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WWE Releases Billie Kay And Mickie James Amid ‘Spring Cleaning’

WWE Releases Billie Kay And Mickie James Amid ‘Spring Cleaning’

Posted: Apr 15th 2021 By: Alfred Konuwa - Forbes.com

WWE has released Billie Kay and Mickie James as the promotion continues to enact cost-cutting measures despite record-setting profits. Former Raw announcer Samoa Joe, Bo Dallas, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto and Wesley Blake have reportedly been released as well.

This could be the first of many releases as WWE insider Twitter account @WrestleVotes sent a grim tweet that “spring cleaning” season was underway.

WWE has historically made cuts following WrestleMania weekend as the promotion begins its new season, there are certainly noteworthy names on this unenviable list. Samoa Joe is a particular surprise as a release since he had been a fixture on Monday nights as an announcer, and was a featured broadcaster as recently as WrestleMania 37.

Kay was sent to SmackDown after the unceremonious split of The IIconics alongside her real-life best friend Peyton Royce. Though plans reportedly called for Royce to become a breakout singles star, it was Kay who found a niche as a midcard comedy character peddling around her resume. Royce, who cut a spirited promo on Raw Talk before losing to Asuka in a March 22 match on Raw, has since floundered on her own.

The resume gimmick makes her real-life firing something of a cruel irony that is rife for snarky Twitter humor.

Mickie James seemed to be forced into retirement after an awkward Raw Women’s Championship match against Asuka where the referee prematurely called for the bell, much to James’ chagrin. James was subsequently slotted in a “legends” role for the most recent Raw Legend’s Night.

James and newcomer Chelsea Green had been doing a social media storyline inspired by James’ crazed fan gimmick opposite Trish Stratus that launched her into super stardom. James has been vocal about the double standard of women retiring in WWE.

“In this industry once you hit 35 it’s perceived you should start wrapping it up and retire as a women,” said James in a March 14 tweet in response to Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie, 37, debuted as Franky Monet on WWE NXT this past Tuesday.

WWE reported a record Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization in its 2020 earnings report, with $286.2 million. Unfortunately, part of WWE’s record-setting formula has been cutting costs to maximize profits, and for WWE, “spring cleaning” is a necessary evil.

 

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  • 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
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  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
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  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
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  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
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  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
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  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
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  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles
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