Shawn Michaels Addresses Why WWE Let Drew Gulak & Gable Steveson Go

WWE NXT Head Shawn Michaels has stated that, from his understanding, Drew Gulak and Gable Steveson were let go by WWE earlier this year because the company didn't plan to utilise either of the talents on the main roster and their contracts were expiring.

Michaels did not say if Gulak's departure was related in any way to allegations of sexual misconduct made by Ronda Rousey or accusations that Gulak was a bully.

"From my understanding, nothing on anyone's part other than contracts being up. Certainly, in the place of Drew Gulak. From a company standpoint, there not being anything from a main roster standpoint that they were going to be using him in. In NXT, over the last year and a half to two years, we've been trying to get into the process of keeping it fluid. It's all about getting to the main roster when everything is said and done. In two or three years, if that doesn't happen, we bring other people in or see if we're ready to move on," Michaels said on the pre-NXT Heatwave media call.

"As far as Gable is concerned, he's an incredibly talented guy. It's amazing some of the things he can do. He's a dude who lands on his feet. I wish him luck (in the NFL), and excited to see how that works out. At NXT, we use people to the best of their ability, but from a main roster standpoint, if they feel there is not a place for them, and their contracts are up, from a business standpoint, they choose to move on."

Reports have noted that Gable was released by WWE due to his lack of progression. The Olympic gold medallist has signed with the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

Drew Gulak, meanwhile, has been booked on the indies by Full Impact Pro Wrestling, although the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion remains a very controversial figure.

H/T Fightful