WWE have released Derrick Bateman, Sakamoto and Briley Pierce from their deals with the company.

Bateman was signed to a developmental deal with the company back in 2007 and was on the last season of NXT prior to the show being taped at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

Pierce, real name Ryan Nemeth is the younger brother of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler was signed to a developmental deal in 2011 and has already taken to his Twitter account commenting on his release noting, “I guarantee you that was the funniest and most entertaining “you’re released” phone call in history.”

As for Sakamoto, the Japanese star broke into the business under TAKA Michinoku in Japan and was signed to a developmental deal in 2011. He was then placed alongside Tensai upon his debut, but was sent back down to developmental when the company decided to repackage Tensai as Sweet T.

There are said to be more developmental talent released within the coming days and possibly hours, as the company look to release talent while signing others prior to the WWE Performance Center opening this July.