Cain Velasquez Reportedly Released by WWE This Week

WWE Superstar and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez has reportedly been released by WWE. This according to Dave Meltzer on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. Velasquez has not been used on WWE programming since the Crown Jewel show in Saudi Arabia. That was back in October of 2019.

Cain Velasquez Cut

The former UFC Heavyweight Champion was reportedly released by the company as part of the recent budget cuts. WWE had signed Cain Velasquez to a multi-year deal however these contracts allow the company to release or cut talent at any time. Velasquez joins the recently released likes of Heath Slater, Zack Ryder, Kurt Angle and Rusev.

AAA or AEW?

Meltzer noted during the episode of WON that AAA may be looking to bring Velasquez back into the fold as he was a short term success there before joining WWE. There had been interest from All Elite Wrestling before Cain signed with WWE, so he may be looking to leverage that to get a deal with the Jacksonville based promotion. Although at this time it is unlikely that AEW will be looking to bring in too many talents. With of course live event and merchandising numbers being hit due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The full list of on-air and NXT talents cut now stands as follows:

Drake Maverick
Curt Hawkins
Karl Anderson
Luke Gallows
Heath Slater
Eric Young
EC3
Lio Rush
Erick Rowan
Sarah Logan
Referee Mike Chioda
Erick Rowan
Primo
Epico
Mike Kanellis
Maria Kanellis
Zack Ryder
No Way Jose
Rusev
Cain Velasquez
Deonna Purrazzo
Aleksandar Jaksic
MJ Jenkins
Nick Ogarelli
Taynara Conti
Dan Matha
Cezar Bononi
Mars Wang
Tino Sabbatelli
Mohamed Fahim
Marcos Gomes
Faisal Kurdi
Edgar Lopez
Hussain Aldagal
Yifeng
Kassius Ohno