Alberto Del Rio has been released, according to WWE.com, "due to unprofessional conduct and an altercation with an employee," according to the company Web site.

Internet rumors circulating around the incident indicate that ADR slapped a social media manager after confronting him about a joke made that the Mexican star found offensive. According to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com, Del Rio found out about the joke that entailed him cleaning plates and allegedly slapped the social media manager after failing to apologize.

While many rumors are running rampant regarding the incident, WWE uncharacteristically fired back saying, via their official Twitter account and retweeted on Triple H's verified account, that "@VivaDelRio is responsible for his own actions. If you're angry at anyone, be angry at Alberto. There's no excuse for a pro athlete not to conduct themselves in a professional manner."

Meltzer speculates that Del Rio, whose WWE contract was set to expire this year, having said he would not re-sign with the company, will likely sit out the 90-day non-compete before making his next career move.

TNA Wrestling and Japan may be landing spots but Mexico's AAA wrestling organization may also be in play for Del Rio's services, where he started his career wrestling with his father as the masked luchador Dos Caras Jr. AAA recently signed a deal with Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network to air "Lucha Uprising" -- a one-hour show revolving AAA's talent pool, making Del Rio a prized free agent having gained popularity in the U.S. market after his stint with the WWE. Signing Del Rio would give the Mexican organization a known star in the American market, making ADR a good fit for AAA.

With "SummerSlam" just a week away, the card is starting to flesh out, with John Cena defending his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Brock Lesnar in the main event. WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee will also put her title on the line against Paige as will Intercontinental Champion The Miz, who will go up against Dolph Ziggler. Also slated for the annual pay-per-view event are Chris Jericho versus Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan banned from ringside), Roman Reigns against Randy Orton, Brie Bella battles The Authority's Stephanie McMahon (making her return to the ring after a decade-long hiatus), Jack Swagger faces off against Rusev in a Flag match and Dean Ambrose continues his feud with Seth Rollins in a Lumberjack match. WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos are rumored to defend their title against three other teams in a Fatal Fourway including Rowan and Harper of The Wyatts. Hulk Hogan may have a role at "SummerSlam," with the wrestling icon being honored this "Monday Night Raw." Hogan and his nWo cronies -- Kevin Nash and Scott Hall -- have been teasing a Wolfpac reunion on their respective Twitter accounts and their return may possibly help set up a storyline for Hogan's participation in next Sunday's PPV.

NXT is preparing for their third quarterly live event of the year, "NXT Takeover 2," set to air Sept. 11 on the WWE Network, with Triple H announcing that every title will be on the line. NXT Champion Adrian Neville will defend his title against Sami Zayn, Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze; Sin Cara and Kalisto challenge NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension and NXT Divas Champion Charlotte (daughter of WWE Hall of Famer "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair) tries to fend off number one contender Bailey.

Triple H Makes "NXT Takeover 2" Announcement

NXT's latest acquisitions, Japan's KENTA and Prince Devitt, have reported to the WWE Performance Center, with Devitt -- now wrestling under the name Fergal Devitt -- and KENTA both having done interviews with WWE's Renee Young exclusively for WWE.com. Both of WWE's latest free agent signings were backstage at the Aug. 31 NXT taping but may not make their debut until after "NXT Takeover 2." Meanwhile, former Ring of Honor Champion Kevin Steen is tying up loose ends with his indy circuit commitments before joining KENTA and Devitt, including a Piledriver vs Piledriver match against WWE commentator Jerry "The King" Lawler," who said he was ready to greet the former Ring of Honor champion into "the Big Time."

Fergal Devitt Talks With Renee Young


KENTA Talks With Renee Young

Jerry "The King" Lawler Promo For His Piledriver vs Piledriver match vs Kevin Steen

As KENTA and Devitt get ready to make their NXT debut, WrestleZone.com reports that Charlotte, Kalisto, and The Ascension may soon get promoted to the WWE main roster sometime after "NXT Takeover 2."

Lastly, in CM Punk news, the former WWE champion is thoroughly enjoying his retirement focusing on non-wrestling projects, having worked as a red carpet correspondent for the Alternative Press Music Awards (APMA) and as a reporter for Chris Hardwick's "The Nerdist" program at this year's San Diego Comic Con. Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan, who formed the Chicago-based Resistance Pro Wrestling outfit and was receiving the APMA's first ever Vanguard Award, joked around with Punk (who also presented Corgan his award) if he wanted to talk about wrestling. Punk quipped back only if the topic was legend Stan Hansen.

CM Punk Interviews Billy Corgen of the Smashing Pumpkins at the APMAs