I follow maria on twitter and she said she did not ask for her release and that she was dissapointed to not have a chance to compete at wrestlemania again this year.

*runs off to save all the Maria pics from the WWE Divas website*

Too bad none of them are old cronies of Hogan or they'd be on Impact next week.

From a fans perspective I wish Maria could have stayed because I think WWE could have taken the storyline with her and Matt Hardy a little further plus of course she eye candy to. I can't deny that I love looking and watching her. Now I can see a heel turning face possibly Beth Phoenix being the chosen one to replace Maria. Unless they have someone else in mind that is what I see.

With the winner of NXT getting a contract it really doesn't surprise me of Burchill and Helms being released.

Once again the great Kevin Eck is late delivering the news and short on the facts. This from Maria's Twitter account:

'Alright guys let's talk. I did not ask for my release. I was released. I am still going to kick ass in other areas!! I am excited about the future! But I am sad about never getting the Championship. I am sad about not getting the chance to go to Wrestlemania again. Passion is my Motivation! Time to Sing! Time to work for Charity! Time to Dance! Time to be Alive again! Much love to my FANS, my FAMILY, the DIVAS, and my FRIENDS! There is a bright new future when one door closes another opens! Bring on the Doors! Spanks and Kisses'

What does the SunPaper pay you for while letting good, up to date writers go due to budget cuts. You are never timely with your reports and usually short on the details even though you have a background in the 'business'.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Hey Dave, they don't pay me to do a wrestling blog, that's for sure. The blog is something I do on the side (for free) in addition to my 45-50 hour per week job as an assistant sports editor. If you don't like the information that is provided on this blog and the timeliness in which it is provided, feel free to get your wrestling fix from other sources.

I always liked Burchill's pirate gimmick.

So what does this mean for Katie Lea?

Will we be seeing more of this in the coming weeks. There are still 8 or so free agents; including Washing/Atlas, Kozlov, Goldust, Archer, Reks and Saxton...you know, all of the money makers in the wwe.

Getting rid of the Pirate Paul gimmick was a mistake.

FYI, Maria apparently was given no notice, if you believe her word for it:

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/c2e6h

"Alright guys let's talk. I did not ask for my release. I was released. I am still going to kick ass in other areas!! I am excited about the future! But I am sad about never getting the Championship. I am sad about not getting the chance to go to Wrestlemania again. Passion is my Motivation! Time to Sing! Time to work for Charity! Time to Dance! Time to be Alive again! Much love to my FANS, my FAMILY, the DIVAS, and my FRIENDS! There is a bright new future when one door closes another opens! Bring on the Doors! Spanks and Kisses"

http://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/9695999089

"No warning. I found out an hour ago!"

via: http://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis

Well, this is great and horrible news all at once. Helms, Burchell...who cares. BUT, MARIA???????? ZOMG...Maria not in WWE. That is just ludicrous!!!

I'm really not surprised about Helms. I know that others were involved in the drunken incident, but it was report that Helms was the most beligerant one in the whole situation. Burchill was a bit surprising because I always understood that HHH was a big supporter of him. It only goes to show you smarks that Trips doesn't always get his way. Maria was a big surprise because of her upcoming appearance on the Celebrity Apprentice starting in March. Also, her being voted Diva of the Year by the fans. Personally I wouldn't mind also seeing The Big Show, Mark Henry, Primo and Jillian cut from RAW. Matt Hardy, Cryme Time, Curt Hawkins, Funaki, Khali and Michelle McCool from Smakdown. Tyler Reks, Byron Saxton and Savannah from what's left of ECW.

"Releasing" Maria makes sense (and was probably mutual, at the least)—but why immediately prior to "The Apprentice"? I would think all parties involved would have wanted to wait.

Maybe Maria thought she could better capitalize on her fame from Trump's show if she first broke free of the WWE association...?

3 Count .... now there's a blast from the past Kev !

I doubt the WWE will release Matt Hardy, considering that Jeff is going to TNA if his lawsuit goes in his favor. Still, it would be cool to see Shannon Moore and Shane Helms team up there. With the Hardy's on board, they could form a neat faction...perhaps called OMEGA or something.

Why didn't the WWE keep the Pirate Paul gimmick? What I saw looked awesome.

I've never been a fan of Helms.
He was a solid worker back in the early 2000's but as injuries (and the resultant poor conditioning) took their toll he became an average worker who got lucky with 'The Hurricane' character.
His attitude also seemed to be less than ideal as the years passed.

As for Burchill, i've always seem potential in him and hope TNA give him a chance to shine.

As for Maria, she can't work but she has a great, natural look so i'd also like to see her in TNA.

BTW Kev, Maria said today that she didn't ask for her release.

Burchall's gone. What a huge waste.

Good luck in your future endeavours, you won't be missed whatsoever...

For those of you who haven't heard, the only referee whose name has been mentioned on television for the last year or so until recently, Scott Armstrong, was also released.

I´ve never understood why WWE has never given Burchill a push. When they can make someone like Sheamus champion, then ... (I don´t finish I think you´ll get what I want to say.)
Maria said on twitter that she didn´t ask for her release. I find it a little bit strange releasing a Diva who was voted Diva of the Year just two months ago.

Maria's release is not surprising at all. I saw it coming a mile away. Take notice of the pattern of Playboy Divas. They are blown up, then pushed to the ring, and when their pushes fail, then they are shoved to other side projects in order to be a promotion tool for WWE and then when it turns out still nothing can be done to them in-ring wise, they are released. The exact same cycles happened to Hemme, Ashley, Torrie,and now Maria. They always seem to be searching for the next Sable to no use. She didn't seem that into wrestling anyways and even herself stated she wanting to do acting.

Man..I wish these 3 the best...all are entertaining and am really REALLY trying hard not to "future endeavors" line.

Sigh....

Not only is Paul Burchill a skilled wrestler with good size, he can also cut a decent promo. I do not understand how anyone in the WWE can decide to push wrestlers like Kozlov and the Great Khali who can neither wrestle well nor speak well but ignore those wrestlers like Paul Burchill or Charlie Haas who can do both.

While Helms and Burchill aren't shockers, I'm stunned that Maria was released, and almost as stunned that you aren't stunned.

I'm sad they released Maria...I was really looking forward to seeing her at Smackdown in Vegas in March with my 2nd row seats....

Sadness

I will miss the Hurricane! He was always entertaining and put on a good show. I sincerely hope he ends up in TNA. Greg Helms seems like a really nice guy.

Burchill could be a great pick for Ring Of Honor. One more talent WWE never had a clue what to do with...

Helms going to TNA is a no brainer. His friends Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are going to / have signed with TNA. (Maybe his relationship with Velvet Sky can be a problem ? )

Concerning Maria, she's said to try a new carrier as a singer. Good luck . I won't miss her and the so ugly dropkicks of hers !

I think a lot more releases are going to take place in the weeks to come... (referee Scott Armstrong for instance)

Dave:
You're one of those guys who chant "what?", aren't you?

To Dave in particular:

What, is Kevin supposed to go hop on Twitter or Facebook and follow every wrestler he can find just in case they say something he might not be aware of right away?

Please. Be realistic, especially since this blog is not his job.

wow. Maria's release really surprised me. I don't see the reason behind it. She's always been popular and isn't horrible in the ring. Fox, Hall, Kim, Layla, and Lillian are all people I would have thought would be gone first....especially Lillian.

Kevin, do you have any comments on this now that you know she didn't ask for her release?

RESPONSE FROM KE: The fact that she talked openly about wanting to do outside projects -- basically saying that WWE was no longer her first priority -- probably didn't do her any favors. Beyond that, I think WWE looks at most of the divas as replaceable. Let's be honest, WWE won't sell one ticket or PPV because of Maria.

I've always been disappointed in how WWE has never given Burchill a real chance. I think he'd be a good fit in TNA.

Maria? Disposable eye candy.

I always liked Burchill's pirate gimmick too.

Oh Dave, feel free to get your wrestling info from another site.

Dave,
Is your real name Richard Head?

if gregory helms and paul burchill will go to TNA, i'm hoping that burchill will still want to prove that helms is the hurricane.. LOL

I wonder when WWE will release Gail Kim? ..... Next!

It was announced today that Charlie Hass has also been released.

Just ignore Dave and his snark comments, Kevin. I think you a do great job on the Bog and bring a real professionalism to your writing and views. Keep it up!

And, more on topic, I'll miss both Hurricane and Paul. Good workers..

The Hurricane gimmick demonstrated that Greg Helms can be a very useful contributor to a company if he has the right set up and is healthy. He has some charisma and in ring skill but he still needs an interesting gimmick and someone who will believe in him.

He never appeared to get back into top shape after his injury, so perhaps the time off will permit him to do that and reappear elsewhere. The WWE did him no favours with his booking or persona after he came back from his long lay off.

As for Maria, she was an interesting character but never appeared to progress past the "learner" stage as a wrestler. Not everyone is cut out to be a pro wrestler, so there is no shame in not making it big in that regard.

Surely there will be other opportunities for her in the entertainment field in the future.

As for Armstrong, I thought he did a more than credible job as a referee, and was sorry to see him go.

charlie haas was released

all along i thought you were talking about Melina, not Maria. and i was fine with that, where in the world has Melina been?

The best thing bout Maria is that she was the only one who really was nice to the fans. I'd see wreslters bolt when they see fans, but she'd make extra time for them.

Melina is hurt Mike. That's why they had the tournament for her title.

"he became an average worker who got lucky with 'The Hurricane' character."

It may be luck to hit upon a character that resonates with the fans but it's talent that runs with it successfully. Afterall, you can say Terry Bollea was an average worker who got lucky with the Hulk Hogan character.

Surprised about Maria, especially with the Slammy win.
Sad about Burchill, he was good.

WWE should've leave, at least Maria on the show.
They should've fired the Bella "whores" instead. WWE is using them only as some form of prostitutes for every single male guest host on Raw. I don't know why, but their act is somehow really disgusting, especially, in the case of older guest hosts like Cheech and Chong.

WWE just doesnt know how to use talent. I agree with most of you guys, Burchill does have potential. He can work a good match, and he can cut a good promo. Same thing with Charlie Haas. And In my opinion when Hurricaine was simply Gregory Helms he was one of the most entertaining workers in the WWE. It pained me to watch him as Hurricaine. And the truth about Maria is that good wrestler or no, we all love her. Otherwise she wouldnt have won Diva of the year. TNA should pick them all up, and really train Maria. If she became a decent wrestler, she could become bigger than Trish was. But TNA also needs to make a second show. They have to much talent right now, and they keep adding more. They need to have a second show on Thursdays or something.