Tag: Top Dolla

Mustafa Ali, Dolph Ziggler among WWE talents released amid UFC merger

Elias and Hit Row’s Top Dolla were also among those reportedly released by WWE on Thursday.

When WWE’s merger with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings became official, it resulted in a reduction in the workforce of those who work behind the scenes at WWE. The layoffs at the time did not include talent, but on Thursday morning, that changed with several confirmed departures from the company.

Mustafa Ali was the first to reveal on X that WWE released him, which sparked questions due to his consistent presence on NXT, as he had been scheduled to wrestle Dominik Mysterio for the North American Championship at No Mercy on Sept. 30. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp then reported that talent cuts would take place today, suggesting that Ali’s departure was linked to this.

Emma announced her departure from WWE. Hours before, she tweeted her excitement about WWE going to Perth, Australia for the Elimination Chamber premium live event. The Melbourne native, who was in her second stint with the company, had last wrestled on the July 10 episode of Raw against Shayna Baszler.

Fightful confirmed that WWE released Rick Boogs, who last wrestled on television at SummerSlam in a battle royale.

Aaliyah announced her departure from WWE. Her last match happened on the Sept. 12, 2022, episode of Raw when she and Raquel Rodriguez lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship to Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky.

Fightful reported that WWE released Elias, who had been off television most of this year. His last match came at the May 15 episode of Raw.

Fightful confirmed the WWE departure of Riddick Moss. The former football player most recently wrestled at the Sept. 11 Main Event taping.

Fightful also announced that WWE released Top Dolla of Hit Row. He last wrestled on television on the Aug. 11 episode of SmackDown in a loss to LA Knight.

WWE released Shelton Benjamin, according to Fightful. He had been in his second stint with the company.

Fightful confirmed the departure of former World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler, another long-tenured star.

This afternoon, Fightful also reported an additional round of releases, including Dana Brooke, Mace and Mansoor of Maximum Male Models and Shanky.

Mansoor had perhaps the best post of the day expressing his availability for new work.

We will update this post if more talent confirm their departure from WWE.

WWE SmackDown results 08/11/23: Rey wins gold, Jey superkicks his way out of … WWE?

WWE SmackDown from Calgary will also see Asuka collide with Charlotte Flair.

Calgary, The Bloodline is now in your city. Whatever exactly that means these days.

Could it be everyone who was in the group before except for Jey Uso? It very well could be. It sure feels like Jimmy Uso is back in the fold 100%, considering he sided with Roman Reigns over his own twin brother at SummerSlam.

Then again, are we sure Solo Sikoa is as on-board as he was just a few weeks ago? It’s possible Roman’s victory in Detroit wasn’t as absolute as may like to believe, which will be one of the big things to watch in tonight’s Bloodline segment.

There’s also an intriguing championship match on the card tonight, as Santos Escobar challenges Austin Theory for his United States title. On one hand, this random episode of SmackDown feels like an unusual spot for a switch. But on the other, Theory also seems to be treading water ever since he beat John Cena at WrestleMania, so perhaps a shakeup is exactly what’s required to kickstart both of these performers.

Speaking of shakeups, IYO SKY certainly did one of those by cashing in her MITB briefcase at SummerSlam and making off with the WWE Women’s Championship. Two of the competitors left without the gold, Asuka and Charlotte Flair, will do battle tonight, and you can’t help but think that perhaps SKY or Bianca Blair will be watching closely — or maybe even get involved.

We’re set to take in all the action from Calgary, so let’s jump into it.

WWE SmackDown results from Calgary:

(scroll down for more details on any match or major in-ring segment in bold)

  • Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka goes to no contest as Damage CTRL decides to lay a beating on both women
  • A video replays the highlights of Tribal Combat at SummerSlam
  • Santos Escobar is talking about how he’s feeling confident for his title match tonight when he’s attacked by Austin Theory backstage
  • AJ Styles def. Karrion Kross by pinfall
  • Theory is mock upset about not having the title match tonight, but Rey Mysterio says Escobar will make it out there
  • Edge makes a challenge to Sheamus for next week, which is accepted after some heartwarming stories but with a warning from Sheamus
  • Hulk Hogan turned 70 years old today, who knew?
  • LA Knight def. Top Dolla by pinfall, then gets some mic time
  • Adam Pearce tells Escobar he is technically cleared but wants him to look Pearce in the eye and tell him he can go … which he does
  • Bobby Lashley tells the Street Profits tonight is a celebration of their alliance and how the sky’s the limit
  • Theory attacks Escobar’s already banged up left knee while Santos is making his ring walk, then says Escobar is too weak to compete … but Pearce says they promised Calgary a title match, so Mysterio is taking Escobar’s place
  • Rey Mysterio def. Austin Theory by pinfall to become the new WWE United States Champion
  • What is the future of the Bloodline? One without Jey Uso, apparently