WWE releases Matt Riddle amidst new TV deal announcement

WWE has released over 20 superstars, including Matt Riddle, Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, and Mustafa Ali, following the announcement of a new TV deal for SmackDown. Riddle, a former UFC fighter, cited behavioral issues as the reason for his release. Ziggler, a former world heavyweight champion, had been with the company for nearly 20 years. Ali's release was surprising as he was scheduled to compete for the NXT North American championship. The cuts come after the launch of TKO, a media conglomerate created by Endeavor that merged WWE and UFC parent company Zuffa.