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The first major layoffs of WWE superstars since the new merger with UFC into TKO Group Holdings are taking place Thursday
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and they include former champions and longtime talent with the company.
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The cuts come less than a week after WWE began to layoff Stamford-based employees
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as reports claimed there could be upwards of 100 positions eliminated by the merger.
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As a result, several high-profile employees were let go Friday.
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One of the longest tenured stars with WWE, Dolph Ziggler was released by the company
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Joining in 2004 as part of the Spirit Squad, Ziggler spent nearly 20 years in WWE, winning several titles and being part of popular feuds.
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Longtime star Shelton Benjamin announced on social media he was let go off his contract.
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A star of the 2000s as a WWE Tag Team, United States and Intercontinental Champion
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Mustafa Ali posted on social media he was no longer with WWE, adding "I look forward to the future."
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Ali had been with the company since debuting in the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, and eventually took on Cedric Alexander at WrestleMania 34 for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
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