Ricardo Rodriguez Confirms His Release from WWE

Ricardo Rodriguez has officially been let go by WWE. The company announced his release on WWE.com Wednesday.

"WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Ricardo Rodriguez as of today, July 30, 2014," the official statement read. "WWE wishes Ricardo Rodriguez the best in all of his future endeavors."

Rodriguez tweeted out his gratitude toward WWE for the four years he spent with the company:

This comes after PWInsider.com's Dave Scherer reported that layoffs would be coming in WWE. In order to appease stockholders, WWE could let as many as 10 percent of its employees go.  

Since he hasn't been on Raw or SmackDown for some time, the harsh reality was that Rodriguez was viewed as expendable in the WWE hierarchy.

When he served as the personal ring announcer/manager for Alberto Del Rio, Rodriguez was a constant presence on WWE programming. He was an underrated performer, honing the lost art of properly managing a wrestler. His reactions and mannerisms were always perfect for the role and helped turn Del Rio into an even bigger heel and get more heat from the live crowds.

Then, Del Rio turned on Rodriguez in August 2013, and the latter's career took a massive nosedive.

Rodriguez returned to help Rob Van Dam in his feud against Del Rio in the same month but was shuttled down to NXT shortly thereafter, where he wrestled as El Local for a few episodes.

If Scherer's report is correct, Rodriguez is likely only the first of what will be many releases to come. Just last month, WWE terminated the contracts of nearly a dozen on-screen personalities.

As many WWE stars before him have, Rodriguez will almost certainly begin showing up on the independent circuit very soon.