What To Do After WWE Releases You

Last week we the fans looked on as eight members of the WWE roster were let go in one business day. When releases happen, there are a number of common reactions by the talent themselves. Some of the talent immediately does the “graceful” exit, where they thank WWE for the opportunity and overall experience. Other released talent will say something showing some gratitude, but placing more emphasis on the “next chapter” and where they can now be booked. Other former WWE talent will go the opposite route and start “shooting” about what “actually” happened to cause this, burning bridges immediately.
 
While there is no one proper way to handle a release, here are the things that a newly-released WWE talent can do to make sure that a bright future is ahead for them:

• New Name – Assuming that WWE has claimed all of your intellectual property for the foreseeable future, you’ll be needing a new name as a performer. Did you have a nickname beyond your character’s name? Do a lot of the fans know your real name? Hornswoggle is now Swoggle. Trent Baretta is now Trent? and doing big things in Japan. Luke Gallows was Doc Gallows. Make sure your new name is just legal enough, and then the word “formerly” doesn’t have to appear on flyers.
• Artwork – Presumably WWE owns the logo(s) created for you and the photo(s) taken for you. In turn, it’s time to get some new artwork. This content will be key for your branding, so promoters aren’t using outdated and/or embarrassing photos of you.
• Online Presence – Make sure that some variation of your new name is available for your new social media accounts in some form, and that you can buy a domain that resembles that new name. Your new website — which you can design within the matter of hours via SquareSpace or a comparable discounted service — ought to have the aforementioned artwork.
• Referrals & References – The best way to get a job is through doing great work that gets you noticed. Arguably, the second best way to get a new job is by having friends that recommend you to an employer, client, co-worker, or other person doing hiring. If you have trustworthy friends in TNA, ROH, NJPW or Lucha Underground, don’t be too proud to ask around. If you know indie promoters, see if they have an upcoming show to put you on. If you aren’t so well-liked or well-connected, there are a handful of agents that handle the majority of big name indie talent in the United States.
• Finances – Make sure that all of your finances are in order. Cancel unneeded subscriptions. Get rid of unnecessary costs. Make sure your estimated taxes are paid. If you never formed an LLC or some other form of company, it’s time to do that — just a few hundred bucks through a site like LegalZoom.
• Merchandise – Get some merchandise made. ProWrestlingTees is one site that designs, manufactures and ships the merch out, eliminating a few of the steps that would usually make a thing like that hard. Make sure the merch has your new name and artwork that you have the right to use. Be sure to have merch to sell when you’re making appearances.
• Signings – If you’re an outgoing person, beyond live shows, you can hop onto the convention circuit. Beyond the higher-tier Comic-Con shows out there, there are plenty of horror-themed conventions, and that world is likely to accept wrestlers and other oddball entertainers. Aside from conventions, stores of all sizes need celebrities to help bring in foot traffic, so comic stores, card stores and schools are further options.
• Shoot Videos – If you’re not afraid of talking some smack, then a shoot video may be an option for you. Some wrestlers seemingly do one of these every year (e.g. Kevin Nash), which implies there to be good money out there for shoot videos. But be prepared for your video to be used to bait other wrestlers on their shoot videos, thus creating new tension and other places it may be hard to work.
• Web Series – Some wrestlers have put out web series content after their release (e.g. Brad Maddox, Tyler Reks) to showcase their personality, or at least a side of them that WWE didn’t often show. If you’re entertaining, this is an option to consider as it could show your potential as a comic or a broadcaster, opening up the door for more work.
• E-Book – An e-book can be made for very little, or free if you do the art and layout yourself, and sold online within days. JTG has put out two e-books within the past year, which were essentially shoot videos in a text format. Seeing that many wrestlers have had best-selling books over the years (e.g. Mick Foley, Chris Jericho), there is potential to make some good passive income by putting some stories and/or rants into text.
• Press – On the opposite end of shoot videos, see if you can find a publicist to help get your name out there. If not, see if you know any writers that would like to speak to you. Get your name out there through some coverage that shapes your narrative in a favorable way. A story about a wrestler who was on television for years, who still has a fanbase, is working often and does charity work is a story that could be helpful in the long run.
• Side Hustle – Beyond being a wrestler, see if there’s a side gig that you can do during the week, as most wrestling-related appearances are on weekends. Maybe it’s one of the things mentioned above. Maybe it’s opening up a wrestling school to train young talent. Maybe it’s starting up your own local wrestling promotion. Maybe it’s writing about wrestling for a website or print publication. Whatever it is, it pays to be diversified.
• Acting – Wrestling is always thought of being a sport, since it requires athletics and conditioning — with many notable exceptions, of course — but wrestling also requires acting chops. If you can get an agent, do it and start auditioning for acting roles. If your body is still in good enough shape, maybe you can do stunt gigs. If you were a great in-ring talent, maybe there’s a future in choreographing on-camera fights. You learned how to do things in one-take, which many actors are unable to do, so it’s worth seeing what’s out there within the acting world.