Trent Barreta Released by WWE: Are More Releases on the Horizon?

News broke earlier today that WWE has released Trent Barreta from his contract. This doesn't come as too much of a surprise considering Barreta was barely used on television over the past few months.

Could this news mean that more superstar releases are on the horizon? 

According to a report on LordsofPain.net (courtesy of PWInsider.com), more talent releases are expected to come soon.

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Trent Barreta has been released from WWE, according to a report at PWInsider.com.

Barreta has been with WWE since 2008, when he signed a developmental deal. He wrestled on the SmackDown brand with Caylen Croft as part of the Dudebusters tag team. After Croft was released by WWE, Barreta had a brief singles run and was moved back down to developmental.

Several more releases are expected this weekend.

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In the past, it was a yearly ritual immediately after WrestleMania for WWE to release a number of wrestlers from the roster. Many dubbed this "spring cleaning" for WWE. 

However, since Linda McMahon started her campaigns to unsuccessfully win a Senate seat in Connecticut in 2010 and 2012, the releases have come few and far between. 

With the news breaking earlier in the week that WWE has its sights set on a number of wrestlers from the independent wrestling scene, it wouldn't surprise me if a "spring cleaning" took place before WrestleMania this year.

Call it a "winter cleaning." There is a whole cast of wrestlers who haven't been utilized in recent months who may fall into the "future endeavored" category if WWE wants to make some roster room for top independent wrestling talent.

Sadly, Trent Barreta is the first performer to be released. Who do you think, if anyone, will be the next to be released by WWE?

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