UPDATED: According to Pwinsider.com, Sakamoto, who was originally paired with Tensai before being sent back down to developmental, has also been released. He broke into the business under TAKA Michinoku in Japan and was signed by WWE in 2011.

The company has also released developmental Diva Audrey Marie, who was signed in 2011 after being recruited by WWE and trained in the system.

More releases are still expected…

ORIGINAL: According to Pwinsider.com, the WWE is preparing for many new talents to arrive at NXT (upwards of 20 new names have reportedly been signed) by releasing some NXT talent. Today it has been confirmed that Derek Bateman and Briley Pierce have been released

Bateman was signed by WWE in 2007 and was on the final season of NXT online. Pierce is Ryan Nemeth, the younger brother of World champion Dolph Ziggler. He notes on Twitter that, “I guarantee you that was the funniest and most entertaining “you’re released” phone call in history.”

Many have been fearing releases for months, with many fearing that it will be a major blood letting once all of the names have been confirmed.

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