5 WWE Superstars who have allegedly asked for their release
It's 2019, wrestling looks set for a revival of sorts, at least when it comes to interest in the product out with WWE - and while it's a very exciting time, it's also a very uncertain one for some.
WWE is notorious for stockpiling talent and, with so many shows and the risk of injuries, you can kind of see why. However, when you have so much talent in one place, it's only logical that not everyone can hit the top and achieve their full potential.
With the success of ALL IN being followed by the formation of All Elite Wrestling, some of WWE's underutilised stars may very well see the grass as greener on the other side and want to venture away from WWE to see if there is something better for them out there.
Chris Jericho shocked the world and laid down a hefty precedent when he signed with AEW after being offered a WWE deal, and PAC walked away from his Neville character in WWE and has ended up in the same place - so it begs the question, will anyone leave WWE for AEW?
The answer is most likely a resounding yes - if WWE will let them. Sure, WWE is the dream for a lot of wrestlers, if not all of them, and it's undoubtedly the place to go if you want your name in lights - but if you end up there and those lights aren't shining so bright, a compromise to be in a more fulfilling position elsewhere may be considered, and that's just what some WWE stars have allegedly done. Five in fact.
Will WWE release them and essentially gift them to the competition? That's another story, but here are five names who have asked for their release from WWE recently, if reports are to be believed.
#5 and #4 - The Revival
Let's start with the most recent - Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.
The Revival were one of the top teams in NXT, having won the Tag Team Championships twice, but Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson have found that form hard to replicate since making the move to the main roster, with the team being seen rarely and underutilised when they have grabbed some TV time on RAW.
The "top guys" have made no secret of their desire to face off against The Young Bucks, after being referenced in Being the Elite in a move that saw wrestling fans across the globe lobby for a match between the teams. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, The Revival have indeed asked for their release, but that it has not been granted.
The Revival, after their win over Kalisto & Metalik on the 1/13 Raw, while still in their gear, asked for their release. As of press time, they haven't been given their release.
AEW have since gone on to tease the signing of the pair.
#3 and #2 Maria and Mike Kanellis
PWInsider reported today that they have heard from several sources that Mike Kanellis requested his release from WWE three weeks ago, but was denied. PW Insider also states that there have been rumblings that Maria Kanellis had also asked for her release, but that they could not substantiate that to be any more than speculation.
Mike Kanellis was last seen on 205 Live programming on January 9th during a backstage vignette with Drake Maverick. It was a rare appearance, though, and Kanellis has been used sparingly for various reasons ever since he debuted at Money In The Bank alongside wife Maria.
Maria Kanellis made her in-ring return to WWE at Evolution having been off television due to pregnancy. She has also been used sparingly, and if rumours are to be believed, the pair are said to have asked for their release with a view to returning to ROH.
#1 Goldust
This one may be obvious or very surprising, depending on how you look at it. It had been rumoured that Goldust had requested his release from WWE and would be heading to AEW to work alongside his brother, Cody, but it seems to be just that right now - rumour.
PWInsider.com stated today that, like with Maria Kanellis, they have not been able to substantiate the rumour that Dustin Runnels has asked for a WWE release.
Joe Peisich of Barnburner's No Holds Barred podcast had previously said Goldust may be heading to AEW after the WWE veteran had spoken of his pride at what Cody Rhodes had done outside of WWE.
Will he move to AEW? Well, Goldust is still recovering from knee surgery that he received in July, and there's no date scheduled for his return as yet. Only time will tell.
Would you like to see any of these stars in AEW or elsewhere? Let us know in the comments.
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