Who Really Had Final Say Over WWE Releases

WWE recently cut several members of its roster but with the company now under the ownership of TKO, who really made that decision?

Dakota Kai was amongst a host of names let go by WWE on May 2, with the likes of Braun Strowman and Shayna Baszler also shown the exit door.

A number of NXT names were also released at the same time, with the likes of Cora Jade, Dani Palmer, Gallus, and Jakara Jackson now looking to continue their careers elsewhere. Cora Jade wasted no time in revealing her new ring name as NXT talent only have to wait 30 days before they can work elsewhere.

But in a new TKO-owned world, who gets final say on WWE releases?

Paul Levesque Made Call To Cut WWE Talent

Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer made clear that ultimately Paul Levesque is in charge of who is on the WWE roster although he might have been told by higher-ups of a number or dollar amount that needed to be cut:

Paul Levesque made the final call although it is not known if he was told a number that he had to release, a dollar amount that he had to cut in these releases or if it was just all at his discretion. But when you add people, you have to subtract. It’s just basic sports roster decisions.

This is an important distinction, as for years, talent would often blame the Head of Talent Relations, such as Jim Ross or John Laurinaitis, if they were let go rather than the man at the very top who had final say over that decision, Vince McMahon.

Paul Levesque is the Chief Content Officer of WWE, while Nick Khan is the company’s president. Khan serves on the TKO Board of Directors alongside The Rock but Levesque does not.