WWE releases 12 NXT talents, including Bronson Reed, Mercedes Martinez, and Bobby Fish

By Watch Wrestling Online On Aug 7, 2021

According to multiple sources, mainly Fightful and PWInsider, WWE has released 12 talents primarily from the NXT roster.

The following names were released on Friday evening:

— Bobby Fish
— Bronson Reed
— Jake Atlas
— Ari Sterling
— Kona Reeves
— Leon Ruff
— Stephon Smith
— Tyler Rust
— Zechariah Smith
— Asher Hale
— Giant Zanjeer
— Mercedes Martinez

Bronson Reed publicly confirmed his release from the company and tagged AEW, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling in his tweet. Reed signed with WWE in 2019 and held the NXT North American Championship earlier this year.

Just got released from @WWE

This monster is back on the loose … you don’t know WHAT you’ve just done.#WWE

.@AEW .@IMPACTWRESTLING .@njpw1972 .@ringofhonor pic.twitter.com/9h5I2G4L1J

— Bronson Reed (@bronsonreedwwe) August 7, 2021

Another notable name released was Bobby Fish, who for years was part of the highly successful Undisputed ERA stable on NXT. Fish, 44, is a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion. The Undisputed ERA broke up earlier this year and consisted of Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong.

Mercedes Martinez was also released. For a short time, she was called up to the main roster to be part of the short-lived RETRIBUTION stable but was removed after only a few appearances. She had since gone back to the NXT roster and has been out with a concussion following an errant kick from Xia Li on an episode of NXT that legitimately knocked Martinez out.

This continues a large list of talent that has been released by the company since April. Last week, WWE cut Bray Wyatt from their roster. Ric Flair was also released from his contract, reportedly at his own request.

We will continue to follow this story as more becomes available.