While the company may have a new owner, one of WWE's longest-running traditions is unfortunately continuing. The company tends to go through the roster cut process at least once a year. This year is no different. Following the acquisition by TKO Group, WWE laid off a number of employees last week who worked outside of the ring. Now, the company has turned to decreasing the number of wrestlers it employs.
While WWE has reevaluated its roster over the years, the COVID pandemic led to dozens of releases between 2020 and 2022. Will 2023 follow that same trajectory? Thus far, the list of talent released is quite a bit smaller than in recent years. However, there is no telling how many more rounds of cuts the company will experience before the end of 2023.
Interestingly, the roster cuts come the same day as the announcement of a new TV rights deal for WWE, which will see Smackdown move to the USA Network in an agreement that is worth over $1 billion for a five-year term. In the aftermath of the announcement, TKO Group Holdings' stock fell. While the move will take Smackdown off of broadcast TV, moving it to cable, there will also be four annual primetime specials airing on NBC.
In the meantime, among the cuts are a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, a longtime veteran, two different female superstars, and a performer who's actually played two different roles. Fightful was the first to report on the releases, save for those announced by the talent themselves on social media. Take a look at everyone cut by WWE so far this year and you can be rest assured that we will keep this list updated, should the company release any other superstars from their contracts.
1. Mustafa Ali
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2016
2. Rick Boogs
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2017
3. Aliyah
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2015
4. Elias
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2014
*Elias also portrayed his own brother, Ezekiel.
5. Riddick Moss
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2014
6. Top Dolla
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2020
7. Shelton Benjamin
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2002-2010, 2017
8. Emma
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2012-2017, 2022
9. Dolph Ziggler
Released: September 21
Started with WWE: 2004
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