More possible reasons for WWE releasing several wrestlers from the NXT 2.0 brand

As previously noted, WWE released 18 wrestlers from the main roster and NXT on November 4th 2021. It was reported that several wrestlers including Nia Jax were possibly released due to not being vaccinated.

In regards to the releases, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com wrote that “age is also likely a part in many of the decisions because the company is well aware that they don’t have enough talent in their 20s on television and are looking at recruiting bigger, younger and people with more of a legitimate athletic background going forward.” Meltzer added that with WWE looking to draw more 12-34 males, the company has a directive to hire women that are 25 years old or younger. Franky Monet, who is 38 years old, was one of the wrestlers let go.

In addition to age, WWE is also looking to hire people with athletic backgrounds rather than independent wrestlers. During the WWE third quarter earnings call, President Nick Khan commented on WWE’s direction with NXT 2.0…

“We think it’s all starting the way that we wanted it to start. So we wanted a younger, fresher, in-ring approach. We think we have it. You’ve already seen some talent from the new NXT elevated to the main roster. There’s going to be more of that. Our recruiting efforts, which we can go through at a later date, which are spearheaded by Paul Levesque and Bruce Prichard and a number of other folks here, are focused on young athletes who may not, at this moment in time, be in the wrestling space. And we think all of those results will come to fruition in the right way, and that NXT will continue the way it’s already building.” (quote courtesy of F4WOnline.com)