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WWE has released some of its top names along with other superstars over the past 18 months to cut costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit almost every industry, and WWE has tried to continue entertaining the fans watching from home throughout this difficult time.
Rusev, Braun Strowman, Peyton Royce, and Aleister Black are some of the big names who have been let go by the company in recent months.
Many former superstars have had incredible body transformations since their WWE releases. This has shown that they are ready to take to the ring and write a new chapter in their professional lives.
Take a look at the five incredible physical transformations of recently released WWE Superstars.
#5 Dax Harwood was part of The Revival in WWE
Scott Dawson (a.k.a Dax Harwood in AEW) joined WWE in 2012. Along with Dash Wilder (a.k.a Cash Wheeler in AEW), he formed the tag team known as The Revival in WWE.
The Revival competed for several years but the duo's booking seemed questionable at times. They demanded their release from the company and were granted the same in April 2020.
Dax Harwood was often criticized for his physique during his time in WWE. After joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Harwood started to work on his physique and the result of his efforts started showing soon after.
Earlier this year, he posted a transformation photo on Instagram with the following caption:
“Getting real for a second, I’ve always struggled with my weight. At one time, I was actually bulimic. My highest weight was 282lbs, which on a 5’10” frame is not very “attractive”; nor healthy. I’ve tried every diet, but they rarely worked because I’m so afraid of food. I was scared of going backwards. With the help of my friend @ferlanbaileyifbbpro, he’s put me on a healthier path and continues to guide me along even when I question him. More than a coach, he’s a great human being. If you have dietary or workout needs, this is the guy for you! Thank you Ferlan, for all your help. Now all you Internet fans can go back to talking about my dad bod and loose skin!”
Even WWE Superstar Bayley has been vocal about how proud she is of Dax Harwood following his physical transformation.
Harwood and Wheeler are currently one of the top teams in AEW and have received a lot of praise for their work over the years.
They've won the AEW Tag Team Championships under the team name FTR.
#4 EC3 has had two short stints with WWE
Ethan Carter III's (EC3) first WWE stint wasn’t too eventful, while the second one presented him with some opportunities.
After building a good fanbase during his time in WWE NXT, EC3 officially debuted on the main roster in 2019. However, he never received a big push and remained in the lower-mid card before being released from his contract in April 2020.
EC3 had one of the most impressive physiques in the company. His gimmick, “the top one percent,” was built around his looks, physique, and lifestyle. Unfortunately, he could never get ahead with the same.
Since his release from WWE, EC3 has been working hard as a physical trainer. He has made several posts on his social media accounts targeting those who’d like to join him in transforming their physique.
EC3 himself has had an incredible transformation over the past year. He looks much more ripped and has bulked up. It appears as though he has spent all the time away from the road in the gym, and the results are obvious.
Since being let go by WWE, EC3 has worked on the independent circuit and has also performed for Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor (ROH).
#3 Mike Bennett (Mike Kanellis) was released by WWE as part of cost-cutting measures
After joining WWE in 2017, Mike Bennett competed in several big matches for all brands of the company. Bennett remained a lower mid-card superstar for most of his WWE career and never got a big push.
He also competed on 205 Live for some time as a cruiserweight superstar. Unfortunately, Bennett was released by WWE in April 2020, almost three years after he joined the company.
Since his release, Mike Bennett has been putting in a lot of hard work in the gym. He shared a photo of himself on Instagram with the following caption:
“The gym has always been my therapy. It has been my most trusted ally in the most difficult of times. It helped me battle off addiction. It stuck with me through anxiety and depression. It picked me up while grieving the loss of friends. It’s inspired me creatively and pushed me to my limits. I have been working out since I was 15. The gym has always been there for me. It is my sanctuary.”
The work he’s put in is starting to show as the former WWE Superstar looks extremely jacked.
Mike Bennett appears much fitter and bulked up compared to his WWE days, and he has competed for NWA and ROH since being released by Vince McMahon's company.
#2 Buddy Murphy was recently released by WWE
Buddy Murphy signed his first WWE contract in March 2013. The superstar remained part of NXT for some time, where he had a lengthy partnership with Wesley Blake. In 2018, Murphy lost about 25 pounds and asked WWE to let him perform on the 205 Live brand.
Murphy spoke about his decision to join the cruiserweight brand during a 2018 interview.
“I took in upon myself to create an opportunity. I dropped about 25 pounds, I got an opportunity, I took it and now I’m trying to create a brand. I pitched the move (to WWE) and I kind of took it upon myself. When I first said it they said no, but I dropped the weight myself and gave them no excuse.”
Murphy went on to become the WWE Cruiserweight Champion before making the move to the main roster. After some interesting partnerships and rivalries on RAW and SmackDown, he was released from his contract in early June 2021.
Time off the road and limited storylines on television allowed Murphy to bulk up once again. He recently unveiled an incredible physique through a post on Instagram with the following caption:
“Sometimes we gotta look in the mirror and evaluate… I’m evaluating! And the chip on my shoulder is getting bigger! Watch out! I’m the hungriest wolf!"
The Juggernaut looks to be in great shape now and is working on increasing the size of his shoulders.
Murphy will likely be in top shape when he returns to the ring to entertain his fans once again.
#1 Braun Strowman has been putting on even more muscle since his WWE release
Braun Strowman carried the WWE SmackDown brand on his shoulders for some time last year. The Monster Among Men came into the company as a big force and won the Universal Championship at WWE WrestleMania 36.
Strowman’s massive size and physique allowed him to stay on top, often overshadowing many other big men in the company.
Braun Strowman was one of the few surprising names to be let go by the company this year. It looks like he has been putting in even more work on his physique since his release, and posted the following video on Instagram:
“Diet update since I haven’t posted a progress pic in a bit. Trying a clean Ish bulk. After five meals today I was 357lbs in the scale. On my way to 370/375 ish then gonna turn it into granite!!!! Told y’all I ain’t playing around.”
The Monster Among Men looks massive in his new photos and videos. While it seemed like Strowman could not get any bigger, he is surely proving his doubters wrong.
The former Universal Champion has a target in mind and will probably end up putting on more muscle before he returns to the ring.
