WWE sacks 21 superstars including Kurt Angle to cut costs amid COVID-19 pandemic

WWE released a number of professional wrestlers on Wednesday as they attempt to cut their budget amid the coronavirus crisis. Hall of Famer Kurt Angle along with Sarah Logan, Aiden English, Erick Rowan, Epico Colon, Primo Colon, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis Zack Ryder, No Way Jose, Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, EC3, Eric Young, Heath Slater, and Lio Rush, was cut by the company.

Anderson and Gallows were both involved in the WrestleMania card earlier this month that largely included taped matches in an empty arena. The moves came even with the company allowed to continue to run live TV shows in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed WWE an essential business. In a statement, WWE wrote that "the implementation of various short-term cost reductions and cash flow improvement actions including" was necessary due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. "Given the uncertainty of the situation, the Company also identified headcount reductions and made the decision to furlough a portion of its workforce effective immediately," the statement read.

Kurt Angle released a statement after he was cut saying, "I wanted [to] say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there."I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can."They're the best fans in the world."On Twitter, fans voiced their displeasure with McMahon and the company and expressed their best wishes to the wrestlers who had suddenly lost their jobs.
 

I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They’re the best fans in the world. #itstrue

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 15, 2020