As first reported by Wrestling News Observer, UFC legend and former challenger to the WWE Universal Championship, Cain Velasquez, has been released from his WWE contract. Velasquez sent shockwaves through the fighting world when he debuted for WWE to square off with his former rival Brock Lesnar during the premiere episode of SmackDown Live on Fox. Their rivalry built to a dream clash at Crown Jewel, where Lesnar would defeat his former cage-fighting colleague in a convincing fashion. Velasquez has been MIA ever since.

Velasquez was signed to a pretty meaty contract, one that has presumably been draining WWE of its finances during these uncertain times. Naturally, he’s found himself on the massive list of staff cuts. It’s a shame considering Cain only managed to wrestle in the one pay-per-view, you’d think WWE would have run his name into the ground with several other marquee matches, especially during WrestleMania season.

Velasquez had reportedly sustained an injury during his first battle with Lesnar, which kept the rematch off the cards for the past few months. Presumably we might have seen a return fight at one of the ‘big four’ events this year, creating a cross-media buzz that would have drawn in some new eyes to the product. But as this news confirms, that’s no longer to be.

Who knows what the future holds for Cain Velasquez and his partnership with WWE, perhaps once things stabilise, we’ll see WWE reach out to the blockbuster attraction once more. Although you’d hope they’d consider some of their previously long-term employees first.