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After the recent consolidation under the TKO Group, WWE made the difficult decision on Thursday to part ways with a diverse range of talent. These cuts spanned from seasoned veterans such as Dolph Ziggler and Shelton Benjamin to budding stars from the developmental arena, like Dabbo-Kato and Yulisa Leon.
Aliyah, once the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, was one of the prominent names from the main roster to be released. Having committed eight years to the WWE brand, she began her journey at the WWE Performance Center and later transitioned to the black and gold brand.
Although she was promoted to the spotlight of SmackDown in 2021, her on-screen presence remained limited. As per sources at Fightful Select, Aliyah's storyline incorporation had been on the back burner for over a year. Notably, there weren’t any indications of her facing injuries; she was simply not viewed as a primary television fit.
Shanky's Unexpected Exit
On the international front, Shanky, an imposing figure from India, also saw his WWE tenure come to an end. This was particularly surprising for many, given his recent showcase during the Superstar Spectacle event held in his homeland.
However, Fightful's analysis suggests that Shanky's in-ring development wasn't aligning with WWE’s expectations. Moreover, he wasn’t positioned as an integral member of the revamped Indus Sher, and there were no evident strategic plans for him under the guidance of Paul "Triple H" Levesque.
On a positive note, Shanky was reportedly a well-respected figure within the WWE community. Lastly, from WWE’s NXT developmental brand, Quincy Elliot found himself on the list of releases. Multiple sources have highlighted his involvement in several social media controversies, which presumably did not sit well with the WWE management.
Furthermore, coaching feedback hinted at a lack of progression in Elliot's in-ring abilities, suggesting he wasn't keeping pace with the developmental benchmarks set by the company. As the wrestling world continues to evolve, these talents may find new arenas to showcase their abilities. Only time will reveal what’s next for these former WWE superstars.
