The wrestling world never stops moving, and this week proved that with a fresh batch of talent releases from both WWE and AEW. It’s like a real-life game of musical chairs, except instead of chairs, it’s contracts… and instead of music, it’s the sound of fans gasping on social media.
So, who’s been cut, where might they end up, and what does this mean for wrestling as a whole? Let’s break it all down in a way that’s fun, not depressing—because let’s be honest, we’ll probably see half of them back somewhere else in six months.
WWE’s Unexpected “Spring Cleaning” (In February?!)
Just when WWE stars thought they were safe in their new TKO-powered era, the company decided to make some “business decisions.” And by “business decisions,” we mean a fresh batch of releases that left fans asking, ‘Wait, why them?!’
Here are some of the biggest names who got their walking papers this week:
• Cedric Alexander – After nearly a decade with WWE, the former Cruiserweight Champion is moving on. Given his insane athleticism, don’t be surprised if he shows up in AEW, TNA, or, let’s be real, anywhere he wants.
• Sonya Deville – Despite being a fan favorite, Sonya was let go, likely due to her extended time off from injury. If WWE doesn’t snatch her back when she’s healthy, someone else will.
• Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) with Paul Ellering – These guys were just re-signed last year and never even made it back to TV. Make it make sense, WWE.
• Blair Davenport – The former NXT UK standout barely got time to shine on the main roster before getting cut. She’s already teasing a return to Japan, and honestly? Smart move.
• The Good Brothers (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) – The will they, won’t they couple of WWE. Back, released, back again, released again. Expect them in NJPW next Tuesday.
• Giovanni Vinci – The guy just started making a name for himself in Imperium, and now… gone. Maybe Gunther should have chopped Vince McMahon when he had the chance.
• Isla Dawn – Another talented Scottish star cut way too soon. What is WWE doing?
These releases happened despite WWE’s 10-year, $5 billion Netflix deal and the company’s massive profits. Guess they just had to clear up some room in the budget for more LED screens and CGI dragons.
AEW Joins the Party – Who Got Cut?
Not to be outdone, Tony Khan’s AEW also made some surprising cuts of their own. Now, AEW has been pretty stable when it comes to contracts (they tend to let deals quietly expire instead of making public releases), but this week, a few big names were suddenly MIA from AEW’s roster page.
• Ricky Starks – This one hurts. The guy was on fire, had charisma for days, and was rumored to be frustrated with his booking. Maybe he’s heading to WWE? If so, let’s just hope they don’t rename him “Rick Star.”
• Miro – The former “Rusev Day” king had all the potential in AEW, but… yeah, they never really used him right. Maybe it’s time for a WWE redemption arc?
• Malakai Black – One of AEW’s most unique characters—and now, suddenly gone. Will he head back to WWE, or is he about to start his own underground wrestling cult? (Because, honestly, that would be kind of cool.)
This AEW roster shuffle has fans speculating like crazy—and honestly, that’s half the fun. Will Starks show up on SmackDown? Is Miro about to get another shot at WrestleMania glory? Will Malakai return to NXT and stare into the distance dramatically?
Stay tuned, folks. Wrestling never stops surprising us.
So, What’s Next for These Superstars?
In wrestling, getting released is often just another step in the journey. Some of these stars will get scooped up immediately (Starks to WWE, anyone?), others might take some time to regroup, and a few might pull a Drew McIntyre and come back even bigger.
And if we’ve learned anything, it’s that no one is ever really “gone” in wrestling. Remember Cody Rhodes? Dude went from WWE midcard purgatory to founding AEW to winning the Royal Rumble to headlining WrestleMania.
Moral of the story? Never say never.
Final Thoughts – Wrestling’s Never Boring!
Look, nobody likes to see talent get released, but the silver lining is that we now have a whole batch of free agents ready to shake up the industry. Whether they land in WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, or somewhere completely new, we’re excited to see where they go next.
One thing’s for sure: if you’re a wrestling fan, buckle up. This ride is only getting crazier.
What do you think about these WWE and AEW releases? Who do you want to see show up next, and where? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Style the News for more entertainment and wrestling updates!
