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2019 has been a whirlwind year for wrestling so far and we're not even halfway through.
With the world of wrestling outside of WWE set for a revival of sorts, what with the emergence of AEW at the turn of the year, it's a very exciting time - and a very uncertain one.
Several WWE Superstars have been reported as being unhappy, with some quietly requesting their releases - and others, well, not doing it quite so quietly. But why?
Well, WWE is notorious for stockpiling talent and, with so many shows and the risk of injuries, you can't really blame them! But, of course, when you have so much talent in one place, logic would dictate that not everyone can hit the top and achieve their full potential - and of course, that leaves the ones who do not arguably misuses, underutilised, and not very happy.
With the success of ALL IN being followed by the formation of All Elite Wrestling, some of WWE's underutilised stars may very well look over the metaphoric fence to see the grass as being slightly greener on the other side, and may wish to venture away from WWE to see if it really is.
Chris Jericho laid down a hefty precedent when he shocked the world by signing with AEW despite allegedly being offered a WWE deal - and even sending a message to WWE Superstars who may seek to do the same. Likewise PAC walked away from his Neville persona in WWE, seeing out his contract and has ended up in the same place - so it begs the question, will anyone actually leave WWE for AEW directly?
The answer is most likely a resounding yes - if WWE will let them. Will WWE release them and essentially gift them to the competition? That's another story, but here are eight names who have asked for their release from WWE recently, and whether or not that wish has been granted!
#8 Hideo Itami
Well, Itami was one of the first WWE Superstars this year to request their release, and one of the few granted by WWE.
Hideo Itami arrived in WWE in June 2014 with a huge reputation as Kenta, but injuries at all the wrong times, not that there's ever a right one, hindered the Japanese star and killed his momentum at key points - particularly when he was allegedly slated to win the NXT Championship at the Beast in the East special.
Itami has since left WWE, and is now performing back under his Kenta moniker.
#7 Goldust
Earlier this year, it had been rumoured that Goldust had requested his release from WWE and would be heading to AEW to work alongside his brother, Cody, but reports were scarce.
While it was all very hush-hush, Goldust has since confirmed that he has left WWE, and will be competing at AEW's landmark premiere event Double or Nothing in a match against real-life brother Cody.
Goldust's wrestling career spans 30 years, a lot of which has been spent in WWE - but Rhodes also spent time in WCW and TNA. In WWE, though, the 49-year-old is a three-time Intercontinental Champion and nine-time Tag Team Champion, with three Tag Team title reigns, too, but knee injuries blighted the last year of his WWE career.
Goldust sent out an emotional statement confirming that he had requested, and been granted, his release - and hinted that he may retire after his Double or Nothing match, or at least work limited dates, having recently embarked on an acting career.
#6 & #5 - The Revival
Having been one of the top teams in NXT, having won the Tag Team Championships twice, The Revival were a team who jumped onto the main roster with a heap of high expectation.
Until recently, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson had found that form hard to replicate but, since asking for their release while still in their ring gear after a match, and with AEW teasing the signing of the pair, their career has seen its own revival in WWE, where they recently held the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships, only dropping them at WrestleMania to Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins.
Top guys out? Not yet, at least.
#4 Tye Dillinger
Another one that may have went slightly under the radar was Tye Dillinger. The Perfect 10 requested his release, but stayed rather hush on his WWE situation before sending a statement to Instagram before WWE confirmed the news.
Dillinger is now going by the name Shawn Spears, and has several dates booked already - despite still being within his 90-day non-compete clause with WWE.
#3 Luke Harper
Luke Harper made a quiet return to WWE television at WrestleMania, having been out of action for over half a year after sustaining an injury during a dominant run as SmackDown Tag Team Champions with Rowan as The Bludgeon Brothers.
Harper had previously looked like he was on track to win his first ever WWE Championship shortly before the pairing, even winning gold at last year's WrestleMania. Rowan aligned with Daniel Bryan, and several thought Harper may be in line for a push.
Harper, though, took to Instagram to state that he has requested his release, admitting the decision was difficult. He said he feels it is the right one, and that he wants to grow as a performer and as a person.
His release, as of this writing, has not yet been granted.
#2 Sasha Banks
Now, Sasha Banks is the only name on this list that isn't confirmed to have handed in a request for release, but there have been overwhelming rumours over the past month or so that The Boss will indeed be leaving WWE very soon, if she gets her way.
It's clear Banks is unhappy, from reported backstage WrestleMania incidents to canceled TV appearances, to unfollowing WWE on social media, to rumours that Banks would even refuse to turn up for work.
It's been reported that, following her title loss at WrestleMania, Banks was involved in two altercations backstage - with Dana Brooke allegedly receiving a busted open lip in a backstage scuffle, and another seeing Banks and Bayley take to the locker room floor to lie down and loudly, verbally voice their displeasure, then again outside one of their hotel rooms.
As far as we know, though, Banks is still contracted to WWE, despite now being off of television and sporting brown hair. It's reported that Banks has been allowed to take time away to think about the future, while being at a stalemate with WWE in regards to her status.
#1 Dean Ambrose
Well, one man who is definitely on his way out is Dean Ambrose. Rather than request his release, the former WWE Champion confirmed back in January that he wouldn't be renewing his contract when it expired in April.
“Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good) will not be renewing his contract with WWE when it expires in April. We are grateful and appreciative of all that Dean has given to WWE and our fans. We wish him well and hope that one day Dean will return to WWE."
Ambrose has no active social media accounts, so we've not heard anything from the man himself outwith what's occurred and unfolded on television - but you'd have to assume Ambrose has conducted his business in an orderly fashion due to the send-off WWE has given him over the past month.
Would you like to see any of these stars in AEW or elsewhere? Let us know in the comments.
