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WWE sadly announced a string of releases and furloughs to Superstars, coaches, and producers this week. Several Superstars from RAW, SmackDown and NXT were released, and there's a possibility of more being let go by the promotion.
WWE had announced on April 15 that there would be several changes happening as a result of their product being affected by the pandemic, and later in the day released several Superstars.
Pro wrestling fans have largely been saddened by the situation, but there's light at the end of the tunnel for these released Superstars. Some of them could return to WWE once the situation is back to normal or wrestle in the indies. Some could even join WWE's rival, AEW.
But, there may be a few who may not join AEW. Let's take a look at 5 released WWE Superstars who may not join AEW:
#5 Heath Slater
Heath Slater has been a through and through WWE guy, having been in the promotion for almost 15 years. Slater signed with WWE in 2006 and was in the company for all of those years.
After wresting in WWE's developmental territory, he was called up to the main roster in 2010. Since then, he was a mid-card and lower-card Superstar, who won the WWE tag team titles thrice, and the SmackDown tag team titles once.
When his fellow 3MB members Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre were released, Slater was kept on by WWE, until being released this week. Slater may not want to join AEW as he perhaps sees himself as a WWE guy and one that is loyal to the promotion that gave him his big opportunity in wrestling.
Who knows, he could make a return and win a WWE world title like Jinder Mahal or Drew McIntyre sometime in the future.
#4 No Way Jose
No Way Jose was in the WWE for five years, having joined the company back in 2015, and placed in NXT. The 31-year-old was mainly used in the lower card and mid card in the brand, and he was surprisingly called up to the main roster in 2018.
Jose was once again used in the lower card and mid card, and his dance gimmick was used to annoy his opponents. He would eventually be squashed in a lot of matches. He was brought in to add some comedy and dance to the product.
He did not win any titles in WWE, and wasn't really taken too seriously. Jose may not be the greatest performer in the ring, which perhaps makes it difficult for him to be signed by AEW. Even if he does join AEW, he may, at best, be a lower card or mid card talent, or even an enhancement talent, which he would not want so early in his career.
#3 Eric Young
The Sanity faction was one of the hottest stables in NXT a few years ago, putting on fantastic tag team matches, with Alexander Wolfe and Eric Young even winning the NXT tag team titles. When they were brought up to the main roster in 2018, many expected them to dominate the tag team division, but they were booked poorly, which resulted in their disbanding last year.
Eric Young, who was the leader of the group, was one of the many Superstars released by WWE this week. Young is an experienced pro, having previously had a long career in TNA/Impact. Young is a TNA Grand Slam and Triple Crown champion, having won numerous titles in the promotion before his switch to WWE in 2016.
After his release from WWE, Young may return to the promotion that made him the wrestler that he is - IMPACT, who have put on some good television over the last year or so. AEW may not want to sign a wrestler who turns 41 later this year and would rather invest in younger wrestlers.
#2 Aiden English
Aiden English was in the WWE for a long time before his release this week, having joined the company way back in 2012. He learnt his trade in FCW followed by NXT and was a part of The Vaudevillains tag team with Simon Gotch. The duo won the NXT tag team titles at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015, before losing it to another recently-released team, The Revival.
Gotch was released by WWE in 2017 while English continued as a singles star. His main success on the main roster was him teaming up with Rusev - who was also released this week - and becoming The Bulgarian Brute's mouthpiece. The fans were won over by the Rusev Day gimmick, where English played a big part. Following the feud between Rusev and English, the latter dropped off the main roster and became a commentator.
English recently revealed that he hasn't retired from in-ring competition, and we could see him wrestle in the indies, and even IMPACT, before perhaps returning to WWE sometime in the future with a stronger gimmick.
#1 Kurt Angle
One of the most surprising releases by WWE was that of Kurt Angle, who was working as a backstage producer after his in-ring career came to an end last year. Angle had transitioned smoothly to a backstage role, where he helped Superstars structure their matches and gave them feedback on their in-ring performances.
Angle returned to the company in 2017 and was inducted to the Hall of Fame, before beginning his role as RAW GM. He got back in the ring as well and had his last match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35.
Angle's wrestling days are over and it will be a big surprise if he straps up his wrestling boots once more. This is one reason why AEW may not want to sign him. AEW also do not have on-screen authority figures, which is a role that Angle excelled in WWE. He could be a coach of sorts or a backstage producer, but it remains to be seen if AEW have the money to sign a big name like Angle, considering the legends that they have backstage currently.
