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RETRIBUTION debuted in WWE recently, and the new faction has made everyone stand up and take notice, on both WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown. We don't quite know who these Superstars are, behind their black masks and hoodies.
These masked assailants attacked the WWE Performance Center during a RAW show, and did so once again on SmackDown, even attacking some of the crowd. RETRIBUTION want to cause chaos and want to seek vengeance for some past deeds. Could some of these Superstars potentially be those that were released by WWE earlier this year?
While the majority of those released have joined AEW or IMPACT Wrestling, there are a few who are still free agents. These released Superstars have a solid motive for joining a faction like RETRIBUTION, and the story will be an easy one to tell.
Let's take a look at 3 released WWE Superstars who could be a part of RETRIBUTION and 3 who won't:
#6 Sarah Logan - Won't be a part of RETRIBUTION
Sarah Logan debuted on the main roster alongside Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott as part of the Riott Squad. Things looked promising at the start, but it soon tailed off for the trio. Logan was one of many who were released by WWE earlier this year.
While her two Riott Squad partners, Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott, have teamed up again after feuding with each other, a full Riott Squad reunion is impossible. Logan is pregnant and will not be able to return to WWE or any other pro wrestling promotion for a long time.
She revealed that she will return to pro wrestling one day, but she will be taking some time off.
This completely rules her out of being a part of the RETRIBUTION faction, which has both male and female members. Sarah Logan could have been an excellent addition to RETRIBUTION as she could've thrived in a destructive environment.
#5 Curtis Axel - Could be a part of RETRIBUTION
One Superstar who was unsurprisingly released earlier this year was Curtis Axel. Axel, the son of the legendary Mr. Perfect, was with WWE for over a decade, but was only a mid-card/lower mid-card Superstar. The former Intercontinental and WWE RAW Tag Team champion was a part of the B-Team in the final few years of his WWE stint, and teamed up with Bo Dallas. If RETRIBUTION eventually do wrestle, a solid worker like Axel could make them look good.
Axel hasn't signed or made an appearance for any other promotion, which means that he could potentially still return to WWE and join RETRIBUTION.
#4 Mike and Maria Kanellis - Won't be a part of RETRIBUTION
Like a few other Superstars that were released by WWE earlier this year, Mike and Maria Kanellis were unhappy at how they were let go by the company. Their public criticism of WWE rules out a return for them and their addition to RETRIBUTION.
Following their release, Mike revealed that WWE did not support him during his personal battles, while Maria too has been critical of WWE.
Maria once again criticized WWE recently by revealing that WWE "doesn't want to build new stars".
#3 Erick Rowan - Could be a part of
RETRIBUTION
A faction like RETRIBUTION would need a strong man, someone who can destroy anyone who comes in the way to stop the group. Erick Rowan could very well be that man! Rowan was released by WWE earlier this year, months after his former tag team partner, Brodie Lee, also left the company.
Rowan, who goes by the name Erick Redbeard, hasn't signed with any company since his release. There were rumors that he had taken part in an AEW taping, but those turned out to be false.
In a recent appearance on Sportskeeda, Rowan revealed that he was contacted by WWE to appear in the Wyatt Swamp fight between Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. He declined that appearance, and he revealed why:
"There may have been a chance I was given a call and there may have been a chance that I was busy filming. So yeah, there is a high probability that I just wasn't able to fill their request."
With him still being in contact with WWE, could he potentially be a member of RETRIBUTION? There is a possibility of that happening, considering he has still not signed with another company, and WWE willing to hire back released personnel.
While he may not be the best on the mic, RETRIBUTION may have others who can be the voice of the group, while allowing the others to seek "retribution" from WWE.
#2 Lio Rush - Won't be a part of RETRIBUTION
Following his release by WWE earlier this year, Lio Rush has spoken out about his experience in the company, and was close to leaving the company earlier. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, he opened up about various things. While he could seek "retribution" from WWE for numerous issues that he faced, it's unlikely that he will return to WWE - or even to pro wrestling.
Rush faced off against Joey Janela last month, dubbed 'The Final Match'. This could have been Rush's final match in pro wrestling, but said that the door is open for a return.
Following his real-life issues with those in WWE and his unhappiness in his spell with the company, it's highly unlikely that he will return to WWE. This rules him out of being a part of RETRIBUTION, which could have used a person like him in their group.
Rush is good on the mic, and a notorious faction like RETRIBUTION could have used his skills on the mic to inflict damage on their victims.
#1 Rusev - Could be a part of RETRIBUTION
Rusev was perhaps the biggest surprise as part of WWE's releases earlier this year. The Bulgarian Brute was touted to become a main eventer, but it did not work out for him for various reasons. Most fans believe that he still has a lot to offer, and following the return of Drake Maverick, many predicted Rusev to also re-join WWE, and perhaps even be a part of RETRIBUTION.
The former United States Champion has not joined any promotion, but AEW's Cody recently spoke about his interest in signing him:
"I think there are two free agents that are on a lot of people's radar, that being Miro -- formerly Rusev-- and Matt Cardona, who was Zack Ryder. Obviously, those free agents should be on any radar. They have literally drawn money. They have TV experience. They have high-profile experience. They have locker room experience. The pros heavily outweigh the cons."
WWE may not want to lose a talented Superstar like Rusev to AEW, and they could try to bring back Rusev, and maybe even lead RETRIBUTION. He certainly has a readymade storyline, having been released by WWE, and coming back to climb up the WWE ladder, this time by unscrupulous means.
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