2021 is a day away from coming to an end. WWE had a turbulent year, as it released more than 80 superstars, primarily due to budget cuts. We rank the top ten releases.
With just over 24 hours to go, the year 2021 will bid farewell to us. The sporting world, too, will be doing the same. As we look back at the year, it turned out to be a good year from a sporting perspective. However, the same cannot be said for pro-wrestling giant World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that released more than 80 superstars this year, primarily due to budget cuts. On the same note, we rank its top-ten unfortunate releases.
The Big Show
The former seven-time world champion and one of the modern-day giant wrestlers was eventually let go by WWE, considering his in-ring career was nearly over. He has signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) now and is primarily a commentator. However, he has clarified that he is not yet done with his in-ring career.
Nia Jax
The former Women's Champion and Tag-Team Champion had just asked for time off for mental health. However, the WWE chose to release her from her contract. Notably, she has not signed with any company yet. It could be possible that to manage its budget while Nia is on time off, it is a temporary release, and she could be re-hired once she is ready for her return, considering that Nia is a big star.
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Andrade
Despite being rated as a top start and WWE having great plans for him, the former NXT Champion and the United States Champion happened to be a surprise release. He happened to be a budget cut release, while he is turning out to be a top star in AEW and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
Ember Moon
A former NXT Women's and Tag-Team Champion, NXT was doing good in the promotion. However, since WWE did not have any significant plans for her, she was included in its budget cut releases. Notably, she is yet to sign for any other promotion post her release.
Jeff Hardy
Now, his case seems to be unique. The former world champion was involved in a house show when he abruptly left the show in the middle of a match and went AWOL since. It was reported that WWE asked him to undergo rehab for his addictions. However, after he refused to, he was released from his contract.
Adam Cole
Cole was not actually released, while the former NXT multiple NXT Championships winner chose not to renew his contract. Reports state that he was scripted to debut on the main roster and act as a manager for a heel Keith Lee. Cole did not like the idea and decided to part ways, as he joined AEW, where he is doing great and is a fan-favourite top talent.
Aleister Black
The former NXT Champion was supposed to be in the big-plan books of WWE. However, when the budget became tight, WWE, unfortunately, had to let go of him with a heavy heart. Nonetheless, WWE did not want to waste a talent like him and removed his post-release no-compete clause, as he joined AEW as a top star.
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Karrion Kross
Another former NXT Champion who was released right after moving to the main roster. Kross happens to be one of the deadly pro-wrestlers in the industry, as fans were indeed looking for a dominating stint for him in the main roster. However, he happened to be a surprise release as a part of the budget cut. Fans were left baffled as to why?
Bray Wyatt
The former World Champion and Tag-Team Champion, Wyatt, was given a scary role of The Fiend. Naturally, fans loved it and bought it. However, WWE decided to abruptly end it and make him a part of its budget cut releases. Fans are still demanding his return. Also, notably, he has not yet signed for any other promotion. Fingers crossed?
Braun Strowman
Another former world champion, Strowman, was also widely accepted by the fans and was a genuinely top superstar, involved in top feuds. However, out of nowhere, WWE decided to release him for budget cuts, leaving fans baffled again, while Stowman himself was frustrated too, especially with the no-compete clause. But, since then, he has joined Ring of Honor (RoH), besides continuing to wrestle in the independent circuit.