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WWE News: Cain Velasquez Released by WWE Several Weeks Ago, Gerald Brisco Furloughed by WWE

By Matthew Fowler • Published 28th April 2020
TJR Wrestling

The WWE career of Cain Velasquez is apparently over. The former two-time UFC Champion Velasquez was one of the multiple wrestlers released several weeks ago according to Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Radio. Velasquez had a big deal with WWE, but since he wasn’t being used, WWE likely felt like they could release him and save some money in doing so.

Velasquez was originally signed by the WWE for a multi-year deal and even competed for the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar in his first match at WWE Crown Jewel on October 31, 2019. The match with Lesnar only lasted a few minutes however, as Velasquez’s knee was in bad shape and they kept it short with Lesnar winning easily. Velasquez beat Lesnar in UFC, so that was the story used to build it up. Velasquez was victorious with Humberto Carrillo in a tag match against Gallows and Anderson the following month in Mexico City, but has not been seen in WWE since then.

There were rumors that Velasquez was going to return at the Royal Rumble with Cain even hinting at it during interviews, but that didn’t happen.

Velasquez is 37 years old and if he continues in pro wrestling he could work for a AAA in Mexico (where Velasquez wrestled a few times) or perhaps other wrestling promotions may have an interest in him.

It was also reported by Meltzer that WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco was furloughed by WWE meaning he may be brought back when things return back to normal. The 73-year-old Brisco had been an employee of the WWE since 1984, holding multiple positions throughout his tenure. It has been mentioned that Brisco is one of Vince McMahon’s closest allies and trusted advisers, but WWE may want to limit his travel by making a move like this.

Brisco has spent many years of late as a WWE recruiter for amateur wrestlers, so now that there’s no amateur wrestling going on, WWE likely felt like they could furlough Gerald at this point. As Meltzer pointed out on Wrestling Observer Radio, there’s nothing for Brisco to do right now as a scout, but WWE doing a furlough to Brisco was considered a surprise.

On Tuesday morning, Brisco clarified that he has been furloughed as we wrote already.

Matt’s Musings: The list of people affected from the current health crisis continues to grow, but in Cain’s case he was making a big salary and if they weren’t going to use him, then it’s smart for WWE to let him go.