How much was Triple H involved in recent WWE talent layoffs?
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The recent layoffs resulted in several fan favorites being released.
Last week, before SmackDown, news started coming in about multiple talents being released by WWE. While some talent contracts were not renewed, others were laid off. The list included main roster talents as well as talents in the developmental programmes.
Multiple top names, including Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the entire Wyatt Sicks faction, Alba Fyre, Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Motor City Machine Guns, and even massive fan-favorite Kairi Sane, were all part of the roster cuts.
Fans voiced their opinions, especially regarding the release of talents who were being featured on weekly programming and some even competing in matches as recently as during WrestleMania week. During the aftermath, a report from Bodyslam revealed that superstars who were released recently were informed of their departures directly by TKO.
This led many fans to believe that WWE CCO Paul ‘ Triple H’ Levesque didn’t play much of a part in the layoffs and the TKO Group once again excercised their control. However, according to a new report, Levesque is the primary decision maker in the recent layoffs.
Also Read: All WWE superstars released after WrestleMania 42 so far
Triple H holds final authority over roster decisions
According to Dave Meltzer via X, nobody above Triple H has the final say in roster changes. He also compared it to how, in the past, the blame fell on someone else when the decision was made by Vince McMahon.
body above Levesque is saying who to cut. Maybe [WWE President] Nick Khan, maybe not, Ari Emanuel isn’t sitting there saying we have to fire Zelina [Vega] and Kairi.
By and large the decision maker, for good or for bad, here is Paul. It’s like in other years where people blamed this person or that person when the decision was 100 percent Vince [McMahon].
In another tweet responding to fans, he explained it further, stating that there is no chance of TKO ordering who to cut, while they might have an unofficial salary cap, ultimately, Triple H decides how to keep the numbers below the cap.
He also added that WWE’s decision-making is split, noting that WWE President Nick Khan likely controls the overall financial side, including the total salary budget, while Levesque has the final say on roster and personnel decisions, with possible input from others. Metlzer once again compared it to the Vince McMahon era.
“There’s not a chance TKO is ordering who to cut, It is possible they’ve got an unofficial salary cap and Levesque as the manager has to keep the number below that.
Most likely the salary total would be a Khan decision, and as far as the key in the personnel decision, that’s Levesque although Khan having input and others having input is likely. It’s like Vince would consult with a few people but at the end, it was Vince’s call, not evil Jim Ross or evil Johnny Ace or evil JJ Dillon.“
How many talents were released last week?
A total of 24 superstars were included in the list of releases last week.
Was Triple H not involved in the layoffs?
Yes, per Dave Meltzer, nobody above Triple H has the final say in roster changes.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.