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April 15th, 2020 will go down as one of the darkest days in the last decade or so in WWE. It saw the release of 22 Superstars and many backstage producers, coaches, and staff that we don't normally see on-screen.
Some of the backstage producers released include former Superstars such as Kurt Angle, Shane Helms (Hurricane), Shawn Daivari, Billy Kidman, Fit Finlay, Pat Buck, etc. while the longest-tenured referee Mike Chioda was shockingly released as well.
This list is purely about the on-screen talent. While we believe that many of the above-mentioned names will eventually get their jobs back, there's a high chance that many Superstars will be re-hired as well.
WWE would argue that they had to cut costs at the time of the pandemic, giving out big severance paycheques. Either way, our thoughts are with those who lost their jobs in WWE and we hope that they'll find opportunities elsewhere or be re-hired later on. Here are six Superstars who have a high chance of being rehired later on.
#6. Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins is a Superstar who was released a few years ago with the same purpose before he left - being given the role of an enhancement talent. While he may have hoped for more, there's certainly nothing wrong with that, since most Superstars in WWE have an assigned role. If it weren't Hawkins in that spot, it would have been someone else.
It's not too surprising that he was released, especially since he was hardly being utilized on television. He may not be rehired as soon as the crowds return, but it might be a year or so before he's back with the company. He's a valuable enhancement talent and still has a lot to offer, even if he stays in one role.
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#5. Drake Maverick
It's a real shame that Drake Maverick's stint in WWE lasted just over two years. Formerly known as Rockstar Spud in Impact Wrestling, he made his debut in WWE as Drake Maverick - the general manager of 205 Live.
Over two years, he's had a good stint as General Manager, often getting into the ring as well. Perhaps his most memorable time in WWE was in 2019 when he was chasing R-Truth for the 24/7 Championship, with his obsession causing problems with his wife who he had just married at the time.
He's a classic comedy character and has proven that he deserves a consistent spot on television. His feud with R-Truth was one of the best things to watch and he had a good role in WWE. He had just relinquished his role as 205 Live General Manager to compete for the Interim Cruiserweight Championship.
His video after being released was heartbreaking and given his talent and level of professionalism, he's a Superstar that we can see returning sooner rather than later.
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#4. Sarah Logan
Sarah Logan was unfortunately released as well. The former Riott Squad member wasn't being heavily utilized on TV in terms of storylines, but she would have her spot on Monday Night RAW.
Why she was chosen, we can't be too sure. However, her husband Erik of The Viking Raiders is still in the company and doesn't look to be getting cut anytime soon. Sarah Logan will have plenty of opportunities elsewhere, especially since WWE has hired almost all of the world's best female Superstars.
It's an uphill battle for her, but there's still value in bringing her in. She wouldn't be considered WWE's biggest loss, but she would have a lot to offer if she returns. We expect that she'll be one of the names getting the call back once the storm passes and things start to settle down.
However, we wouldn't blame her for wanting to try her luck elsewhere and make a name for herself. If she does, the option of returning to WWE is almost guaranteed.
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#3. Heath Slater
Heath Slater signed a developmental contract with WWE and was with the company for nearly a decade-and-a-half. While it took him a few years to start appearing on television, he's been a part of several memorable moments, including his initial run with Nexus.
While he has been an enhancement talent throughout his career, he's done his best to make his opponents look good and earned his place as one of the most well-respected veterans backstage. We imagine that it must be a lot harder for Superstars who have been tenured for a long time like Heath Slater.
Perhaps his most memorable run with the company was in 2016 during the WWE Draft when he was the only Superstar on the roster not to be assigned any brand. It led to an unexpectedly incredible story of Slater fighting to earn his spot on either brand and culminated with him becoming the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Championship along with Rhyno.
It was a great moment and while we're sad to see a veteran like Slater be released, there's no doubt that the door will open for him to return someday - whether it's as a comedy character or a backstage agent.
#2. Rusev
Perhaps the biggest name released among the 20+ Superstars was Rusev. The Bulgarian Brute is a multi-time United States Champion and a former WWE title challenger as well. He's been a Superstar who has feuded with some of the biggest names in the current WWE roster and has always been viewed as a prominent Superstar until a point.
He was undefeated for close to a year before that ended against John Cena in 2015. Even after that, he continued to find success, but his last storyline will be a forgettable one. Unfortunately, his WWE run ended with an inconclusive storyline with Lana and Bobby Lashley.
The entire idea behind that storyline was for Rusev to get the payoff. Unfortunately, it ended with an injury to Rusev, after which he was released. It's a bit surprising that WWE decided to cut Rusev from his contract, but we imagine that his injury may have kept him out for many months, to begin with.
WWE's logic, in this case, was perhaps to cut his contract and rehire him once he returns - by which everything will be expected to be normal again. We can see Rusev coming back at some point.
#1. Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder is another name that many were saddened to see on the list of Superstars released by WWE. A 14-year veteran of the WWE, Ryder's run in WWE was like watching the living embodiment of a superfan's dream coming true.
It's no secret that Zack Ryder has been a WWE superfan for a long time and he didn't take too long as a singles star to start making waves. Interestingly enough, it was Ryder who popularized the use of social media and YouTube to help get himself over.
It worked in a big way. Perhaps the biggest example of that was at Survivor Series 2011 when The Rock was trying to cut a promo only to be flooded with "We Want Ryder!" chants at Madison Square Garden.
Perhaps this could be one of those cases where he hasn't been utilized on TV since losing the RAW Tag Team Championship last year, which meant that WWE wanted to cut the costs on paying him.
Once things return to normal, we have no doubt that Ryder can return
