Independent Wrestling Promoter Takes Shot At WWE After Talent Removal

WWE

With two stars removed from an upcoming independent wrestling show, the promoter in question has taken shots at WWE.

It was recently reported that Chazz “Starboy” Hall and Marcus Mathers had been removed from the upcoming PRODUCE: Volume 2 show, having been announced for the pay-per-view event that is set to stream on MyAEW.

Orange Crush, who produce the aforementioned independent show, would take to Twitter to address the decision to remove announced talent from the upcoming show.

In a tweet that didn’t so much “take shots” as aim all cannons to deliver a broadside in the direction of WWE ID as a concept, the tweet reads:

“Just a note on yesterday:

“The point of my announcements was not to name and shame talent.

“It was to highlight the fact they were promised the equivalent of a grant program and were conned into doing scabwork. This should be widely understood.

“PRODUCE exists to serve our fanbase, but as an idea, also as an institutional critique that shines a light on practices that are designed to devalue the talent.

“I’ll take 1000 bullets personally if it brings sunlight to things that will make folks think twice about screwing talent or the fans.

“This will always be the tone. If you want passive viewing, youve got plenty of options.

“- OC”

The “equivalent of a grant program” is no doubt a reference to the WWE ID program, which was launched in October 2024 and is “designed to provide up-and-coming independent wrestlers a pathway to a potential career in WWE.”

Speaking about the decision to withdraw stars from shows airing on MyAEW during the recent Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez stated:

“Seems pretty clear what’s going on here. WWE does not want ID talent on a promotion airing on MyAEW.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Stars signed under a WWE ID deal have featured on Evolve, the Tubi-streamed series, as well as a number heading to NXT.

Navigating The Waters Of WWE ID

Orange Crush went straight to the heart of the matter when it comes to the opinion of WWE ID and its impact on the independent wrestling industry.

It isn’t the first time that WWE ID names have been pulled from independent shows due to “contractual obligations”, with Hall previously taken off a Big Time Wrestling show, and Rourke suffering the same fate at Limitless Wrestling.

While it hasn’t been confirmed that the MyAEW link is the common factor, it is a fact that Limitless Wrestling and PRODUCE Wrestling are both associated with the streaming service.

For the stars signed to WWE ID, being announced for a show and then removed from it must be a frustrating situation to find themselves in, regardless of the outcome. Their professionalism is likely indicate that they will fulfil the first booking they accept, though that can obviously change due to a variety of external pressures.

If the names signed to the development program require sign-off for each booking they accept, it begs the question as to why the “yes” became a “no”. If not such approval exists, it surely leaves talent in an awkward position where they can say “yes” of their own volition, only to have to invoke “contractual obligations” should plans change down the line.

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• wwe id
• Marcus Mathers
• Chazz 'Starboy' Hall
• Produce Wrestling
• Orange Crush
• wwe

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