6 WWE Superstars who were released in 2021: Where are they now?

WWE has now released more than 70 superstars so far this year and it appears that many of them are not hanging around waiting for a second chance with Vince McMahon's company.

Over the past 10 months, WWE has had several talent culls in order to help trim their budget and some stars have since been able to reignite their careers elsewhere.

Whilst the likes of former Universal Champion Braun Strowman, WWE Champion Bray Wyatt, Lana, Lars Sullivan, and several other released stars are still looking for their next move outside of WWE, the following list looks at recently released stars who have already moved on.

The following list of six superstars has all been able to land on their feet following their WWE release and are now working as part of a rival promotion.

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#6. Former WWE Superstar Aleister Black / Malakai Black - Is now an AEW Superstar

Aleister Black was seen as the future of WWE. The former NXT Champion was a gifted wrestler and martial artist and had a boundless imagination that enticed the WWE Universe throughout his stint in the company.

His promotion to the main roster was where the star's imagination hit restrictions and there were several lengthy periods of inactivity.

Since his release, Black has been able to keep his surname and has become known as Malakai Black in All Elite Wrestling. He told a story ahead of his AEW debut which seemed to hint that his entire WWE career was more of a dream or illusion and he has since been able to become one of AEW's stand-out stars.

His wife Zelina Vega has returned to WWE after being fired back in November and is now The Queen of WWE. Although the couple are one of many split between the two companies at the moment, both stars are thriving in their respective promotions.

#5/4. Former WWE Superstars The IIconics - Now known as The Inspiration in IMPACT Wrestling

The IIconics climbed the ranks in WWE as a tag team and were able to lift the Women's Tag Team Championships for the first time at WrestleMania 35.

The writing was on the wall for Peyton Royce and Billie Kay when the company unceremoniously split the two women as part of an episode of Monday Night RAW. After being split in the WWE Draft, Kay and Royce struggled to find their place on their new brand but despite showing signs of potential as singles wrestlers, the two women were released back in April.

Their release ended a five-year run as a tag team in WWE but despite being split by WWE the two women have come back together following their release.

The duo made their debut in IMPACT Wrestling as The IInspiration.

The Australian standouts are now the reigning IMPACT Knockout's Tag Team Champions after defeating Havok and Rosemary at Bound For Glory last month.

#3. Former WWE Superstar Andrade - Now working for AEW

Andrade is a third-generation wrestler and a superstar that was seen as the future of WWE at one point. During his time in NXT, he excelled under the guidance of Zelina Vega and was able to lift the NXT Championship.

Following his promotion to the main roster, he was able to win the United States Championship but the wheels came off when he was split from his Business Manager.

Andrade actually requested his release from WWE in March and it was then granted a few weeks later.

It appears that the former Champion had a backup plan since he was able to make the move over to All Elite Wrestling just three months later in June.

Andrade has been able to keep his name whilst moving over to WWE's competition but now Andrade El Idolo has been unleashed on the AEW Universe.

The star has also been rather outspoken about his time in WWE, whilst supporting his fiancée Charlotte as she remains contracted to the company.

#2. Former WWE Superstar Chelsea Green - Now working for IMPACT Wrestling

Chelsea Green was preparing to make her return to WWE TV when she was handed the news that she had been released from the company.

After a short stint in NXT, the former IMPACT Wrestling star was promoted to the main roster in the fall of 2020 but suffered a wrist injury in her debut match on SmackDown.

After several months on the sidelines rehabbing her injury, Green was ready to make her return to the blue brand but was then released from the company alongside several other WWE Superstars on April 15th.

Since her release, Green has been able to return to IMPACT Wrestling, and is now working alongside her fiancée Zack Ryder as part of the company. Ryder was one of a number of WWE stars who were released from the company as part of April 2020's budget cuts. Ryder had been working for WWE for more than 15 years when he was released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

#1. Former WWE Superstar Ruby Riott - Now performing for AEW as Ruby Soho

Ruby Riott's WWE release came as heartbreaking news for many current superstars and fans. Throughout the course of her career, Ruby had become a popular star both inside and outside the ring, and at the time The Riott Squad were pushing towards a shot at the Women's Tag Team Championships.

Riott was able to turn the negative into a positive and gave herself a makeover before making her debut in AEW. She returned to the squared circle as "Ruby Soho" and was the surprise Joker entrant in the Women's Casino Battle Royal at All Out, a match that she went on to win before coming up short in her Women's Championship match against Britt Baker.

Riott was one of several wrestlers released on June 2nd, which meant that she was free to join another promotion in September.

Over the past few months, the former WWE Superstar has dominated the Women's Division and has been able to show her former company exactly what they are now missing.