Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez looks to be one-and-done when it comes to the WWE.
Per a report by pro wrestling and MMA reporter Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Velasquez has been cut by the WWE. The move comes as the pro wrestling powerhouse looks to reduce costs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has decimated its ability to rake in revenue from live events.
In recent weeks, there have been a number of releases and furloughs impacting WWE roster members. Other names cut include Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, EC3, Drake Maverick, and Heath Slater.
Velasquez isn’t necessarily a surprise, as aside from a single short match with old UFC rival Brock Lesnar, he’s been nowhere to be found on WWE programming. Velaquez was brought in as part of a feud between Lesnar and Rey Mysterio last year, then lost to Brock at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
Velasquez initially impressed while trying his hand at pro wrestling for Mexican promotion AAA. That led to a number of promotions vying for his services, with WWE winning out. The ex-MMA star reportedly signed a three-year deal. However, issues with his knee that also plagued his fighting days saw him on the sidelines, with the knee being successfully scoped in February according to reports.
Velasquez’s last mention of the WWE on social media came earlier this month, when the company aired its taped-delayed, closed-set WrestleMania 36.
Thank you @WWE for pulling off a epic two night #WrestleMania #Wrestlemania36 event. So proud of my fellow wwe superstars.
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) April 6, 2020
A two-time heavyweight champ in the UFC, Velasquez (14-3) has not fought since a February 2010 knockout loss at the hands of Francis Ngannou.
