In a new update on the WWE and Florida Championship Wrestling situation that has been making the rounds since last night’s edition of WWE RAW, all talent have been training and working at the developmental territory today and nothing was said to them regarding a potential move out of Florida to Stamford, Connecticut.
In contacting Florida Championship Wrestling President Steve Keirn earlier today, I received the following response.
“Thanks for the kind message. To put an immediate end to all of what is floating about right now, there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Florida Championship Wrestling is shutting down and relocating to Stamford, Connecticut. All talent were training today in Tampa, Florida and over the course of the week the WWE will respond to the matter to clear things up, thanks for your concern on this subject. SK”
The news surprised a lot of people within the company as well as fans last night when it first broke, with some people expecting that there may be cuts coming within the company, however that’s not the case and as we have mentioned, Florida Championship Wrestling’s affiliation with the Bright House Sports Network will come to an end on April 15th.
Meanwhile WWE.com’s writer and former Baltimore Sun columnist and WCW Magazine editor, Kevin Eck, took to his Twitter account to comment on the matter noting.
“WWE is severing ties with FCW? Good lord. Dirt sheets are wrong…AGAIN.”
I have spoken with several other members of staff with many still expecting the company to make a major shakeup after WrestleMania, with one member who will remain anonymous stating that the decision to end the affiliation with the Bright House Sports Network on April 15th and the company launching the WWE Network, may result in the top talent from the company ending up on a re-worked version of NXT or a new third brand under a different name, while those in developmental that need more work will relocate to Stamford, CT. There are others within the company that feel with Triple H’s restructuring of the company’s developmental system and his signings since taking over in that role, that the news that has been online will eventually become truth.
As of writing, the promotion will not be leaving Florida and relocating to Stamford, CT and they are still running advertised events, including releasing a press release earlier today to note that WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes would be appearing at this weekend’s events.
