WWE News

WWE Shockingly Releases 18 Superstars – Social Media Reacts

By Liam Stewart. Published 5th November 2021.
Karrion Kross WWE

Wrestlers and fans alike have taken to social media to react to WWE’s shocking release of nearly 20 WWE Superstars including former WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax and former WWE NXT Champion Keith Lee.

News broke on November 4th that WWE had released a plethora of beloved WWE Superstars ranging including names from NXT, SmackDown and Monday Night Raw.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and PWInsider revealed that the following names had been released by the WWE.

Additionally, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful revealed that ‘budget cuts’ was cited by WWE officials as the reason behind the recent string of WWE releases.

Fans and talent took to social media to share their support to those released with former WWE Superstars such as Bronson Reed telling those released to keep their heads up because there is more to wrestling than the WWE in 2021.

Franky Monet, who was one of the first names confirmed, took to social media to confirm that in 30-days following her non compete clause expiring Taya Valkyrie will return.

Ember Moon, who subtly reacted to her release before being confirmed by PWInsider, took to Twitter to say simply ‘all I can do is laugh.’

Mia Yim also took to Twitter sharing an iconic clip from the 1995 film Friday, stating in the process that she has a 90-day non-compete clause but after that, she is ready to get back to business.

Scarlett Bordeaux would announce the return of ‘The Smokeshow’ in just 30-days when her WWE non-compete clause expires.

Fans took to social media to share their shock at the release of former NXT Champion Keith Lee whom many regards as one of the best in-ring competitors in the world currently.

Throughout 2021 WWE have significantly trimmed their talent roster with multiple big names leaving the company. This followed on from the previous year whereas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Superstars were also released. Some stars such as Bryan Danielson chose to leave of their own volition while others were let go in multiple batches of releases across the year.

The first round of releases came in April with the likes of Samoa Joe, Mickie James and Chelsea Green departing the company. In the weeks that followed Samoa Joe was re-hired, while Paul Wight, aka The Big Show, left the company in February.

This was followed in June by arguably the most shocking round of releases, as Braun Strowman, Aleister Black (Malakai Black) Lana (CJ Perry) and Ruby Riott (Ruby Soho) left the company. Later in the month, more departures followed, this time with Tony Nese, Tyler Breeze and Ariya Daivari heading out the door.

The final large scale round of releases came in August with several NXT Superstars exiting what was the black and gold brand. It later came to light that releases were the beginnings of a revamp which has since seen the launch of NXT 2.0. On this occasion, Mercedes Martinez, Bronson Reed and Bobby Fish were among the departures.

Elsewhere, Bray Wyatt was released at the end of July, while Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole made their way to AEW after their contracts expired with the former set to challenge Miro for an opportunity at the AEW World Championship at Full Gear.

Inside The Ropes will continue to update this story as it develops, a full list of names released can be found on ITRWrestling.com

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