# @wrestlingnewsco on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXxFzPqGuor
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64836134-wrestlingnewsco-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f474452a53.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-30T19:10:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Wrestling News - WWE, AEW (@wrestlingnewsco) — https://gondola.cc/wrestlingnewsco

## Caption

Per Mike Johnson of PWInsider, a new theory is making the rounds among WWE talent regarding the recent post-WrestleMania 42 releases, and it points to someone within TKO leadership reportedly not being a fan of darker, supernatural characters.

A fan asked Johnson during his daily Q&A whether there was a pattern in the talent that was released, specifically pointing to the dark and "spooky" characters who were among those cut.

"I don't know if there's a pattern, but I can tell you there's been a story bouncing around among talents that someone in the TKO realm isn't a fan of the darker characters, and that's been the blame placed on why The Wyatts, Aleister Black, Zelina, etc. were all cut."

Johnson noted that he could not verify whether the theory is accurate, but that he has heard it repeatedly from multiple sources.

"One person even suggested to me that Undertaker being The American Badass and not The Deadman in appearances is proof of that outlook. I have no way to prove that is correct, but the story has made the rounds this past week among numerous people we've spoken with. Whether there is something to it, or just assumptions, I can't verify at this juncture. I guess we will see if and when WWE leans back into supernatural and dark characters again."

The releases referenced in the theory include the entire Wyatt Sicks faction (Bo Dallas as Uncle Howdy, Joe Gacy as Mercy the Buzzard, Dexter Lumis as Huskus the Pigboy, Erick Rowan as Ramblin' Rabbit, and Nikki Cross as Abby the Witch), Aleister Black, and Zelina Vega.

Approximately 25 WWE talents were released in a sweeping post-WrestleMania 42 roster reset on April 24.

#WWE #TKO #WyattSicks #AleisterBlack #ZelinaVega

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## Tags

wyattsicks, aleisterblack, zelinavega, tko, wwe

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