Citing reasons for budget cuts, 18 WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT wrestlers were released from the company. The latest round of cuts was shocking enough, similar to the previous occasions as some of the top names of the roster were let go without any prior notice. Reports also mentioned that some of the superstars may have denied their mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations to get to the bad books of the company.
Which started with a necessary trim-down in 2020 to cope with the budget amid the COVID-19 crisis, has become a nightmare for the superstars. An undisclosed official has disclosed that no WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT talent is any safer under the recent circumstances.
Starting with the April of 2020, over 120 WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT wrestlers have been released, to date. Along with them, several WWE HQ employees have also been released. Most of these wrestlers have joined other wrestling companies like Impact, AEW, ROH, NJPW to resume their careers on a different note.
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Check out the list of released WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT wrestlers in 2020-21,
Released in 2020:
Zelina Vega, Akam and Rezar, Rusev, Cain Velasquez, Zack Ryder, Mike and Maria Kanellis, Primo and Epico, Erick Rowan, Sarah Logan, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Ethan Carter III, Lio Rush, Curt Hawkins, Renee Young, Heath Slater, Eric Young, Curtis Axel, No Way Jose, MJ Jenkins, Deonna Purrazzo, Kassius Ohno, Aleksandar Jaksic, Kurt Angle, Aiden English, Gerald Brisco, Mike Rotunda, Mike Chioda, Cathy Kelley.
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Breakdown of WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT stars released in 2021:
January, February, and March- Lars Sullivan was the first star to get released in January, followed by Big Show and Steve Cutler in February. Former US Champion Andrade was released on March 15.
April- Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Samoa Joe, Kalisto, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Bo Dallas, Mojo Rawley, Wesley Blake
May 20- Kavita Devi, Jessamyn Duke, Venessa Borne, Skyler Story, Ezra Judge, Alexander Wolfe, Velveteen Dream
June 2- Braun Strowman, Lana, Buddy Murphy, Aleister Black, Ruby Riott, Santana Garrett
June 25- Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Samir Singh, Sunil Singh, Curt Stallion, Arturo Ruas, Marina Shafir, Killian Dain, Matt Martel, Chase Parker
July- Bray Wyatt
August- Ric Flair, Bobby Fish, Bronson Reed, Jake Atlas, Ari Sterling, Kona Reeves, Leon Ruff, Stephon Smith, Tyler Rust, Zechariah Smith, Asher Hale, Giant Zanjeer, Mercedes Martinez
November 4- B Fab, Ember Moon, Eva Marie, Franky Money, Gran Metalik, Jeet Rama, Jessi Kamea, Karrion Kross, Katrina Cortez, Keith Lee, Mia Yim, Nia Jax, Oney Lorcan, Scarlett Bordeaux, Trey Baxter, Zayda Ramier
Interestingly, the releases aren’t finished, as of now. Reports from Wrestling Observer suggest at least 10 WWE Raw/Smackdown/NXT wrestlers are standing in a bubble and they could get released, anytime soon.
