WWE has released British developmental wrestler Hade Vansen. WWE ran a bizarre vignette on his planned character on SmackDown a few weeks ago.

WWE had plans for his dark character with cult-esque overtones to engage in a feud with Undertaker, but Vince McMahon halted the direction following the initial vignette. McMahon didn't want new talent from developmental to be put in such a major angle before being tested and then trusted enough to carry the ball.

SmackDown creative team writer Michael Hayes came up with the idea for the storyline. He had plans for Kevin Fertig (a.k.a. Kevin Thorn) and the large masked developmental wrestler Black Pain to be associated with Vansen in some form before the character and direction were dropped. WWE released Fertig last week as well, so only Black Pain remains.

Vansen was signed to a developmental contract in May 2007 following a successful tryout during WWE's European tour. Vansen missed most of 2008 due to injury before returning in December.