WWE releases are a major part of the discussion around the IWC for the past couple of years. Before the pandemic arrived, the company usually did a spring cleaning of their roster following the WrestleMania pay-per-view event. That tradition totally changed since 2020 as wrestlers despite their status with the company are being released, without any prior notice.
For these unprecedented WWE releases, the pandemic-related budget cuts are being shown as the cause while the wrestling pundits do believe that the reality is different. Initially, it was thought that WWE is trying to get sold out to tech giants like Disney but that’s not the case. They’re rather trying to be financially secure, it appears.
That being said, a total of 119 WWE releases have had happened from April 2020 to yesterday night. For each of these releases, the company head honchos noted that these were due to the COVID-19 budgets cuts while for some contracts expiring and other reasons were also noted. Assumptions now are that no wrestler can feel safe on the main roster as well as on the developmental territory.
Below-given is the list of 119 WWE releases that occurred in 2020 and 2021
1. Akam (AOP)
2. Rezar (AOP)
3. Rusev
4. Cain Velazquez
5. Zack Ryder
6. Mike Kanellis
7. Maria Kanellis
8. Primo Colón
9. Epico Colón
10. Erick Rowan
11. Sarah Stock
12. Taynara Conti
13. Dash Wilder
14. Scott Dawson
15. Yifeng
16. Nick Ogarelli
17. Mohamed Fahim
18. Mars Wang
19. Marco Gomes
20. Luke Harper
21. Ligero
22. Killer Kelly
23. Kairi Sane
24. Jack Gallager
25. Jazzy Gabert
26. Hussain Aldegal
27. Faisal Kurdi
28. Edgar Lopez
29. Dan Matha
30. Cesar Bononi
31. Sarah Logan
32. Karl Anderson
33. Luke Gallows
34. EC3
35. Lio Rush
36. Travis Banks
37. Serena Deeb
38. Curt Hawkins
39. Renee Young
40. Heath Slater
41. Eric Young
42. Curtis Axel
43. No Way Jose
44. MJ Jenkins
45. Deonna Purrazzo
46. Kassius Ohno
47. Aleksander Jaksic
48. Kurt Angle
49. Andrade
50. Aiden English
51. Gerald Brisco
52. Mike Rotunda
53. Mike Chioda
54. Lars Sullivan
55. Big Show
56. Steve Cutler
57. Charly Caruso
58. Billie Kay (The IIconics)
59. Mickie James
60. Wesley Blake
61. Tucker
62. Chelsea Green
63. Kalisto
64. Bo Dallas
65. Peyton Royce (The IIconics)
66. Mojo Rawley
67. Daniel Bryan
68. Drake Wuertz
69. Jake Clemons
70. Alexander Wolfe
71. Skyler Story
72. Ezra Judge
73. Jessamyn Duke
74. Vanessa Borne
75. Kavita Devi
76. Velveteen Dream
77. Adnan Virk
78. Tom Phillips
79. Jerry Soto
80. Braun Strowman
81. Aleister Black
82. Lana
83. Ruby Riott
84. Santana Garrett
85. Murphy
86. Mark Henry
87. Ariya Daivari
88. Tony Nese
89. Chase Parker
90. Matt Martel
91. Fandango
92. August Grey
93. Tyler Breeze
94. Samir Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
95. Sunil Singh (The Bollywood Boyz)
96. Curt Stallion
97. Arturo Ruas
98. Marina Shafir
99. Killian Dain
100. Tino Sabbatelli
101. Bray Wyatt
102. JoJo Offerman
103. Ric Flair
104. Canyon Ceman
105. Bronson Reed
106. Leon Ruff
107. Tyler Rust
108. Mercedes Martinez
109. Bobby Fish
110. Ari Sterling
111. Jake Atlas
112. Kona Reeves
113. Zachariah Smith
114. Asher Hale
115. Giant Zanjeer
116. Stephon Smith
117. Desmond Troy
118. Cathy Kelley
119. Zechariah Smith
Update On 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson Going To WWE
Update on latest WWE releases from NXT
As reported yesterday, a total of 13 NXT Superstars (including one referee) were the latest WWE releases that were a continuation of a long list of departures.
On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, it was reported these WWE releases are ultimately decided by Vince McMahon, despite WWE President Nick Khan getting the ‘finger pointed at him.’ Meltzer also noted that Khan is the person who’s concerned with the budget and he’s also recommending which contracts might not make financial sense. At the end of the day, it’s Vince who calls the shot.
Meltzer wasn’t sure of Triple H’s exact role in all of this but he speculated that The Game has to be involved in the meetings regarding the WWE releases from NXT, especially since he is the best person who has the knowledge of the black and gold brand.
