According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Velasquez is another in a long list of in-ring talent released due to the coronavirus-related layoffs earlier this month. The 37-year-old ends his WWE run with two matches under his belt, one being televised.
WWE fans may remember Velasquez’s debut in the company back in October 2019. Following Brock Lesnar’s defeat of WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Velasquez would appear alongside Rey Mysterio and force “The Beast Incarnate” to flee the ring.
Velasquez defeated Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 in 2010 to win the heavyweight championship. The WWE hoped to capitalize on this rivalry when the two squared off for the WWE Championship at the Crown Jewel show a few weeks after Velasquez’s debut.
Lesnar would force Velasquez to submit with a Kimura Lock after just 88 seconds.
Velasquez’s only other WWE match happened at a November 2019 house show in Mexico where Cain teamed up with Humberto Carrillo to defeat Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
Reports surfaced not long after his defeat to Lesnar that Velasquez was dealing with knee issues and in February, Wrestling Inc reported that the former MMA fighter had his knee scoped and is “feeling completely healthy.” The outlet also reported that Velasquez was training at the Performance Center to prepare for his next match.
Prior to his debut in WWE, Velasquez wrestled briefly for the Mexican promotion AAA. He competed at TripleMania XXVII in August–one of the promotion’s biggest annual shows–and September 2019’s Invading NY show in Madison Square Garden.
On April 15, the WWE announced that it would be making employee cuts and roster releases in a plan to help the promotion make it through the coronavirus pandemic.
While many backstage employees and producers were furloughed, the on-air talent were released from their WWE contracts. Some notable names released include Kurt Angle, Rusev, Drake Maverick, Sarah Logan, and Gallows and Anderson.
In a press release, WWE gave the following statement regarding the cuts: “Given the uncertainty of the situation, the Company also identified headcount reductions and made the decision to furlough a portion of its workforce effective immediately. The decision to furlough versus permanently reduce headcount reflects the fact that the Company currently believes the furlough will be temporary in nature.”
What do you think of Cain Velasquez’s reported release? Where do you think he will show up next? Let us know in the comments section.
