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The year 2023 has brought significant changes to the world of professional wrestling, particularly within WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). As the industry continues to evolve, WWE has been no exception, making headlines for its series of releases, departures, and changes in its roster. This article will provide an overview of the WWE releases in 2023, shedding light on the wrestlers who have bid farewell to the company and the implications of these departures.
January 11 – Sudu Shah:
The year started with WWE announcing the release of NXT Level Up announcer Sudu Shah. While not a prominent in-ring talent, Shah’s departure marked the beginning of a year that would see more significant releases in the coming months.
March Departures – Sarray and Naomi:
In March, the wrestling world was surprised by the departures of Sarray and Naomi. Sarray, a promising talent, had been making waves in NXT before her departure. Naomi, on the other hand, had been with WWE for several years and was a former SmackDown Women’s Champion. Her departure was met with speculation, as it seemed to come after months of uncertainty.
April and September – Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler:
The release trend continued in April when Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler requested their releases. These wrestlers had their requests granted, and they were subsequently written off television in September. Their exits served as a reminder that not all departures from WWE are involuntary; some wrestlers choose to seek opportunities elsewhere.
July – Aleah James:
July brought another departure as Aleah James confirmed that she had been released from WWE. Her release followed months of speculation, and her statement on social media brought clarity to her status with the company.
August – Lacey Evans:
In August, former SmackDown Women’s Title contender Lacey Evans claimed on social media that she was no longer with WWE. Her exit marked another significant departure, leaving fans and pundits to wonder about the circumstances surrounding her departure.
WWE Performance Center Recruit – Houston Miller:
Throughout the year, WWE also made cuts in its developmental territory. One notable release was WWE Performance Center recruit Houston Miller, whose release occurred at an undetermined point in the year. This highlighted that WWE was not only trimming its main roster but also reevaluating its talent pool at the developmental level.
September 21 – Mass Release Day:
Perhaps the most significant day for WWE releases in 2023 was September 21. On this day, WWE made sweeping changes to its roster, releasing a substantial number of talents. The list of released individuals included Alexis Gray, Aliyah, Brooklyn Barlow, Bryson Montana, Dabba-Kato, Dana Brooke, Daniel McArthur, Dolph Ziggler, Elias, Emma, Ikemen Jiro, Kevin Ventura-Cortes, Mace, Mansoor, Mustafa Ali, Quincy Elliott, Rick Boogs, Riddick Moss, Shanky, Shelton Benjamin, Top Dolla, Yulisa Leon, and Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald. This mass release sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and signaled WWE’s commitment to restructuring its roster.
September 22 and 23 – Matt Riddle and Melanie Brzezenski:
The release spree continued with Matt Riddle being released on September 22, adding to the list of notable departures in 2023. Melanie Brzezenski followed suit, being released on September 23.
Full List Of WWE Releases In 2023
- January 11 – Sudu Shah
- March 9 – Sarray
- March 24 – Naomi
- April 3 / September – Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler
- July 31 – Aleah James
- August – Lacey Evans
- WWE Performance Center recruit Houston Miller – Release date undetermined
- September 21:
- Alexis Gray
- Aliyah
- Brooklyn Barlow
- Bryson Montana
- Dabba-Kato
- Dana Brooke
- Daniel McArthur
- Dolph Ziggler
- Elias
- Emma
- Ikemen Jiro
- Kevin Ventura-Cortes
- Mace
- Mansoor
- Mustafa Ali
- Quincy Elliott
- Rick Boogs
- Riddick Moss
- Shanky
- Shelton Benjamin
- Top Dolla
- Yulisa Leon
- Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald
- September 22 – Matt Riddle
- September 23 – Melanie Brzezenski
In conclusion, 2023 has been a year of significant changes within WWE, marked by a series of releases, departures, and restructuring efforts. These departures have not only impacted the company’s roster but have also raised questions about the future direction of WWE and the opportunities awaiting the released talents in the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling. As fans and wrestlers alike adapt to these changes, one thing remains certain: the world of wrestling will continue to evolve, providing new opportunities and challenges for those who call it their passion.
