5 WWE stars that were released in 2018 - Where are they now?

There were not many main roster releases in 2018 and it was obvious that the stars who were given their release papers were the ones who the company had good reason to cut ties with.

Until April this year, WWE had gone some time without being forced to make mass budget cuts, with the last one coming in 2014 following the debut of the WWE Network. This year the company was forced to make some tough decisions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's been two years since many of these stars have stepped foot in a WWE ring, but what does life after WWE hold, and where have these former Champions ended up following their release?

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#5 James Ellsworth

James Ellsworth was originally added to the WWE roster following a squash match against Braun Strowman. The star then went on to step into a feud between Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles on SmackDown before managing Carmella.

Carmella and Ellsworth had a strange storyline throughout 2017 and it was Ellsworth that helped the star win the Money in the Bank contract. After nearly a year away from the company, Ellsworth returned to help Carmella retain her Championship against Asuka at Money in the Bank the following year.

Following his WWE release, Ellsworth has wrestled a number of matches on the independent circuit as well as making an appearance at Impact Wrestling. The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected Indy promotions over the past four months, but when it's safe for shows to make their return, it's thought that Ellsworth will be back in the ring doing what he does best once again.

Ahead of the lockdown, James Ellsworth was able to wrestle against former WWE star Gillberg, who was competing in his final match.

#4 Rich Swann

Rich Swann came through the ranks in NXT before he made a name for himself as a Cruiserweight Champion on WWE's main roster. Swann competed in the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic but was eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual winner TJ Perkins.

Swann was able to defeat Brian Kendrick on the premiere episode of 205 Live to lift the Cruiserweight Championship for the first time, before later losing the Championship to Neville at The Royal Rumble in 2017.

Swann's problems began back in December 2017 when he was arrested for domestic violence, the company was forced to suspend him for violating their zero-tolerance policy. In February 2018, WWE and Swann mutually agreed on his release from the company.

Swann made his Impact Wrestling debut just months after his WWE release in 2018 and has since become a well-known member of the roster. Back in December 2018, Swann was able to win the X Division Championship, before dropping the title to Jake Christ back in July 2019.

Swann was forced to undergo ankle surgery earlier this year and has since been working towards his return to the company.

#3 Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore was one of the company's most popular stars throughout his time in NXT and went on to become one of the best stars on the mic on the main roster. The former Cruiserweight Champion wasn't well-liked backstage and is one of only a few WWE stars who were kicked out of the locker room in his shirt career

Amore's WWE career came to an end back in January 2018 when The Certified G was the most talked about WWE star on the day of RAW 25. The company would have been alright with this if it wasn't because Amore was accused of sexual assault.

Amore's title defense against Cedric Alexander at the Royal Rumble was canceled and Amore's contract with WWE was terminated. The Cruiserweight Championship was later vacated.

Over the past few years, Amore has been able to tell his side of the story as well as moving forward in his career. Under the stage name Real1, Amore began to pursue a career as a rapper in May 2018, back in March this year, Amore released Certified G Series: Zo's Exotic Quarantine Music, which is the first mixtape on his Real1 Entertainment label.

Whilst Amore did dip his toe into the independent wrestling pool and there were rumors that he would reunite with Big Cass, it appears that the former Champion is focusing on his rap career.

#2 Nick Miller

Throughout their time in NXT, Nick Miller and Shane Thorne were pushing for the Tag Team Championships as TM-16. The group was getting closer to the titles throughout 2018 and even turned heel and renamed themselves The Mighty.

This came to an end back in December 2018 when Nick Miller requested his WWE release and it was granted. A report by the Wrestling Observer stated that Miller's wife had recently welcomed their first child and Miller wanted to spend more time with his family in Australia.

Miller stepped away from wrestling for a few months until he decided to make his return to Japan. Miller competed in the 2019 New Japan Cup and was unveiled as the newest member of Chaos.

Now known under the ring name Mikey Nicholls, the former WWE star was eliminated from the tournament in the second round by Kazuchika Okada. Miller went on to team with fellow former WWE star Juice Robinson to compete unsuccessfully for the IWGP Tag Team Championships later that year.

Miller has also been wrestling in his home country for a promotion called Explosive Pro Wrestling.

#1 Neville

Neville was seen as one of the stars who could be the future of the WWE when he was NXT Champion, but his promotion to the main roster didn't seem to follow the same hype. Neville was sent to the 205 Live brand where he's a former Cruiserweight Champion, before walking out of an episode of RAW back in 2017.

Neville was originally supposed to face Enzo Amore on that episode of RAW, but this match didn't take place. Reports suggested that Neville had quit the company after being unhappy in his role on WWE TV for a while.

WWE froze Neville's contract back in January 2018 before announcing his release in August. Just a few months later, Neville, under the new name Pac was announced as one of the first signings to All Elite Wrestling.

Pac has since feuded with Kenny Omega, Adam Page, and Orange Cassidy throughout his first year on AEW TV and most recently stepped into a storyline with The Lucha Bros where the trio is now known as The Death Triangle.