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WWE's vast roster is filled with the most talented wrestlers on the planet. The company occasionally scopes out talent who are creating a buzz in the industry to offer them the opportunity to work for the wrestling entertainment juggernaut.
Wrestlers who attain success usually become major stars and multi-time champions. Meanwhile, those who struggle to get over often end up being future endeavored by the company. These stars are also more likely to find themselves on the receiving end of WWE's annual budget cuts.
Last year, many talented stars were released amidst the global crisis, and this year, the WWE Universe was forced once again to bid farewell to some of their favorite wrestlers. So far, here are all the names who were recently let go by WWE.
List of WWE stars released in 2021:
- Samoa Joe
- Billie Kay
- Andrade
- Peyton Royce
- Mickie James
- Chelsea Green
- Kalisto
- Tucker
- Bo Dallas
- Wesley Blake
- Steve Cutler
- Lars Sullivan
- Velveteen Dream
- Alexander Wolfe
- Ezra Judge
- Skyler Story
- Vanessa Borne
- Jessamyn Duke
- Kavita Devi
A lot of these wrestlers had the potential to become main event stars in WWE, and it's quite sad that we might never get to see them on RAW, SmackDown, or NXT again. However, when it comes to WWE, anything can happen.
Many wrestlers over the years have left on bad terms and vowed not to step foot in the company again, only to end up returning a couple of years later. Thea Trinidad, who competed in WWE under the ring name Zelina Vega, was released last November for not complying with the company's third-party platform rules.
According to recent reports, she is headed back to WWE very soon and was last seen at the Performance Center. This means that all hope is not lost, and a few other stars may also find their way back to the company.
Here are five recently released WWE stars who could return before the end of 2021.
#5 Former WWE NXT star Jessamyn Duke
Jessamyn Duke signed with WWE along with her friend Marina Shafir in 2018. The two wrestlers are collectively known as the Four Horsewomen of MMA along with Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. Before joining WWE, Duke competed in the UFC, with her last fight taking place on July 25, 2015, against Elizabeth Phillips.
In WWE, Jessamyn Duke made some appearances on NXT and RAW Underground. She also worked as a content creator for WWE's UpUpDownDown YouTube channel. She was reportedly released by the company this week along with several NXT stars and referees.
However, it's possible that she could return later this year. Fans have been waiting for a long time to see a showdown between the Four Horsewomen of MMA and the Four Horsewomen of WWE (Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Sasha Banks).
WWE teased a match between the two groups years ago, and it would be a shame if fans never got to see it just because of Jessamyn Duke's absence.
#4 Former WWE NXT star Vanessa Borne
Vanessa Borne's WWE career didn't pan out the way she expected it to. After signing with the company in 2016, she spent her time competing in NXT, colliding with stars such as Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai.
After re-signing with the company in 2020, Vanessa Borne was reportedly called up to the main roster, though she was never used. Borne has the potential to be a star, and she could've been one if she remained in WWE. The company still has a chance to improve on their mistake by bringing her back and giving her a run on the main roster like they were planning to.
#3 Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Peyton Royce
Peyton Royce was unexpectedly released by WWE along with her best friend and former tag team partner Billie Kay in April.
The IIconics held the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship during their tenure in the company, which they won at WrestleMania 35. The duo was forced to separate on an episode of Monday Night RAW last year, with the reasoning behind it being that Peyton Royce was set to receive a solo push.
However, nothing significant came from the separation. Royce was subsequently paired up in a short-lived alliance with Lacey Evans, which didn't go anywhere. She got fans talking after delivering a fiery promo on RAW Talk, explaining why she should be a champion.
Peyton Royce is undoubtedly talented, and if the reports are true that WWE was planning to push her as a singles star, then it means they might still have some interest in her.
#2 Former WWE SmackDown star Chelsea Green
Chelsea Green competed in other promotions such as IMPACT Wrestling before signing with WWE in 2018. She made her SmackDown debut last November where she took part in a fatal four-way qualifying match, with the winner earning a spot at Survivor Series as part of the women's team.
Chelsea Green was scheduled to win the match, but plans had to be changed after she suffered a legitimate injury during the bout. WWE also had plans for Green to be involved in a storyline with Mickie James, which was later nixed. Following her release, Chelsea Green shared a list of ideas she pitched to WWE which were turned down, including playing Dominik Mysterio's on-screen girlfriend.
Paul Heyman was high on her during her time in the company. Chelsea Green wasn't given another chance to prove herself after the injury. She definitely deserves one more opportunity to make things right.
#1 Former WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe was the most shocking name on the list of recent WWE releases. He was very good in the ring, on the mic, and on commentary. Joe is a former NXT Champion and former United States Champion, but it's a pity that the veteran never held the WWE or Universal Championship.
He was inactive from in-ring competition for a long time, which must have been a factor in WWE's decision to release him. The company made a huge mistake by letting him go, and they need to fix it.
Samoa Joe still has a lot left to offer, and he is certainly popular with the audience. As a result, Joe's potential return to WWE will be welcomed by fans and critics alike.
