WWE has released multiple high profile WWE Superstars including multiple-time champion John Morrison alongside former NXT North American Champion Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott.
As first broken by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, WWE has released the following WWE Superstars on November 18th:
- John Morrison
- Top Dolla
- Ashante Adonis
- Isaiah Swerve Scott
- Tegan Nox
- Drake Maverick
- Shane Thorne
- Jaxson Ryker
Fightful has learned that WWE have released John Morrison, Top Dolla, Ashante Adonis, Isaiah Swerve Scott, Tegan Nox, Drake Maverick, Shane Thorne, and Jaxson Ryker.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) November 19, 2021
In a follow tweet Sean Ross Sapp would also reveal that John Laurinaitis cited budget cuts via e-mail as the justification behind the releases.
John Laurinaitis cited budget cuts as the reason within the e-mail
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) November 19, 2021
This is not the first set of WWE releases this year with 72 previous WWE Superstars released in 2021, previously Denise Salcedo had listed those released from WWE in 2020 and 2021, although she notes on social media that some producers and backstage staff are missing from the lists. Still, there are 72 names listed for 2021 and added to 2020’s list, there are an incredible 125 names listed as leaving WWE in the past 2 years.
LIST: 2020 + 2021 WWE Releases.
Again sorry in advance if I forgot anyone. pic.twitter.com/pwaROuhKkj
— Denise 'Hollywood' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) November 5, 2021
Currently, on WWE.com the on-screen talent roster stands at 224 names across the companies four brands. However, this does also include broadcasters such as Michael Cole and rarely seen characters such as Vince McMahon.
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.
Inside The Ropes will continue to update this story as it develops.