How Long Does WWE Give NXT Talent To “Make It” Before Being Cut?
More WWE stars were recently released.
On October 11, several more WWE Superstars left the company after it was decided not to renew their contracts. Although many of the releases only ever featured on Evolve, one of the more eyebrow-raising exits was that of Wes Lee.
Lee is a former NXT Tag Team Champion and a highly-regarded performer between the ropes.
On the latest episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, NXT commentator Booker T reflected on the releases, and more specifically, the departure of Wes Lee. He explained that while Lee is incredibly talented, he had been in WWE’s developmental system for five years, with no hint that he’d be moved to the main roster.
“Wes Lee is a guy that’s highly, highly talented. I would have thought he would have been safe. But then I think also about what this thing is all about, NXT being a developmental system. When you’ve been in the developmental system five years, and you’re not looked upon as being someone that’s going to make it on the main roster, you could be one of the guys that’s going to get cut.”
WWE Stars Face Race Against The Clock
Booker added that it’s on the talent in question to stay motivated and push forward as they’ve got around two and a half years to find success before the company runs out of patience.
“As far as this developmental system, I would implore guys to think that they got perhaps two, two and a half years at that. So you better be motivated to try to figure out what this thing is all about.”
The veteran went on to give some advice to young NXT stars, telling them to never become complacent or comfortable.
“Don’t cruise. Don’t put it in cruise control, because you can find yourself being one of these guys getting released. The clock is ticking and they’re watching to see if you are one of the guys perhaps that could make it on the main roster and make it to SummerSlam and WrestleMania.”
According to the most recent report on the releases, for WWE it was a matter of cycling out developmental talents whose contracts were coming up, rather than for cost-cutting reasons.
H/t to WrestlingNews.Co
Make TJR Wrestling your choice for news by clicking here.