HeelByNature.com is reader-supported. When you click on links or make purchases through our site, we or our affiliated partners may earn a commission. Additionally, our site features Sponsored Content, which helps us maintain and operate the website.
WWE Parts Ways with Samoa Joe and others
The WWE has released several stars from its roster, including Samoa Joe and Billy Kay.
The 15 April 2021 releases of Joe, Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake come exactly 12 months since the company cut several other stars.
What the WWE said
“WWE has come to terms on the release of Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake. We wish them the best in all of their future endeavours,” read a brief statement from the WWE.”
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle was among those 2020 departures, which also included Rusev, Curt Hawkins, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Heath Slater, Eric Young, Rowan, Sarah Logan, EC3, Aiden English and Lio Rush.
2020 much like 2021
The exits of Angle, Hawkins and others didn’t necessarily affect outcomes in the 2020 WWE – and nor should goodbyes to Green, Dallas and more play a role in 2021. Unibet, for example, still have Roman Reigns priced at 4/5 for the 2021 title. Many other bookmaker sites in AU and other big markets alongside Unibet, such as bet365, also have competitive WWE odds.
Farewell To The IIconics
Royce and Ray were collectively known as The IIconcs. The Australian pair, who were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, effectively disbanded in 2019 to be supplemental picks for the WWE draft.
Kay wrestled as recently as April 2021, partnering Carmella in WrestleMania 37’s Tag Team Turmoil match, which was won by Natalya and Tamina.
“Thank you WWE, Vince McMahon, & HHH for the past 6 years,” Kay said in a fitting farewell statement.
“They have fulfilled my dreams entirely from being a 10-year-old girl that fell in love with WWE from the moment I saw The Rock on TV and now I’m walking away with so many incredible moments from Super Showdown in front of my friends and family, to winning the tag championships at WrestleMania.
“Thank you to every single person in both locker rooms and everyone that I had the pleasure of working with behind the scenes too. I love you all and will never forget your support and all the crazy stories we have together. I will miss you all so much.
“Thank you to all the fans for inviting me into their lives. I hope I made you smile and laugh, that’s all I ever wanted to do. I’ll never forget all the kind words and memories we’ve had together over the years.
“Thank you to my family for always supporting this crazy dream and sacrificing so much for me to achieve it. I honestly wouldn’t have gotten to where I am without all of you. You have my entire heart.”
Fond farewell from Bayley
WWE SmackDown Superstar Bayley, who unlike the others has been retained, shared a video via social media as a tribute to the outgoing Kay and Royce.
This 17 second video sums up what Cassie and Jess mean to the wrestling world. Watching the main event of Wrestlemania live in the crowd because they LOVE WRESTLING. And when the camera hits them….they make the same exact face (without hesitation) to make me laugh. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BX6xrGMmEe
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) April 16, 2021
“This 17 second video sums up what Cassie and Jess mean to the wrestling world. Watching the main event of Wrestlemania live in the crowd because they LOVE WRESTLING. And when the camera hits them….they make the same exact face (without hesitation) to make me laugh,” wrote Bayley.