On February 7, 2025, the WWE announced the release of several prominent superstars, shaking up the wrestling community. This marked another significant round of cuts within the company, per multiple reports including Fightful Select and PWInsider.
The list of wrestlers affected includes Sonya Deville, Cedric Alexander, Blair Davenport, and the duo known as the Authors of Pain (AOP), along with their longtime manager, Paul Ellering. Among these, Sonya Deville's departure stood out since she had been with WWE since 2015, after her appearance on Tough Enough. Her recent role as the leader of the Pure Fusion Collective and her history as WWE’s first openly gay superstar only added to the shock of her exit.
According to Fightful Select, WWE informed Deville her contract would not be renewed upon its expiration, paving the way for her to enter free agency without any waiting period. This decision came just after she celebrated her ten-year anniversary with the company, recently taking part in the Women's Royal Rumble alongside her stable, raising questions about what led to this abrupt release.
Cedric Alexander, who joined WWE nearly nine years ago, also announced his exit through social media. He expressed gratitude for his time with the company, stating, "Thank you for the last 8 1/2 years! Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine since I could form memories and I will continue to do so till the good Lord says otherwise. #SeeYouIn90.” This quote reflects his immediate freedom to explore opportunities elsewhere due to being under contract when released, meaning he would have to wait 90 days before signing with another promotion.
Blair Davenport, who only had five matches on the main roster, and AOP—containing Akam and Rezar—were also part of the mass releases. AOP initially made waves with their strong presence first within WWE’s NXT division, and their pairing with Karrion Kross and Scarlett in the faction called The Final Testament left fans disappointed when it failed to gain momentum.
Paul Ellering, the legendary manager known for his work with the Road Warriors, was linked with AOP during this recent stint. His release adds to the puzzlement since The Final Testament was heavily anticipated yet did not achieve expected success. Ellering’s past with AOP saw them reach great heights, including becoming NXT Tag Team Champions.
Reportedly, the timing of these releases coincided with the airing of SmackDown, where fans learned of the cuts as the show began. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful provided insights, stating, "WWE sources claim Paul Ellering has been released" and underlining the uncertainty surrounding the entire process.
This wave of departures has rekindled debates about WWE’s talent management strategies. Historically, WWE has gone through cycles of releasing performers who struggle to connect with audiences or have been sidelined for extended periods. Fans have witnessed talents fail to achieve their potential, often due to ineffective booking or lack of screen time.
For Sonya Deville, her exit raises questions. After joining the main roster as part of the Absolution faction alongside Paige and Mandy Rose, she transitioned to multiple roles, including authority figures, but never regained the consistent spotlight. Likewise, Cedric Alexander seemed to struggle to break past the midcard, often being overshadowed by larger storylines.
Through her leadership of the Pure Fusion Collective, Deville attempted to make waves, yet the collective performance has been underwhelming. Wrestling pundit Jason Powell noted the surprising nature of her departure, emphasizing her potential as a competent promo and performer.
Critics have argued about the underutilization of superstars like Blair Davenport and Cedric Alexander upon being called to the main roster; their performances did not match the narratives created during their NXT runs. WWE had major plans for both but failed to provide them the platform they needed to shine.
Factions have become pivotal elements of WWE storytelling, making the disbandment of Deville's group and AOP particularly noteworthy. The upcoming Road to WrestleMania 41 looms with uncertainty, as more releases might still occur based on WWE’s shifting creative direction.
Observers are left speculating whether the departures will lead to additional talent transitions through the door, as the weeks leading up to WrestleMania often see fluctuations. Further updates from credible sources like PWInsider and Fightful Select are anticipated as the fallout continues from this latest round of releases.
The WWE’s recent cuts have not only shaken the foundation of its roster but have also left fans pondering the potential strategies and new faces to emerge as WrestleMania approaches. The next chapter for these released stars remains uncertain, but with the competitive wrestling market, opportunities could be abundant.