WWE granted the release of three of its Superstars on Friday including Hideo Itami, Tye Dillinger and the company's first Cruiserweight Champion, TJ Perkins.
The news of Itami and Dillinger parting ways with the WWE doesn't come as a surprise, as both superstars were recently reported as having asked for their release. TJP was the bigger shock to fans.
WWE confirmed the releases of all three Superstars via the following statement on its website and various social media channels: WWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP), Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami), and Ron Arneill (Tye Dillinger).
Itami's official release comes almost a month after it was reported that the Japanese superstar asked for, and was granted, his release following the January 29 of 205 Live after he lost to Akira Tozawa and was subsequently written off TV after an attack by former partner, Ariya Daivari.
Dillinger himself took to social media on February 20 to announce that he asked for his release. He didn't, however, say whether his request was granted.
"Before rumors begin to spread, let me set things straight ahead of time. This evening, I requested my release from WWE," Dillinger wrote at the time. "In the past five and a half years with them, I have seen ad one some wonderful things. Things that I am very proud of an will never forget. I have met and have worked with unquestionably, some of the greatest talent on this earth and the pleasure has been all mine."
TJP arrived in WWE in 2016 as part of the Cruiserweight Classic. He would go over the like of Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann and eventually Gran Metalik in the finals to become the first Cruiserweight Champion.
Perkins would drop the title to Brian Kendrick at the 2016 Hell in a Cell pay-per-view and would not pick it up again. His last appearance on WWE television was on the February 19 episode of 205 Live after losing to Humberto Carrillo.
After the news of his release, TJP took to Twitter to thank the promotion for the opportunity.
Thanks for giving me a chance and letting me play for the team I grew up watching 🙏💙❤️💛 https://t.co/r7001mqjx2
— 🇺🇸 TJ Perkins 🇵🇭 (@MegaTJP) February 22, 2019
What do you think of these releases? What do you want to see the three superstars do post-WWE? Let us know in the comments section below.
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