WWE Releases: Top 5 Superstars WWE Will Fire by Summer's End

Why now?

Why am I going to dive into this topic, right?

A few things happened in WWE in the past week that make me feel a few people are going to be getting their walking papers soon. To make things a little more interesting, I am going to stick to a couple of the bigger names people know.

The Uso Brothers do not count. Curt Hawkins does not count. Kozlov does not count.

These are going to be strictly people on TV in recent days who would cause a little backlash should they be fired. As usual with my columns, I am going to try and stay away from "fantasy booking," so Cena being fired is not going to happen, nor are Hornswoggle or Great Khali.

Reality only, folks...

Melina

This one is a long time coming. The backstage heat has been on her since day one, and it seems to never end. Of course, taking shots at fellow co-workers online never seems to help. On top of all that, she is injury prone and adds nothing but drama to the company.

She could be gone tomorrow, and nobody would miss her. In a locker-room environment, a family-like setting is key. If WWE could fire Mickie James for backstage reasons, certainly Melina can go.

My opinion? She was best as a valet (MNM) and never really took off as a wrestler inside the ring.

John Morrison

This ties into my previous slide. With Melina on the outs within the company, that in turn means her boyfriend John Morrison can't be too far behind. His reasons are the same as Melina's. His is just a very sour situation that hasn't resulted in anything positive in quite some time.

Dissing Trish Stratus at WrestleMania this year was bad enough, but his latest injury really may have been the icing on the cake. Did anybody miss him? Did anyone notice he was gone? I sure didn't.

How did he come back? Yep, two straight losses in a row. It seems like he was brought back just because.

When cuts come, I expect Melina to go, then either John goes too, or simply quits to be with his girlfriend.

Heath Slater

I'm sorry. I try to see the good in everybody. I have a very positive outlook on life and wrestling, in general.

Sadly, I cannot for the life of me see a future for Slater. I expect a few of the original Nexus members will be cut down the line (like Michael Tarver was a few weeks ago), but this one is at the top of my list.

He is getting a little bit of screen time on Smackdown right now, but that is likely WWE's way of throwing him a bone to see if anything is there. Well, there isn't.

A decent worker inside the ring is a dime a dozen, and right now, he is just taking up a roster spot any low-card heel can fill.

In order for him to win me over and stay with this company, he needs a complete overhaul...like he would need to change everything about him...EVERYTHING!

Santino Marella

I like Santino. I think he is fun for live crowds and can add a ton to any roster in the business. Sadly, I just think his current run in WWE is nearing its end.

I don't know if Colt Cabana will fill the comedy role, and I do not know if Santino would go to ROH/TNA. I simply know Santino is just not doing it for me anymore.

His TV time has decreased BIG TIME in the past few months and outside of his new Cobra Puppet he wears on his hand, I do not see him doing much, outside of losing in quick matches.

Again, he may return down the line but a gimmick change and/or new personality would be needed. Right now, he is played out and needs to go.

Zack Ryder

Yep. Zack Ryder is No. 1. That man is as good as gone.

His Youtube shows have been fun, if not repetitive over the past few months. His name has been building over the past few months. His shirts seem to be selling well for the company. All of this means absolutely nothing to me.

The reason I see him not lasting much longer is very simple: backstage politics.

In a little bit of news not yet circulated around the net, apparently Vince went to Zack, asked him for the rights to his Youtube Series, Z! True Long Island Story, for WWE.com as a weekly feature for the website. I mean, why not? That thing gets 100,000 views a week. It makes sense WWE would want some of that for their own website. 

What did Zack say? He said no. That's right. Rumor has it Zack told THE BOSS NO! I understand him wanting to keep the show independent and away from WWE.com, but you are in the midst of getting TV time on every WWE show, getting some merchandise, etc., etc, and you turn down a request from the man who signs your paychecks?

Now is not the time for Zack to "stand up for his rights' or "make a point" or whatever he was trying to do.

Am I a fan of Zack? Meh, I guess. He fills a role on a TV show.

Do I think he is as amazing as everyone else seems to think? No, not even close.

That is the exact reason I see him gaining steam and seeing it all being flushed down the toilet in a month or two.

Woo woo woo...you know it!