New details have emerged regarding WWE’s decision to release 16 wrestlers on 2 May, with the company’s long-term developmental strategy and the ages of talent said to be key factors.
According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer, the recent wave of releases, which also includes allowing Shotzi’s contract to quietly expire in the coming months, was largely driven by internal assessments regarding age and developmental progression. Many of those released are in their mid-to-late 30s, with some in their 40s.
Meltzer noted that for the main roster, the decision appears to be about clearing space for emerging talent from NXT, WWE’s developmental brand. With new stars reportedly ready for call-ups, WWE opted to free up roster spots to accommodate fresh faces.
On the NXT side, Meltzer suggested that those let go were likely viewed as not having the potential to progress to the main roster. He wrote:
“It does appear that a lot of the cuts are age related and the idea they didn’t expect them to either make the main roster, or the decision was made some time back not to push them on the main roster and now it’s time to bring people up from NXT to take their places.”
He added that WWE’s developmental model has always favoured rapid progress, stating that the company had long aimed to have talent main roster within two years of signing. Those who failed to meet that timeline, he noted, were likely to be released under this framework.
Exactly Who Was Released From WWE On May 2?
WWE released 16 Superstars on May 2, and also informed one star that they would not be renewing their contract. Those who were released are Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Wolfgang, Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Eddy Thorpe, Riley Osborne, Jakara Jackson, Oro Mensah, Javier Bernal, Dani Palmer, and Shotzi was told her contract would not be renewed.
Recently, Shotzi has admitted to a surprising reaction to her WWE release.