Cain Velasquez released by WWE

Cain Velasquez is no longer under WWE contract.

Dave Meltzer confirmed on this morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio that Cain Velasquez was released from his WWE contract as part of a wider range of releases and furloughs that took place earlier this month.

Velasquez, who defeated Brock Lesnar to win the UFC Heavyweight title, made his debut for the company on the October 9 edition of SmackDown, confronting Lesnar. This eventually led to a match for the WWE title at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Lesnar submitted Velasquez quickly with a kimura lock. Velasquez had not been used by the company since.

Before his run with WWE. Velasquez worked several shows for AAA, including at Triplemania XXVI, teaming with Cody Rhodes and Psycho Clown in a winning effort against Texano Jr., Taurus and Killer Kross.

Meltzer also reported today that Gerald Brisco, who has been a part of the company since 1984, has also been furloughed.