Published: Feb 3, 2021 by Liam | Last Updated: Mar 20, 2023 by Liam
Liam has been reporting & analyzing wrestling news for over eight years, and is currently the Managing Editor at WrestleTalk.com. Immersed in wrestling for 18 years, he has over 11,000 published articles in addition to leading and overseeing WrestleTalk.com's coverage.
WWE
We’re keeping track of every WWE star who was released during the year of 2021. This will be updated with every new release as they happen.
Lars Sullivan
Signed: 2013
Released: January 2021
Reason for release: Informed the company he was done with wrestling due to mental health struggles
Big Show
Signed: 2008
Released: February 2021
Reason for release: Contract expired, didn’t agree to a new one due to creative frustation & financial differences
Steve Cutler
Signed: 2014
Released: February 4, 2021
Reason for release: Had heat with Vince McMahon for disciplinary reasons related to a New Year’s Eve party and catching COVID-19
Andrade
Signed: November 19, 2015
Released: March 21, 2021
Reason for release: WWE granted his request to be released
Charly Caruso
Signed: 2016
Released: March 2021
Reason for release: Contract expired and she chose not to re-sign so she could join ESPN full-time
Billie Kay
Signed: April 2015
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Mickie James
Signed: October 2016
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: Had been vocal about wanting to wrestle more
Wesley Blake
Signed: June 2013
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Tucker
Signed: 2013
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Chelsea Green
Signed: 2013
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Kalisto
Signed: May 2013
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Samoa Joe
Signed: May 2015
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: Wanted to wrestle but WWE wouldn’t medically clear him
Bo Dallas
Signed: 2008
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Peyton Royce
Signed: April 2015
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Mojo Rawley
Signed: August 2012
Released: April 15, 2021
Reason for release: “Cost cutting”
Daniel Bryan
Signed: 2010
Released: April 30, 2021
Reason for release: Contract expired and chose not to re-sign
Drake Wuertz
Signed: 2014
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: Had nuclear heat backstage due to his controversial political views
Jake Clemons
Signed: October 2020
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Alexander Wolfe
Signed: 2015
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”, WWE informed him his contract expiring June 15 wouldn’t be renewed
Skyler Story
Signed: August 2020
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Ezra Judge
Signed: August 2019
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Jessamyn Duke
Signed: 2018
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Vanessa Borne
Signed: 2016
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Kavita Devi
Signed: 2017
Released: May 19, 2021
Reason for release: “Budgetary reasons”
Velveteen Dream
Signed: 2015
Released: May 20, 2021
Reason for release: Had significant backstage heat
Adnan Virk
Signed: April 2021
Released: May 26, 2021
Reason for release: The company made the decision to let him go after only a few weeks as Raw lead announcer
Tom Phillips
Signed: 2012
Released: May 27, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Braun Strowman
Signed: 2013
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Aleister Black
Signed: June 2016
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Lana
Signed: June 2013
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Ruby Riott
Signed: December 2016
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Santana Garrett
Signed: 2019
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Murphy
Signed: March 17, 2013
Released: June 2, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Ariya Daivari
Signed: 2016
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Tony Nese
Signed: 2016
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Chase Parker
Signed: 2019
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Matt Martel
Signed: 2019
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Fandango
Signed: 2006
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
August Grey
Signed: 2020
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Tyler Breeze
Signed: 2010
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Samir Singh
Signed: 2016
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Sunil Singh
Signed: 2016
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Curt Stallion
Signed: 2020
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Arturo Ruas
Signed: 2015
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Marina Shafir
Signed: 2018
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Killian Dain
Signed: June 2016
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Tino Sabbatelli
Signed: 2020
Released: June 25, 2021
Reason for release: Cost cutting
Bray Wyatt
Signed: 2009
Released: July 31, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
JoJo Offerman
Signed: 2013
Released: Unknown – it was reported on August 2, 2021 that she had been released “six to eight months ago”
Reason for release: Unknown
Ric Flair
Signed: 2019
Released: August 2, 2021
Reason for release: Complained to Vince McMahon about daughter Charlotte’s booking
Bronson Reed
Signed: 2018
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Leon Ruff
Signed: October 2020
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Tyler Rust
Signed: 2020
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Mercedes Martinez
Signed: January 2020
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Bobby Fish
Signed: 2017
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Ari Sterling
Signed: January 2021
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Jake Atlas
Signed: October 23, 2019
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Kona Reeves
Signed: May 2014
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Zechariah Smith
Signed: January 2020
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Asher Hale
Signed: January 2021
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Giant Zanjeer
Signed: Unknown
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Stephon Smith
Signed: 2019
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Desmond Troy
Signed: 2018
Released: August 6, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly part of a potential revamp for NXT
Greg Hamilton
Signed: 2015
Released: October 26, 2021
Reason for release: Came two days after he threatened legal action against rapper Westside Gunn, but Hamilton called it a “mutual respect departure from a great company”
Scarlett
Signed: 2019
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Franky Monet
Signed: February 2021
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Ember Moon
Signed: September 2015
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Trey Baxter
Signed: February 2021
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Karrion Kross
Signed: 2020
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Oney Lorcan
Signed: September 2015
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
B-Fab
Signed: August 2019
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Jessi Kamea
Signed: 2017
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Zayda Ramier
Signed: January 2021
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Gran Metalik
Signed: June 2016
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”, had previously requested his release
Lince Dorado
Signed: July 2016
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”, had previously requested his release
Jeet Rama
Signed: June 2015
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Katrina Cortez
Signed: 2019
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Nia Jax
Signed: 2014
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”, her unvaccinated status reportedly played into the decision
Keith Lee
Signed: 2018
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Harry Smith
Signed: 2021
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Mia Yim
Signed: September 2018
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Eva Marie
Signed: 2020
Released: November 4, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
John Morrison
Signed: September 2019
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Tegan Nox
Signed: April 2017
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Shane Thorne
Signed: February 2016
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Jaxson Ryker
Signed: May 2017
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Drake Maverick
Signed: June 2020
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Isaiah Scott
Signed: April 2019
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Top Dolla
Signed: January 2020
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Ashante Adonis
Signed: 2018
Released: November 18, 2021
Reason for release: “Budget cuts”
Jeff Hardy
Signed: 2017
Released: December 9, 2021
Reason for release: Reportedly refused WWE’s offer of rehab after being sent home from the road
Toni Storm
Signed: 2017
Released: December 2021
Reason for release: Requested her release
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