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WWE released several superstars ahead of this week’s episode of SmackDown. Still, many layoffs are being made, as wrestlers confirm their status on social media, sending shockwaves across the pro wrestling fandom.
While this was the first release for some wrestlers, many stars have left the company twice in the last five years.
Here are five superstars who have been released twice in the last five years.
#5. Braun Strowman takes an unexpected blow
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Braun Strowman was involved in a highly electric and multi-match feud with Jacob Fatu ahead of WrestleMania 41. After giving The Monster of All Monsters his first-ever defeat in the Last Man Standing format, The Samoan Werewolf went on to become the new United States Champion at ‘Mania by defeating LA Knight. However, while Fatu got a championship belt, Strowman got released.
Prior to this, the former Black Sheep of the Wyatt Family was released back in June 2021 and re-signed to WWE in September 2022. He had to take an injury hiatus in April 2023, following which the former Universal Champion returned in April 2024 after getting neck surgery. Now, he has been let go once again.
#4. WWE released Dakota Kai shortly after her emotional post
Dakota Kai had to stay away from the ring after undergoing meniscus surgery in August 2024. She returned in November the same year, and it seemed she would finally get a good singles run. However, she just briefly wrestled against Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She fought her last match on March 17, 2025, winning against Ivy Nile.
A few days ago, the Damage CTRL member posted an emotional update saying she missed wrestling. This made several fans and fellow wrestlers send supportive comments her way. However, now she has been released from WWE.
Before this, she was released from the company in April 2022 after completing five years in the promotion. However, she was re-signed just three months later in July 2022. While the chances of the same happening a second time are slim, Dakota Kai fans would love to see her come back stronger.
#3. Akam and #2. Rezar got slashed out of the roster a few months ago
Akam and Rezar, known as Authors of Pain, were released from WWE on February 7, 2025. Their release came alongside their manager, Paul Ellering, effectively dissolving their faction, The Final Testament, headed by Karrion Kross.
Akam and Rezar are one-time RAW Tag Team Champions and also held the doubles championship on the NXT brand. Authors of Pain also supported Seth Rollins when he began his Monday Night Messiah arc following the 2019 Survivor Series.
Now, The Visionary is back with a similar gimmick and has embarked on a mission to save the business of pro wrestling alongside Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker. However, his former henchmen, Akam and Rezar, who were earlier released in September 2020, are no longer by his side.
#1. Tegan Nox also gets sacked for the second time
Tegan Nox, known in the independent circuit as Nixon Newell, was released from WWE on November 1, 2024, from Friday Night SmackDown. The 30-year-old star had a somewhat chaotic journey in the Stamford-based promotion. She made her main roster debut alongside Shotzi, who also departed the company after this week’s blue-branded show, on July 9, 2021.
The duo performed well and defeated the then-Women’s Tag Team Champions, Natalya and Tamina, in multiple non-title matches. Despite this, they never got a title shot, and their team was soon separated when Nox was sent to RAW after the 2022 Draft, while Shotzi remained on SmackDown. However, Tegan was released before making a single appearance on the red brand in November 2021.
She was brought back to the company with a new deal in December 2022. However, WWE barely used her. The Welsh wrestler recently spoke about her second release at a Highspots’ Sign-It-Live event. She noted that the character she played wasn’t in sync with what she really wanted to show the fans.
"I’m very emo, pop-punk. This is me. Tegan Nox was so far removed from me that I was trying to get this through but I just wasn’t allowed. They preferred me to be the girl next door, instead of tattooed-up punk kid," she said.
As mentioned earlier, the 30-year-old is currently performing on the indie circuit. It would be interesting to see where the rest of the former WWE superstars find their next pro wrestling destination.
