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Title: WWE Releases 16 Superstars in Surprising Roster Purge – Who’s Out?
WWE has made the shocking decision to release 16 superstars from their roster, leaving fans and wrestlers alike reeling. The list of released talent includes Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, Jakara Jackson, Riley Osborne, Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Wolfgang Oro, and Dani Palmer.
The most notable names on the list are Strowman, a former Universal Champion and key figure in the Wyatt Family faction, Baszler, a former NXT Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, and Kai, a talented but injury-prone wrestler who never quite lived up to her potential. The rest of the released talent have also had their share of success within the company.
Strowman, 41, was once used as a strong babyface and put over several up-and-coming stars before him, including Jacob Fatu and Bronson Reed. His release is surprising given his longevity in the company and the fact that he was still an active wrestler. Baszler, 44, never found success on the main roster after being relegated to the role of a sidekick with Pure Fusion Collective. Her release comes as no surprise considering her lack of recent involvement and absence from WWE programming.
Dakota Kai, 36, had been struggling with injuries for years, which prevented her from capitalizing on the momentum she gained when she rose through NXT in 2022. She also failed to establish herself as a singles competitor, despite being part of the Bayley-led Damage Control faction.
On the flip side, Carter and Chance, both 36 and 35 respectively, have had their share of success as WWE Tag Team Champions but never resonated with the audience. Their releases come as no surprise given their recent scarcity on WWE programming.
The NXT roster is also affected by these cuts, with Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin being two notable names released from the black-and-gold brand. Both had a shot at making it to the main roster but ultimately failed to make an impact.
Wrestling fans are left reeling after this sudden purge, and many of the released superstars have taken to social media to express their gratitude for their time in the WWE.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/05/03/wwe-releases-16-superstars-in-surprising-roster-purgewhos-out/
