In a new Pro Wrestling Mania blog, Smith Hart
(Natalya Neidhart’s uncle, Bret Hart’s brother) wrote about the releases of
several wrestlers from WWE. Here are highlights:
On the pros and cons of being
released: “I’d like to offer my perspective on this week’s spring
cleaning efforts by WWE. It’s never pleasant for anyone to be fired, especially
from their dream job. Sure, many in the internet wrestling community will
condemn WWE for their booking, politics or choices of who was fired and I know
from a creative perspective many of these talents will have much more creative
freedom now that they are available on the independent circuit. But the negative
is that with WWE being the only viable game in town right now, the ability to
make a living will be much harder without job security.”
On Brodus Clay: ” I take great
pride in the fact that Brodus originally opted for my Cambridge based school to
begin his journey in the business. I have long since thought WWE officials
missed BIG on Brodus Clay. In an era where the only super heavyweights on the
roster include the 42 year old Big Show, the 41 year old Great Khali, the 47
year old Kane and the 43 year old Mark Henry that surely the 33 year old much
healthier and much-more agile Brodus Clay could have been a tremendous asset in
the WWE for years to come. But much like other stars of the past such as
Junkyard Dog, Akeem, Dude Love and Rikishi, rather than promote Brodus as the
monster he was, he was converted into a dancing fool for the kids. For a man
that was at one time the personal bodyguard to Snoop Dogg who is one of the most
prolific gangster rappers on the planet, promoting this monster should have come
with relative ease. Brodus whose real name is George Murdoch is destined for
greatness in Japan.”
On Camacho: “This one was shocking
if for no other reason than he had recently been given a push in NXT. Although
his tenure in WWE was lackluster as the bodyguard for a man primarily perceived
as an enhancement talent, he is the son of WWE legend Haku and perhaps like many
second generation stars could have been given a better look. One Idea I had was
that considering his father’s 2001 return to the WWE came as the tag team
partner of Rikishi, he could have been an often 3rd man in the corner of the
Uso’s themselves 2nd generation sons of Rikishi. The two families have a
long-storied history. With his release, I foresee Camacho ending up in New Japan
tag teaming with his younger brother Tama Tonga. For those that have yet to see
Tama in action, he is himself a tremendously talented young man. Perhaps the 2
may someday return to WWE in the future as a tag team.”
On Evan Bourne: “This one was the
most shocking to me. Evan was one of the most gifted high flyers WWE has ever
had. I remember speaking with Evan at Wrestlemania 26, he also was competing in
Money in the Bank that year and I suggested to him about using his patented
shooting star press off the ladder. He in fact did that evening and I’d argue
that was the highlight of that match. I can`t speak for the current health of
Evan Bourne, but I would venture that with talent like Cesaro, Daniel Bryan,
Tyson Kidd, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose dominating in WWE, it`s almost a shame
to think of all the matches that won’t be able to happen now. I’ve always though
Evan Bourne vs. Antonio Cesaro could have been great for business. Recently I
suggested that perhaps he and Tyson Kidd could have formulated a new tag team
that could have added a new dimension to the current tag team ranks. Evan Bourne
will have no trouble whatsoever finding himself another job in wrestling. I will
even make the bold prediction that he will make a surprise appearance at next
week`s Ring of Honor pay per view.”
