By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

PWTorch has learned that up to seven NXT Developmental wrestlers will be released on Friday. This will make room for new Developmental signings.

Five wrestlers have confirmed their releases publicly - Derrick Bateman, Briley Pierce (Dolph Ziggler's brother), Sakamoto (Tensai's former on-air manager), Brandon Taven, and NXT Diva Anya.

A sixth wrestler, Diva Audrey Marie, has not tweeted about her release, but her profile has been removed from WWE's NXT Developmental roster. WWE also removed profiles of the male wrestlers cut on Friday.

Update: "Showtime" Percy Watson is the seventh wrestler we confirmed. Watson has not commented publicly on his release, but his profile has been removed from the NXT website, similar to Audrey Marie.

- Taven tweeted Friday afternoon: "Staying positive on a bad day..not the end only the beginning...things in life happen for a reason..just had a good lunch with good people. Not the end of the book just the end of the chapter..my journey is far from over."

- Pierce tweeted Friday: "I guarantee that was the funniest and most entertaining 'You're released' phone call in WWE history. Bye, everybody!" Pierce later tweeted to his brother, World champ Dolph Ziggler, "You need a personal assistant or anything? My resume speaks for itself! (Just, uh, don't read the last little part...)"

Pierce's brother, Dolph Ziggler, weighed in on Twitter Friday afternoon: "Countless WWE peeps personally told me how hard (Briley) worked & how he was the most entertaining guy in NXT #WeirdBiz."

- Sakamoto tweeted Friday: "#WWE #NXT my friend thank you for everything SAYONARA."

- Bateman tweeted Friday morning: "NOW AVAILABLE FOR INDY BOOKINGS!! Welp see ya later @wwe @WWEUniverse #itsfine."

Bateman, who turned 30 in March, was a cult-favorite on the NXT competition season, then suffered a knee injury in 2012 that sidelined him for several months. Bateman was set to be re-packaged as "Mr. USA Guy," but the gimmick never made air.

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