescue after the tag team continued their assault. Delaney & Dreamer would form a team themselves to challenge the pair for the Tag Team Championships, but would fail to capture the gold.

Throughout this time Delaney had been playing the role of a free agent of sorts, without a permanent ECW contract, which he earned by defeating the ECW General Manager Armando Estrada in May 2008.

At The Great American Bash, Delaney turned heel by costing his friend Tommy Dreamer his chances of winning the ECW Championship from Mark Henry, which set up an Extreme Rules match between himself and Dreamer. Colin Delaney was easily defeated in that match and would not appear on WWE programming again.

Dave Taylor

Released: April 28 2008
Dave Taylor is a grizzled veteran in the wrestling world having made his debut in the late seventies under the ring name Dave “Rocky” Taylor.

He joined the WWE in January 2006 to work as a trainer Deep South Wrestling (DSW), which was a developmental territory of the company at the time.

However he would be called up to the Smackdown roster in October that year to team up with William Regal, chasing Paul London and Brian Kendrick in the hunt for the WWE Tag Team Championship. The team would compete in the famous four team ladder match at Armageddon that year, which is well remembered by the fans.

After WrestleMania 23, Regal and Taylor began a feud with Kane & The Boogeyman, before once again challenging (unsuccessfully) for the tag team Championships.

When William Regal was drafted to Raw, Dave Taylor would not be seen too much on WWE television apart from when he was used as Drew McIntyre’s advisor for a short period of time before McIntyre was sent to Raw.

Following McIntyre’s move, Dave Taylor went on a leave of absence from WWE television before being released from his contract.

Domino

Released: August 8 2008
Domino made his debut alongside Duece and manager Cherry in January 2007 on the Smackdown brand, the team was of a 1950’s greaser gimmick.

The team would begin their Smackdown career beating lesser known superstars before defeating the Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick in a non-title match.

Having lost a title match to the Champions at No Way Out, Deuce & Domino would capture the gold in April. At Vengeance: Night of Champions, the pair would defend their tag team titles against the veteran team of Sgt. Slaughter and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka.

Having lost the belts against Matt Hardy & MVP in August 2007 the team would struggle to re-establish themselves in the title picture.

This would lead to the team loosing matches on a more regular basis, before the pair brawled in the ring following yet another defeat to sever the partnership. Deuce was moved to Raw as part of the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft, while Domino would not appear on Smackdown again.

Elijah Burke

Released: November 10 2008
Elijah Burke was called up to the Smackdown roster in July 2006 with a mixed martial arts cornerman gimmick alongside the also debuting former MMA fighter Sylvester Terkay.

Burke would have success upon his arrival before moving to the ECW brand in November, gaining a pay per view victory over the FBI at the December To Dismember pay per view.

When Terkay was released, Elijah Burke received a push on the program, leading the ECW “New Breeed” which included Matt Striker and Marcus Cor Von to face the “ECW Originals” such as Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman and Sabu.

Burke & The ECW New Breed would win some and loose some of the encounters with the ECW Originals, but in many of the matches Burke would showcase his credentials of being a future star in the company.

Following the demise of the storyline, Elijah Burke would chase for the ECW Championship, but would fail to capture the gold before he would embark in a short and meaningless mini feud against Smackdown’s Batista.

He would later form an alliance with Shelton Benjamin following his arrival from Raw, but would then disappear from television for a short while before resurfacing on Smackdown after Wrestlemania.

He would have little success in the few appearances he made on Smackdown and was last seen on television in May 2008.

Gene Snitsky

Released: December 11 2008
Gene Snitsky made his debut in the WWE in 2004 and was quickly placed in a feud against Kane after he “accidentally” pushed him onto his onscreen pregnant wife Lita, leading to the death of their unborn baby.

This would set up a match between the pair at Taboo Tuesday, which Snitsky collected a shock victory, leaving Kane choking on his own blood in the middle of the ring.

Following that initial success Snitsky would find himself used primarily to be defeated by the upper midcarders on the Raw roster, before being demoted to just appearing on Sunday Night Heat.

It was during this time he partook in backstage segments where he would admire the likes of Lita and Maria’s feet, which lead to him loosing all of his on screen “menace”.

However things looked like they were on the up for Snitsky in 2007 when he appeared in ECW with a new look, having shaved off his beard, hair and eyebrows, as well as staining his teeth. He found himself at the top of the program, feuding with Rob Van Dam before once again being moved to Raw.

His spell on Raw wasn’t a successful one though, with him once again only being used sporadically on television, not collecting many victories on the way.

James Curtis

Released: August 8 2008
James Curtis initially made his debut in the WWE on Smackdown alongside Idol Stevens as one half Michelle McCool’s “Teachers Pets”.

The team would compete against the likes of Paul London & Brian Kendrick, as well as Jamie Noble & Kid Kash. However after Michelle McCool was injured the team would disband and Curtis would return to OVW.

In OVW he would form a team with Cassidy O’Reilly, capturing the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship and compete in dark matches before WWE TV taping sessions.

He would return to television on the ECW brand in December 2007, loosing to the likes of Kevin Thorn, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin. After a spell of inactivity he would return to ECW in July, loosing to Evan Bourne and then in his last match against Branden Walker.

Jonathan Coachman

Released: May 5 2008
Jonathan Coachman began his WWE career back in 1999 as an interviewer, commentator and presenter, working his way up to being seen as the top of his profession in the company, as well as being trusted to partake in backstage segments with superstars such as the Rock.

In 2003 he began to play more of a “character” in the company, becoming the lackey of Raw general manager Eric Bischoff. He would continue his heel role and alongside Al Snow feud against Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross, before recording a victory (largley due to the assistance of Garrison Cade) against Tajiri at Backlash 2004.

Having hosted the 2004 and 2005 Raw Diva Search competition, he would be added to the Eaw broadcast team, which would lead to him facing Steve Austin at Taboo Tuesday 2005 with Jim Ross’ job on the line.

Things would take a turn for the worse for Coachman though as he was not seen to be talented enough to be the lead announcer on Raw and was replaced by Joey Styles.

In 2006 he would appear in the Royal Rumble match as entrant number seven, being eliminated by The Big Show. He would later become McMahon’s Executive Assistant on Raw, running the show when Vince was not around. He would later become the general manager of Raw until he was removed from the position in favour of William Regal.

At the start of 2008 he joined Michael Cole on the Smackdown announce team, before being replaced by Mick Foley at Backlash.

Kenny Dykstra

Released: November 10 2008
Many may not have recognised Kenny from his debut match for the company in 2003 as Ken Phoenix, where he participated (and lost) in Rodney Mack’s ongoing “5-Minute White Boy Challenge” on Raw.

Following that performance he would sign a development deal with the company and be sent to OVW, where he honed the “Spirit Squad” gimmick - that being a group of male cheerleaders.

The gimmick was seen as good enough to be called up to the Raw roster in 2006, where he alongside the other members of the group would quickly establish themselves in the upper regions of the programming, even capturing the tag team titles from Kane & The Big Show, before embarking in a feud against Triple H & Shawn Michaels (DX).

Unfortunately for Kenny though, the Spirit Squad had run its course and Kenny had to try and make a name for himself as a solo competitor. He got of to a good start, aligning himself for a short time with Edge & Randy Orton, before forming a tag team with Johnny Nitro.

In July 2007 Kenny was switched to Smackdown as of the Supplemental Draft where he had little success and even formed an on-screen relationship with Victoria - which did little to help his character.

Having missed the first half of 2008 with a leave of absence, he would return to his loosing ways once more. Kenny was said to have had a bad attitude backstage, which hindered the young man’s career, although many insiders firmly believe that in time he will be re-hired by the company.

Lance Cade

Released: October14 2008
In 2004, Lance Cade in a mid-card tag team alongside Mark Jindrak who participating unsuccessfully at Wrestlemania 20. Shortly afterwards Mark Jindrak was drafted to Smackdown and Cade briefly teamed with Jonathan Coachman, but was taken off WWE TV due to a knee injury in July 2004.

In 2005, Lance Cade made his return to WWE TV with a new tag team partner, Trevor Murdoch, playing the role of a smooth-talking cowboy.

The team proved to be a success, defeating the then tag team champions Hurricane and Rosey at Unforgiven 2005, before loosing the titles to Kane and The Big Show at Taboo Tuesday.

After a series of defeats, the tag team went their separate ways before reforming in May 2006, entering a feud with the also re-united team of Shawn Michaels and Triple H.

Cade & Murdoch would then enter a program with the Hardys, were they would win the tag team championship for a second time, before loosing the titles on the Raw XV anniversary show against Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes.

In April 2008, Cade would turn on his tag team partner, leading to a feud in which Cade was the victor.

Following the feud Cade found himself propelled to the higher regions of the roster, forming an alliance with Chris Jericho, assisting him with his feud with Shawn Michaels. After a stint away from the ring due to a broken nose, Lance Cade would return to feud alongside Chris Jericho, even scoring a pin fall against Shawn Michaels.

Lena Yada

Released: November 10 2008
In 2005 Lena Yada tried to get her break in the WWE by entering the annual Diva search competition, all was going well at first, but she was eliminated from the competition having made the top thirty.

In 2007 she tried her chances once more and finished third in the same competition, which was enough for her to be offered a contract by the company.

Throughout most of the year she spent working for the company, she either worked on camera as a backstage interviewer, while spending a lot of time doing charity events for the company.

The decision to sign Lena was thought to have been a strange one, with Yeda reportedly making it clear that she was not prepared to wrestle, unlike many of the previous contestants in the Diva Search competition.

Despite this, she would be sent to FCW to develop her in ring skills, and even competed in a few matches, but is said to have struggled to get to grips with the craft - which may well have been due to her reported lack of enthusiasm for the profession.

Due to the the WWE’s decision to cut down their operational costs, she was released from her contract as she must have been seen as expendable.

Mick Foley

Released: September 1 2008
Mick Foley enjoyed a superb career in the WWE in the mid nineties portraying the characters Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love before retiring from full time competition in 2000.

Since then he has appeared and competed in the WWE sporadically, often making a few appearances each year in and around pay per view events.

Having being “fired” on screen by Vince McMahon to save Melina in 2006, Foley returned to WWE programming in 2007 to partake in a Championship match at Vengance involving Randy Orton, King Booker, and Bobby Lashley.

A month later Foley would again get involved on WWE programming, acting as a helper for Hornswoggle in his feud with Jonathan Coachman and later earning a spot in the 2008 Royal Rumble.

Foley became the new colour commentator for Smackdown in April 2008, replacing Jonathan Coachman. He would work solely as a commentator before he was attacked by Edge during the run up to Summerslam while he tried to “motivate” the rated R superstar.

He would then be replaced by Tazz on the broadcast team and allow his contract to expire due to him feeling that “creatively the job was not working out”.

Nick Patrick

Released: August 8 2008
Nick Patrick has enjoyed a long and successful career as a wrestling manager, initially in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and later WCW.

When WCW was bought by the WWE, he would become the senior referee for the Alliance, and had a match against Earl Hebner at the Invasion pay per view of 2001.

Patrick would continue to play the heel role as an official, refusing to count pinfall victories for the likes of The Rock in championship matches.

Following the demise of the Invasion storyline Patrick would be used as a neutral referee on the Smackdown brand and at ECW One Night Stand 2006 until he left the brand in 2007 to officiate matches in the new developmental federation, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

He would return to officiating on Smackdown for a brief period in February 2008, before being released from his contract following several months of inactivity.

Nunzio

Released: August 8 2008
Nunzio joined the WWE in 2002 and quickly teamed with Jamie Noble to feud with Crash Holly, before Nunzio would be part of the reformed group “The Full Blooded Italians”. The team, which also comprised of Johnny “The Bull” Stamboli and Chuck Palumbo had little success and soon disbanded.

Nunzio would compete primarily in the Crusierweight division, but would make an appearance as Little Guido in ECW One Night Stand 2005.

He would win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Paul London in August 2005, and begin to team with Vito to feud against the “Mexicools” - a team comprising of Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis and Super Crazy.

When the ECW brand launched in 2006, Nunzio would switch from Smackdown and team with Tony Mamaluke and Trinity as the F.B.I.

However following Mamaluke & Trinity’s release from the company Nunzio only appeared on television programs spariingly, loosing to the likes of Tommy Dreamer, Jamie Noble and Kenny Dysktra.

Having not won a singles match on television for over two years he was released from his contract in August.

Paul London

Released: November 7 2008
Paul London was “the” name on the independents across the USA when he arrived in the WWE in 2003. He would team with Brian Kendrick and Billy Kidman upon joining the Smackdown brand, defeating the Dudley Boys to win the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2004.

When he and Kidman went their separate ways, London would challenge for the Cruiserweight Title and defeat Chavo Guerrero for it in 2005.

Paul London’s biggest era of success though in the WWE would come when he would re-unite with Brian Kendrick upon his return to the federation. Together the duo would gain momentum and beat the team of Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury for the titles at Judgment Day 2006.

London & Kendrick would surpass the record held by MNM as champions of 145 days, but would then begin a loosing streak, dropping the belts to Deuce ‘n Domino.

Following reports of backstage unrest, the team were drafted to Raw in the 2007 Supplemental Draft, following a winning start against The World’s Greatest Tag Team and Cade & Murdoch, the team would then only make occasional appearances with very little success.

Following some time away from the television cameras, the team “re-united” on air in March 2008 and collected a victory over the then tag team Champions Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes in a non title match. That was a false dawning though and the duo would once again not be used on a regular basis.

With Brian Kendrick drafted to Smackdown during the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft, the future looked bleak for Paul London, with many feeling that London’s release was just a matter of time.

Ric Flair

Released: March 30 2008
The name Ric Flair has been synonymous with professional wrestling since he made his debut in 1972. He was a key figure in the old NWA and WCW, as well as having a short and successful spell in the WWE in the early ninties.

However all good things had to come to an end and when Vince McMahon announced that when Ric Flair lost his next match he would be forced to retire in November 2007, many speculated when that day would come.

Flair had been in the WWE since 2001, when he became the “co-owner” of the WWE having bought all of the stock owned by Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Flair would initially feud with Vince McMahon and later The Undertaker in 2002. In 2003 Flair was a prominent figure in the heel stable “Evolution”, where he and Triple H helped to propel the careers of the emerging Randy Orton and Batista.

It was fitting that his final match would be at WrestleMania XXIV, just one day after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his close friend Triple H.

In an emotional night at Wrestlemania, Flair would loose to Shawn Michaels to signal the end of the most illustrious career in the history of the profession.

Robbie & Rory McAllister

Released: August 15 2008
The Highlanders made their debut on the Raw brand in July 2006, getting off to a winning start against Rob Conway and Matt Striker. Having gained a few victories, the duo were fast tracked into a feud against the then Tag Team Champions The Spirit Squad. After a few unsuccessful attempts, including a loss at the Unforgiven pay per view the team found themselves demoted to appearing mainly on WWE Heat.

For the first half of 2007 Robbie and Rory would mainly compete in solo matches and most often finish up on the loosing side. They did get a mini push later in the year, claiming they were being held back by the company and attacking Paul London & Brian Kendrick.

However nothing would come of this heel turn and they would return to competing on heat before Rory tore his pectoral muscle in February and was sidelined for six months.

Upon their return to Raw, the team lost to Cryme Tyme - which would be their last before their release from the company.

Shannon Moore

Released: August 8 2008
Shannon Moore initially signed for the WWE back in 2001 when his contract was acquired as part of the purchase of WCW. He would make his debut in 2002 on the “B shows” before competing in the cruiserweight division alongside Matt Hardy in 2003.

He would be released in 2005 and resurface in TNA as the “Prince of Punk” - a gimmick which he had begun to use shortly before he was released from the WWE.

Shannon Moore would rejoin the WWE as part the ECW brand as “The Reject” while still being dressed in his “Prince Of Punk” attire. He would have a brief feud with CM Punk where he would be the looser and then only make sporadic, loosing appearances.

In 2007 he suddenly switched to the Smackdown band and would compete in the Cruiserweight Division. In June, he changed his look to move away from the “Punk” attire and changed his hair to a similar style in 2003. With his new look he formed a fairly successful team with Jimmy Wang Yang, earning Title Shots against The Miz & John Morrison on numerous occasions, but failed to capture the gold.

Stevie Richards

Released: August 15 2008
Stevie Richards first made his WWE debut in August 1999 and quickly began impersonating current superstars in a similar fashion to which he did for a time in ECW. During this time he would dress as the Acolytes, The Dudleys and Dude Love amongst many.

Following a stint on the tertiary shows (Jakk’ed and Metal), Richards would return with a new look and character - condemning the content of the programming and forming the Right to Censor.

The Right to Censor was a top heel stable in the company, recruiting the Godfather (Goodfather) and Val Venis, feuding against the likes of Chyna and Eddie Guerrero.

The stable disbanded shortly before the Invasion storyline began, which meant that Stevie was demoted to the “B” shows once again.

In 2002 he formed an alliance was Victoria, helping her retain he WWE Women’s Championship, before he became the self proclaimed “General Manager” of “Stevie Night Heat” (Sunday Night Heat).

In 2005 he would gain some more television time as the leader of the Blue World Order, alongside the Blue Meanie and Super Nova, before joining the newly formed ECW brand in 2006.

Richards would turn heel in the ECW brand after double crossing the other ECW Originals and siding with the newer stars, but due to the crowd reactions he was receiving, he would once again side with the likes of Tommy Dreamer.

He would need five months away from active competition due to throat surgery and after that fail to gain any real momentum in the company, loosing his last match against “The” Brian Kendrick.

Super Crazy

Released: November 5 2008
Following a good reception at the ECW One Night Stand pay per view in 2005, Super Crazy signed a permanent deal with the WWE and would compete in the Smackdown brand.

He would team with Psicosis and Juventud as The Mexicools, a team which played on the stereotype of Mexicans living in America, who rode lawnmowers to the ring and wore matching overalls.

Their initial feud was against the Blue World Order, with the Mexicools collecting a victory at The Great American Bash in 2005.

Following the disbantion of the trio, Super Crazy began competing in singles matches, mainly on WWE Velocity, although he did compete at ECW One Night Stand 2006.

Following some time away from WWE programming, Super Crazy would resurface on Raw, feuding with Chris Masters and even getting a shot at the Intercontinental Championship, before becoming a mainstay on WWE Heat.

It was on Heat he would form a tag team with Jim Duggan, enjoying moderate success, competing against the likes of the Highlanders.

As part of the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft, Super Crazy was drafted to the ECW brand, often teaming with fan favourites Evan Bourne & Tommy Dreamer.

The switch to ECW did little to help him appear on television on a regular basis though and it is believed that he was granted his release due to him being unhappy with his place in the company.

Torrie Wilson

Released: May 8 2008
Torrie Wilson made here debut in the WWE back in June 2001 as part of the Invasion storyline. When she arrived on WWE programming, she often teamed with fellow WCW performer Stacy Keibler, while being Vince McMahon’s latest affiar!

Later on in the Invasion storyline she would become a firm favourite with the audience due to her on-screen romance with Tajiri, which resulted in her feuding with Stacy Keibler, which was settled in a lingerie match at the No Mercy pay per view that year.

When the WWE split its roster into Brands, Torrie was drafted to Smackdown where her relationship with Tajiri began to disintegrate, with her being mistreated and forced to wear a geisha outfit at ringside!

In 2003 Torrie Wilson embarked on possibly her biggest profile storyline when she feuded with Dawn Marie for around nine months, during the storyline Marie married Torrie’s father (and caused his death due to having rigorous sex numerous times in succession on their honeymoon), as well as attempting to get her lustful hands on Miss Wilson!

In May that year Torrie appeared on the front cover of Playboy magazine, which sparked a return of Sable, who had appeared in the publication in 1999. The pair would begin as friends, but would ultimately feud.

Following the feud with Sable, Torrie would struggle to be involved in any real concrete storylines until she moved to Raw in 2005, aligning her self with Candice Michelle to feud against the then Diva search winner Ashley Massaro and Trish Stratus.

She would then take some time away to tend to some personal issues, before beginning an on-screen relationship with Carlito, acting as his girlfriend.

This would end when she was drafted to Smackdown in 2007 and embarked in a very brief feud with Krissy Vaine. Torrie though would require some extended time off from in ring competition from November 2007 to attempt to recover from a long term back injury, but she wouldn’t appear on WWE programming again.

Trevor Murdoch

Released: July 3 2008

Trevor Murdoch made his debut for the WWE in 2005 as the tag team partner of Lance Cade, portraying an angry Southern Redneck.

The team got off to a great start, defeating the tag team Champions Rosey & The Hurricane in a non title match on their debuts. At the Unforgiven pay per view that year they would win the belts, but quickly loose them to The Big Show and Kane at Taboo Tuesday.

Following a few defeats, the team would go their separate ways and Murdoch would try and develop his character by reviewing newly released movies online such as Brokeback Mountain, King Kong, and Hostel. The first two movie reviews displayed various sexual habits, while the third showed cruelty in his past - with the intention of converting that he believes “city folk” have quite an easy life, as opposed to his.

However this angle was abruptly dropped and Cade & Murdoch were reunited to feud against D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) and later against The Hardys. During this run the team would win the tag team belts from The Hardys and would defend them until they lost to Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly at the Raw XV Anniversary show.

In April 2008 Murdoch began to develop a country singing gimmick, which signalled the end of his partnership with Lance Cade. He would finish the looser in the matches between the former tag team partners and was moved to Smackdown in the Supplemental Draft, but failed to make his debut on the brand.

Wes Adams

Released: August 15 2008
Wes Adams was working as a referee on the ECW brand until he was reportedly made a scape goat by the company over a mistake in a main event match on television. During the match between John Morrison & The Miz vs. Mark Henry & Matt Hardy, The Miz was supposed to save Morrison from being pinned but missed his cue to break up a pinfall attempt. Adams counted the pinfall which was not the scripted finish and that was said to be enough to see him released from the company.
This reportedly upset many backstage officials, who believed that it was not Adams’ fault and he had only been following instructions to count the wrestlers out while their shoulders are on the matt.
Wes Adams had a reputation in WWE for getting to the shows early, and staying late as well!

WWE Developmental Departures

If you were not aware, the WWE signs an extraordinary amount of talent to developmental deals in the hope of unearthing and developing the next big Superstar.

Where the likes of Kofi Kingston, Ted Dibiase Jr, Manu and Nattie Neidhart have been called up to the main roster this year, the below list have all been released from their contracts:

Ace Steel, Al Snow (former developmental trainer in OVW), Antoni Polaski, “Campus Legend” Brad Allen, Charles Evans, Chet The Jet, Chris Gray, Derrick Neikirk, Germán Figueroa (former TNA wrestler Apolo), G-Rilla, Imani Lee, Jamie Tucker (referee), Kassidy James, Matt O’Neal, Mike Jarvi, Mike Mondo, Ryan Bishop (former football player that got cut one month into his wrestling training), Shawn Osborne, Silas Young and Tommy Taylor