Three WWE Performance Center coaches — Ace Steel, Serena Deeb, and Kendo Kashin — were all furloughed Wednesday as part of WWE’s mass layoffs and personnel changes.
The 47-year-old Steel (Chris Guy) signed on as a coach in 2019 after an extensive career working in Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, and the indies. He was in WWE developmental from 2004 through 2007 and played the role of Donald Trump in a 2008 Raw skit with a Rosie O’Donnell impersonator. He also trained both CM Punk and Colt Cabana. Squared Circle Sirens first reported his furlough.
Deeb was signed as a coach in February 2018. She was in WWE for the better part of two years, best known for her role in CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society. A 2005 Ohio Valley Wrestling trainee, the 33-year-old has worked extensively in both OVW, Shimmer, and the indies. Squared Circle Sirens first reported her furlough.
The 51-year-old Kashin (Tokimitsu Ishizawa) is a former IWGP junior heavyweight champion and worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling for the majority of his career. He also fought six times profesionally in MMA, going 1-4-1. He was signed as a coach in August 2019.
By being furloughed, the employee is unpaid for an indefinite period of time, but is still associated with the company and could be brought back. For example, WWE furloughed nine producers that are not needed currently because the company can’t do house shows.
The company released several dozen wrestlers, referees, and backstage personnel on both the main roster and NXT as part of cost cutting measures associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
