According to Sean Ross Sapp, Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar), along with Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, have been released from WWE.
Ellering began managing The Authors of Pain on NXT in 2016. In 2024, he returned to the company with AOP once again, this time as a part of Karrion Kross’ Final Testament faction.
Earlier today, Cedric Alexander got released from WWE as well. He confirmed his release after nearly a decade with the company.
This comes after the news of Duke Hudson’s release broke a few days back.
Alexander, who reportedly signed a new contract last September, now faces a 90-day non-compete clause before he can wrestle elsewhere. He addressed his departure on X, writing:
“Thank you for the last 8 1/2 years! Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine since I could form memories and I will continue to do so till the good Lord says otherwise. #SeeYouIn90.”
The reason for his release remains unclear. Alexander first gained recognition in WWE through the Cruiserweight Classic before moving to 205 Live and later RAW. He received a push in 2019 under Paul Heyman’s tenure as RAW Executive Director, even feuding with AJ Styles for the United States Championship.
In 2020, he became a key member of The Hurt Business alongside Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin. The faction became a fan favorite, and Alexander won the RAW Tag Team Championship during its run. However, after the group disbanded, his WWE appearances were mostly limited to Main Event, house shows, and a brief stint in NXT in 2024.
With his departure, speculation is already growing about a Hurt Business / Hurt Syndicate reunion—this time in AEW.
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