Browsing: Developmental

The WWE developmental system is under fire once again, and this time itâ€s not just about who got cut — itâ€s how and when.

Over the weekend, a batch of talent from WWEâ€s NXT and ID programs were released, including former champions and fresh prospects alike. But what really sparked outrage was the inclusion of Kylie Rae — who is reportedly pregnant.

During the October 12, 2025 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer broke down the situation, with Meltzer not holding back his criticism. The mass cuts, which hit on Friday, October 10, included names like Wes Lee, Stevie Turner, and a wave of lesser-known ID prospects such as Jamar Hampton, BJ Ray, Hayes Jameson, and Summer Sorrell. BodySlam.net confirmed the list also included Drako Knox, Jin Tala, and Zayda Steel — the latter two having already announced their exits last week.

But the Kylie Rae release is the one that raised serious questions. Meltzer pointed out that Rae, age 33, didnâ€t seem like a natural fit for the early-stage WWE ID program — but WWEâ€s decision to cut her while sheâ€s expecting went too far. Meltzer gave it to the audience straight:

“The Kylie Rae one, from an optics standpoint, of course, looks terrible — because sheâ€s pregnant. And, you know, the thing is, itâ€s like… these contracts are very low money. I donâ€t know the exact number, but theyâ€re very, very low.â€

He continued by questioning the need to rush her out of the system given her minimal cost to the company:

“Because the cost is so low, I just felt like… you can let her give birth, give her a couple of months. Donâ€t cut a woman when sheâ€s pregnant. I just think that, you know, when youâ€re a billion-dollar company and youâ€re paying next to nothing — itâ€s just kind of like a bad… it was bad optics that arenâ€t worth it.â€

Meltzer also noted that Rae had been a strong performer in the past, but questioned why WWE signed her to ID in the first place at her age and experience level:

“Sheâ€s 33. Sheâ€s not going to get particularly better in a hurry. Sheâ€s good. Sheâ€s been good. She was good six years ago.â€

Alvarez made it clear this wasnâ€t a money-saving move either. According to him, WWEâ€s cuts are all about performance and fast-tracking potential:

“WWE cuts were not budget related. They have over 130 people in developmental and hire more regularly. If youâ€re not progressing fast enough or they feel you donâ€t have what it takes for main roster, youâ€re out to make room for someone new.â€

Wes Leeâ€s exit was another shocking name on the list. After a standout run in MSK and holding the NXT North American Championship for 269 days — the longest reign in that titleâ€s history — he was let go after nearly a year off with a back injury. Stevie Turner, once pegged as a future leader of WWEâ€s EVOLVE brand, was also cut despite her growing onscreen role.

This entire round of cuts signals WWEâ€s new cutthroat approach to developmental: you either rise fast or get replaced. But in the case of Kylie Rae, many are asking if this “out with the old†policy went too far — and if WWE may be facing a storm of criticism that could have easily been avoided.

WWE hasnâ€t issued a public statement on the situation yet.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

What do you think about WWE releasing Kylie Rae while she’s pregnant? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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WWEâ€s recent wave of developmental cuts may not be the end — and insiders are now warning that more names could be on the chopping block soon.

On Saturday, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that “possible more cuts [are] coming next week,â€following the confirmed exits of several talents from WWEâ€s NXT and ID programs. That initial round of departures hit on Friday, October 10, and included some notable names.

Bodyslam.net confirmed that the list features former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, former EVOLVE General Manager Stevie Turner, Drako Knox, Jamar Hampton, Jin Tala, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, and Brayden “BJ†Ray. Kylie Rae and Zayda Steel had already revealed the week prior that they were also out, as their WWE ID contracts werenâ€t being renewed.

Alvarez also reiterated that budget wasnâ€t the issue behind the cuts. WWEâ€s focus is clearly performance-based.

“WWE cuts were not budget related, they have over 130 people in developmental and hire more regularly,†Alvarez wrote. “If youâ€re not progressing fast enough or they feel you donâ€t have what it takes for main roster, youâ€re out to make room for someone new.â€

Wes Leeâ€s release is especially surprising given his resume. Signed in 2020 after a strong indie run as Dezmond Xavier, Lee found success in WWE as part of MSK, capturing the NXT Tag Team Titles twice. After going solo, he went on to hold the NXT North American Championship for 269 days — the longest reign in the titleâ€s history. He had been off TV since late 2023 with a back injury.

Stevie Turner also had a unique trajectory. After starting in NXT UK, she moved to NXT and was recently named the on-screen GM of the rebranded EVOLVE brand. The rest of the talent pool cut mostly consisted of newer names who had been working within the WWE ID and EVOLVE systems.

The cuts are being described as part of a larger shift in how WWE views its developmental structure — if a talent doesnâ€t show main roster potential quickly, theyâ€re cycled out to make room for the next prospect.

Do you think WWE is too quick to cut developmental talent, or is it smart business? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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