Brandon Silvestry (a/k/a Kaval/Low Ki) requested his release from World Wrestling Entertainment after being frustrated with his position in the organization. The company's creative department was told to bury him after winning the second season of NXT, until a decision was made that he was built up for a few weeks for an Intercontinental Championship Match against Dolph Ziggler at Survivor Series. After losing at the pay-per-view event, creative was told to resume burying him.

Following his quick loss to Drew McIntyre on the Dec. 21 episode of SmackDown!, he reportedly asked WWE management if he had any heat with them, to which he was told no. He then queried if they had any future plans for him and was told they really didn't at that time. He subsequently asked to be released from his contract, which was officially granted two days later.

Silvestry joined WWE in late 2008 while reigning as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in Japan. Original creative plans called for him to adopt a masked character and feud with Rey Mysterio. As he was awaiting his call-up to the main roster, he suffered a severe leg injury in January 2009, which sidelined him for nine months. Creative lost interest in utilizing the program by the time he healed and he remained in developmental until June, when it was announced he would be a participant in the second season of NXT.