• Backstage News On Harland & Dakota Kai’s WWE Release
According to Fightful Select, the following 10 NXT 2.0 names were released from WWE today:
– Dakota Kai
– Malcolm Bivens (he chose not to re-sign)
– Blair Baldwin (Referee)
– Sanjana George
– Draco Anthony
– Harland (real name: Parker Boudreaux, who was dubbed by many as the next Brock Lesnar)
– Persia Pirotta
– Raelyn Divine
– Mila Malani
– Dexter Lumis
Bivens posted the following video on his departure:
— MALCOLM (@Malcolmvelli) April 29, 2022
Many fans were shocked to see Harland getting released, because he had a lot of hype surrounding him, with the comparisons to Lesnar as mentioned above.
However, Harland’s lack of in-ring progress resulted in him getting released. Fightful notes that WWE Coaches weren’t happy about Harland’s progress not being up to the mark.
Dakota reportedly saw her release coming. WWE Officials had her work in many dark matches before SmackDown to check her work closely, but she didn’t get called up to the main roster, so she knew they weren’t interested in her.
She made it clear to WWE Officials, just like Malcolm, that she won’t be re-signing when her contract expires.
Also Read: “I’m just waiting on the call” – Former Champion On Returning To WWE TV
WATCH: Carmella Continues Wrestling After Wardrobe Malfunction:
• On This Day In Pro Wrestling History (April 29, 2007) – WWE Backlash 2007
On this day in Pro Wrestling history on April 29, 2007, World Wrestling Entertainment aired ‘Backlash 2007’ LIVE on PPV from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
This was the 9th ever annual Backlash pay-per-view held by the WWF/WWE from 1999 till 2009 and again since 2016.
Here are the results:
World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys (c) defeated Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch
WWE Women’s Championship: Melina (c) defeated Mickie James
WWE United States Championship: Chris Benoit (c) defeated MVP
Handicap – ECW World Championship: Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon & Umaga defeated Bobby Lashley (c) – New Champion: Vince McMahon
Last Man Standing – World Heavyweight Championship: The Undertaker (c) wrestled Batista to a draw
Fatal 4-Way – WWE Championship: John Cena (c) defeated Randy Orton, Edge and Shawn Michaels
