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    Looking Back At The 80 WWE Wrestlers Released In 2021

    By Mat Elfring on January 12, 2022 at 1:05PM PST

    WWE's 2021 Releases

    WWE's 2021 Releases

    2021 was a rough year for WWE wrestlers. During the course of the year, there were multiple days of mass layoffs of both wrestlers and people working backstage at the company. These releases ranged from people training at the Performance Center to NXT superstars to people on both Raw and Smackdown. At times, it felt like no one was safe, even big name stars like Bray Wyatt. Most of these releases were because of "budget cuts" for the company.

    Throughout 2021, there were 80s wrestler releases, with some even coming in late December. On December 9, Jeff Hardy was released by WWE, days after an incident at a house show. However, this wasn't a "budget cut" release, which is one of the few that happened in 2021. Sources have confirmed to GameSpot that Hardy has been released.

    WWE's budget cuts releases happened for a seventh time on November 19. Eight more superstars were released from their contracts. This was reported by Sean Ross Sapp from Fightful. Many of the former WWE wrestlers confirmed this on Twitter, including Tegan Nox, John Morrison, and Drake Maverick--who made an inspiring video about his career. Below, you'll find a list of everyone released this year, which now stands at 79 wrestlers.

    The last batch of releases came on November 4. WWE released 18 wrestlers because of reported "budget cuts," which was, once again, first reported by Sean Ross Sapp from Fightful. It's been a wild year for the company, which is boasting record profits and releasing talent left and right. Additionally, the company has released plenty of other people from within the company. The latest group of wrestlers released includes names like Keith Lee, Mia Yim, Nia Jax, and Lince Dorado.

    Additionally, wrestlers have been exiting the company by letting their contracts run out. Both Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole have gone from WWE to AEW this year, by not resigning with WWE. 2021 will be a landmark year in the history of professional wrestling, no matter how this plays out.

    On August 6, WWE released numerous NXT superstars, a little more than a month from the last block of 205 Live and NXT ones. This brings the count to 54 releases of wrestlers from WWE in 2021, which includes big names like Bray Wyatt, Ric Flair, Bronson Reed, Mercedes Martinez, and more.

    There have been numerous days this year where batches of wrestlers were released. On June 25, WWE released 205 Live and NXT stars, like Tyler Breese, Tony Nese, and Fandango. Reasons for these releases are rarely given and WWE typically wishes them the best on their "future endeavors."

    There were also mass releases on May 20 and June 2. The latter saw one of the company's top superstars, Braun Strowman, get "future endeavored" along with Aleister Black--who was in the middle of a huge push. Both of these were quite head-scratching moments.

    While this is a bummer to the average fan--seeing your favorite wrestler no longer working with WWE--there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. This is temporary. 2020 saw numerous layoffs from WWE as well, and many of those wrestlers found success outside of the company. And quite a few have already made a splash in promotions like Impact, AEW, ROH, NJPW, and more.

    Below, you'll find all the WWE wrestler releases throughout 2021, including a few stand-alone moments where a superstar requested his or her release. What you won't find here are releases from backstage, including referees, production, etc or those who just let their contracts run out. We're focusing this list entirely on wrestlers. Additionally, some of these wrestlers have moved on to other companies, and that's noted as well.

    Jump ahead to release dates:

    • April 15
    • May 20
    • June 2
    • June 25
    • August 6
    • November 4
    • November 19

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    Lars Sullivan

    Lars Sullivan

    Released: January

    Started with WWE: October 2014--first match as Lars Sullivan in May 2017 (NXT).

    The Big Show

    The Big Show

    Released: February

    Started with WWE: February 9, 1999.

    Paul Wight now works with AEW.

    Steve Cutler

    Steve Cutler

    Released: February 4

    Started with WWE: June 12, 2014 (NXT)

    Steve Cutler now works on Impact wrestling as Steve Maclin.

    Andrade

    Andrade

    Released: March 21

    Started with WWE: November 19, 2015 (NXT)

    Andrade now works on AEW as Andrade El Idolo.

    Billie Kay

    Billie Kay

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: April 13, 2015 (NXT)

    Kay now works on Impact wrestling as Jessie McKay as part of the tag team The Inspiration.

    Peyton Royce

    Peyton Royce

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: April 13, 2015 (NXT)

    Royce now works on Impact wrestling as Cassie Lee as part of the tag team The Inspiration.

    Samoa Joe

    Samoa Joe

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: May 20, 2015 (NXT)

    NXT rehired Samoa Joe shortly after.

    Kalisto

    Kalisto

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: May 26, 2013 (NXT)

    Kalisto now works at AEW as Samuray del Sol.

    Mickie James

    Mickie James

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: August 2003 (OVW), October 10, 2005-November 2013 (WWE), 2016-2021 (WWE).

    James now works at NWA and Impact wrestling.

    Chelsea Green

    Chelsea Green

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: August 3, 2018 (NXT)

    Green now works at Impact wrestling.

    Tucker

    Tucker

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: 2013--made TV debut on July 1, 2015 (NXT)

    Bo Dallas

    Bo Dallas

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: 2008 (FCW), June 20, 2012 (NXT)

    Mojo Rawley

    Mojo Rawley

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: August 2012

    Wesley Blake

    Wesley Blake

    Released: April 15

    Started with WWE: June 2013 (NXT)

    Kavita Devi

    Kavita Devi

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: January 2018

    Devi appeared in the 2017 Mae Young Classic.

    Jessamyn Duke

    Jessamyn Duke

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: May 7, 2018 (NXT)

    Although Duke is no longer a wrestler with WWE, she still appears with BRE Start on UpUpDownDown.

    Vanessa Borne

    Vanessa Borne

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: April 12, 2016 (NXT)

    Skyler Story

    Skyler Story

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: October 7, 2020 (NXT)

    Story returned to Impact wrestling as Brandi Lauren.

    Ezra Judge

    Ezra Judge

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: April 2019 (NXT)

    Judge now works at MLW as E. J. Nduka.

    Alexander Wolfe

    Alexander Wolfe

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: 2015 (NXT)

    Velveteen Dream

    Velveteen Dream

    Released: May 20

    Started with WWE: May 3, 2017--as Velveteen Dream--in NXT. However, Patrick Clark--who plays Dream--had been with NXT since late 2015.

    Additionally, Clark appeared on Season 6 of Tough Enough.

    Braun Strowman

    Braun Strowman

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: August 24, 2015 (WWE)

    Previous to his first appearance on Raw, Strowman had played one of Adam Rose's "Rosebuds" and had a couple of dark matches at NXT live events and on WWE Main Event.

    Scherr appeared on EC3's PPV Free the Narrative.

    Lana

    Lana

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: June 2013 (NXT)

    Buddy Murphy

    Buddy Murphy

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: March 17, 2013 (NXT)

    Murphy now wrestles at NJPW as Buddy Matthews.

    Aleister Black

    Aleister Black

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: June 2016 (NXT)

    Black now wrestles in AEW as Malakai Black.

    Ruby Riott

    Ruby Riott

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: January 13, 2017 (NXT)

    Riott now wrestles in AEW as Ruby Soho.

    Santana Garrett

    Santana Garrett

    Released: June 2

    Started with WWE: August 2019 (NXT)

    Prior to her NXT stint, Garrett had appeared in the Mae Young Classic and as enhancement talent on NXT.

    Garrett now wrestles in AEW.

    Fandango

    Fandango

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2006 (Deep South Wrestling)

    Tyler Breeze

    Tyler Breeze

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2010 (FCW)

    Tony Nese

    Tony Nese

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2016 (205 Live)

    While not signed yet, Nese has appeared on AEW television.

    Ariya Daivari

    Ariya Daivari

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2013

    Daivari is now with NJPW.

    August Grey

    August Grey

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: August 2, 2020

    Samir Singh

    Samir Singh

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2016

    Sunil Singh

    Sunil Singh

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2016

    Curt Stallion

    Curt Stallion

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: October 2020

    Arturo Ruas

    Arturo Ruas

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: 2015

    Ruas now wrestles with AEW as Tiger Ruas.

    Marina Shafir

    Marina Shafir

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: May 7, 2018

    Killian Dain

    Killian Dain

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: June 2016

    Matt Martel

    Matt Martel

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: June 2016

    Martel is now with AEW as part of the tag team 2.0.

    Chase Parker

    Chase Parker

    Released: June 25

    Started with WWE: January 22, 2019

    Parker is now with AEW as part of the tag team 2.0.

    Bray Wyatt

    Bray Wyatt

    Released: July 31

    Started with WWE: February 2009 (FCW)

    Ric Flair

    Ric Flair

    Released: August 2

    Started current run with WWE: 2012

    Bobby Fish

    Bobby Fish

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: June 23, 2017 (NXT)

    Fish is now with AEW.

    Bronson Reed

    Bronson Reed

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: January 2019 (NXT)

    Jake Atlas

    Jake Atlas

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: 2018 (NXT)

    Atlas is with ROH.

    Ari Sterling

    Ari Sterling

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: May 2021 (205 Live)

    Kona Reeves

    Kona Reeves

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: May 2014 (NXT)

    Leon Ruff

    Leon Ruff

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: October 2020 (NXT)

    Stephon Smith

    Stephon Smith

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: 2019 (NXT)

    Tyler Rust

    Tyler Rust

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: December 2020 (NXT)

    Rust is now with ROH.

    Zechariah Smith

    Zechariah Smith

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: January 2020 (NXT)

    Asher Hale

    Asher Hale

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: January 2021 (NXT)

    Hale wrestled one match in AEW since his release.

    Giant Zanjeer

    Giant Zanjeer

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: April 2020 (NXT)

    Mercedes Martinez

    Mercedes Martinez

    Released: August 6

    Started with WWE: January 2020 (NXT)

    Martinez is now with Impact wrestling.

    B Fab

    B Fab

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: May 2019 (NXT)

    Ember Moon

    Ember Moon

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: September 2015 (NXT)

    Eva Marie

    Eva Marie

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2013

    Franky Money

    Franky Money

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: February 2021 (NXT)

    Gran Metalik

    Gran Metalik

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2016

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: Had a run 2006-11, resigned in 2020

    Jeet Rama

    Jeet Rama

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: September 2015 (NXT)

    Jessi Kamea

    Jessi Kamea

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2017 (NXT)

    Karrion Kross

    Karrion Kross

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: February 2020 (NXT)

    Katrina Cortez

    Katrina Cortez

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: August 2019 (NXT)

    Keith Lee

    Keith Lee

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: May 2018 (NXT)

    Mia Yim

    Mia Yim

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: September 2018 (NXT)

    Nia Jax

    Nia Jax

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2014 (NXT)

    Oney Lorcan

    Oney Lorcan

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: September 2015 (NXT)

    Scarlett Bordeaux

    Scarlett Bordeaux

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2014 (NXT/One of Adam Rose's Rosebuds)

    Trey Baxter

    Trey Baxter

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: March 2021 (NXT)

    Zayda Ramier

    Zayda Ramier

    Released: November 4

    Started with WWE: 2021 (NXT)

    Ashante Adonis

    Ashante Adonis

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: December 2018

    Drake Maverick

    Drake Maverick

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: October 2017 (205 Live)

    Maverick was originally released on April 15, 2020 due to budget cuts, but was brought back on.

    Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

    Isaiah "Swerve" Scott

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: April 17, 2019 (NXT)

    Jaxson Ryker

    Jaxson Ryker

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: May 29, 2017

    John Morrison

    John Morrison

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: Original run: 2002 (Tough Enough/OVW)

    Current run: 2019 (Smackdown)

    Shane Thorne

    Shane Thorne

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: February 2016

    Tegan Nox

    Tegan Nox

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: April 2017

    Top Dolla

    Top Dolla

    Released: November 19

    Started with WWE: January 2020

    Jeff Hardy

    Jeff Hardy

    Released: December 9

    Most recent run of WWE started: April 2, 2017.

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