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It's almost halfway through 2021 and already, WWE has made some interesting cuts to their main roster, backstage staff, and to NXT.
In recent months, the company has been forced into its annual culling and there were many surprise names on the list.
The releases began at the beginning of the year and even though it's only May, 14 WWE Superstars have already been released from the company's main roster. There have also been several releases from the broadcast team and a handful of stars departing from NXT.
WWE's cuts have even gone as far as their backstage staff and several Performance Center recruits who were never able to appear on TV.
Velveteen Dream, Alexander Wolfe, Jessamyn Duke, Vanessa Borne, and Drake Wuertz headlined the most recent list of releases last week.
The following list looks at just five of the most surprising releases from WWE over the past six months.
#5. Former WWE Superstar Lars Sullivan
Lars Sullivan was the first superstar released from WWE in 2021 when the story of his departure was leaked back in February. Unlike many of the other stars who make up this list, WWE didn't announce that the company had parted ways with Sullivan.
It was reported that Sullivan was released much earlier in the year after spending time away from the company after a stint on SmackDown. Sullivan had some issues after being promoted from NXT alongside numerous other names a few years prior.
While the likes of Lacey Evans, Nikki Cross, and Heavy Machinery were all finding their feet on the main roster, Sullivan was struggling with mental health issues. When Sullivan was finally able to debut, his run was short-lived as he suffered a knee injury and was sidelined once again.
Sullivan later returned as part of the 2020 Draft, where he was moved over to SmackDown but this run was short-lived. He was taken off TV once again and eventually released.
Sullivan's release came as a surprise to the WWE Universe since there were reports of big plans for the former NXT star. It appeared as though he could become one of SmackDown's big heels if he was booked correctly, but the company decided to release Sullivan instead at his own request.
#4. Former WWE Commentator Adnan Virk
Adnan Virk was named Tom Phillips' replacement on Monday Night RAW following this year's WWE WrestleMania last month. While several superstars departed the company on April 15th, Virk was the new recruit and took on the play-by-play role on the company's flagship show.
Over the past few weeks, the WWE Universe took a liking to Virk's commentary and it appeared that he had been able to slot into the role quite well.
This was until the news broke earlier this week that Virk and WWE mutually agreed to part ways. Virk was employed for around six weeks and definitely needed more time to be able to adapt to a new atmosphere and surroundings.
WWE's announcement that they were heading back out on the road in July could have been one of the main reasons for Virk's departure. It was reported that the traveling schedule alongside his other commitments was too much for him.
Just days later, former UFC and Bellator commentator Jimmy Smith was revealed as Virk's replacement and Tom Phillips was also released from the company.
#3. Former WWE United States Champion Andrade
There was a time when Andrade was seen as the future of WWE and one of their hottest prospects while working down in NXT.
It was during his time in NXT that Andrade was a bonafide star and had great in matches against Drew McIntyre and Johnny Gargano.
After being moved to the main roster, it appeared that the creative team didn't have a lot of scope when it came to plans for El Idolo. While his manager Zelina Vega led him to a United States Championship reign, their split seemingly marked the end of both of their WWE careers.
Andrade actually requested his release from the company and after this was denied initially, it was hoped that WWE had some plans for him. The former NXT champion had sat on the sidelines for several months and hadn't even been part of the Royal Rumble match at this point, which signaled some sort of problem.
A few days later, WWE approved his request and granted him his release.
#2. Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Billie Kay
Billie Kay's WWE release could easily be considered one of the most surprising of the year. The former Women's Tag Team Champion was part of WrestleMania just days before her release and was gaining quite the following as a singles star.
Kay and her long-time partner Peyton Royce were unceremoniously split and then sent to separate WWE brands where they were both left to adapt or perish alone.
Peyton Royce was left on the sidelines after Lacey Evans' shock announcement at the beginning of the year. However, Billie Kay was able to rise from the ashes of her career and create a new character for herself on SmackDown.
Kay was getting over with the WWE Universe and teamed with Carmella in a failed attempt to reclaim the Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 37.
Kay was then one of the first names on the list of releases on April 15th. She was the only superstar on the WrestleMania card just days before to be handed her release.
#1. Former WWE Superstar Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe was a surprise signing for WWE when joining the company as part of their NXT brand in 2015. Joe was already a well-known face in the wrestling world following his stint in IMPACT Wrestling and went on to become NXT Champion.
Joe debuted on the main roster back in 2018. In recent years though, he has been sidelined after suffering a concussion. This allowed Joe to explore the possibility of a career behind the commentary desk, a spot in which he was able to flourish for many months on Monday Night RAW.
Following WrestleMania last month, WWE decided that a shake-up was in order for their broadcast teams and Joe was taken off RAW. It was reported that the former Champion had requested a return to active competition and was then turned down by WWE officials.
Joe is just another star on a long list that never fully reached his potential in WWE, and his release came as a massive shock for wrestling fans across the world.
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