Rumor Roundup: Backstage WWE Reaction To Bray Wyatt’s Release, Braun Strowman, Update, More

3) Backstage Reaction To Bray Wyatt’s Release (Part 1)

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, many people in WWE were shocked by the company releasing Bray Wyatt. This is due to Bray being such a large merchandise seller for the company.

Here is what Johnson wrote:

To say that the reaction within the company was stunned would be a massive understatement given how plugged into licensing the Wyatt character has been in recent years.   The Fiend had been a massive hit for t-shirts and action figures.

One source pointed the finger squarely at WWE President Nick Khan and CFO Kristina Salen, stating that they are so “obsessed” with the company not being even one iota in the red on the financial ledgers that even after the most recent financial quarter, there had to have been a push to cut costs where with previous regimes, there would have been more leniency.   

My Take:

  • I was definitely surprised as well. I figured that Bray would be a WWE-lifer.

2) Bray Wyatt’s Relationship With Vince McMahon

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Bray Wyatt had a “hot and cold” relationship with Vince McMahon behind-the-scenes.

Here is what Johnson wrote:

Others noted that Wyatt and Vince McMahon’s relationship behind the scenes ran very hot and cold at times and that McMahon has given Khan the ability to run things far more than anyone else has historically been able to accomplish, so there was likely less of a push-back over the idea of cutting a big money contract from the ledger. 

My Take:

  • I am sure that Bray wasn’t happy with some of the booking decisions over the years. Both likely had very strong opinions about the booking of the character as well, so I can see them butting heads.

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