WWE officially merged with Endeavor as the Company completes all its obligations in the 2nd week of September. It has been rumored since the announcement of the merger that the new management will go for budget cuts. However, many experts did not think it would come as early as the next. The budget cuts remained a hot topic in WWE during the Covid-19 era. But, this budget cut was more surprising as WWE did it abruptly without prior notice. A former world champion, US champion, and many other WWE superstars were released in the first two waves of budget cuts. Where can those wrestlers possibly go from here? Check our Predicting the Future of Released WWE Stars during recent Budget Cuts article for details.
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Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler was the most prominent name WWE released during the budget cuts. He has worked in the Company for almost two decades and has remained a multi-time champion and a World Championship. His accolades and services are more than many current top superstars in WWE. Dolph was among the best workers and move sellers in WWE. However, his release surprised many in the WWE, wrestling world, and wrestling fans. Dolph Ziggler is one of the most famous names in the wrestling world, so he can go anywhere. But his brother Ryan Nemeth works for AEW, so they can form a tag team there.
Matt Riddle
The next big name was Matt Riddle, a former United States and Tag Team Champion. Matt Riddle’s story is a little different. He had many issues during his five-year WWE run. From multiple DUIs, backstage fights, and recent Airport assault issues, Riddle was not an easy person to work with. Don’t forget his past with UFC because he did not come out on good terms with UFC. Matt Riddle can go back to his mixed martial arts world. In wrestling, his hard-hitting style is most suitable in Japan and Impact.
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Elias
Nobody will ‘Walk with Elias’ now as WWE let him go in the budget cuts. Elias has worked in NXT and WWE Main Roster for almost nine years. However, he could not win any major championships. But, his guitar gimmick connected well with the WWE Universe, and he got thunderous reactions with his guitar performances. Elias also worked as Ezekiel, his kayfabe brother, in WWE in a long feud with Kevin Owens. Elias can work on independent scenes. But his main attraction will be AEW.
Mustafa Ali
WWE could not do justice to Mustafa Ali’s talent. The high flyer was one of the top WWE workers regarding in-ring skills. Ali started in 2016 as a Cruiserweight in the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament and was later signed by WWE to a full-time contract. He has given many classic WWE matches in the past five years and is rated very high in his wrestling skills. He was also a genius in character work, a place WWE did not allow him to explore very often. AEW will be his top priority because Bryan Danielson was one of the admirers of Ali’s work. However, he can also work New Japan Pro Wrestling style matches easily.
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Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin is a veteran wrestler who worked in WWE in different stints. It is good for someone like him to go and explore other promotions because WWE doesn’t want to use him any time soon. Shelton Benjamin is a former multi-time champion in WWE. He has already worked in the New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor. So he can go anywhere to show his skills. However, Impact would be interested in him.
Dana Brooke
Dana Brooke is a former WWE wrestler who could not do much in WWE and NXT other than winning the now-retired WWE 24/7 championship 15 times. She has worked in NXT for the past few months after a six-year stint on the Main Roster. Brooke is not a top attraction in wrestling, so no company might sign him. She was also a model and fitness trainer before coming to WWE. So she can return to that career.
Emma
Emma has been in WWE for two stints but did nothing recognizable. Her sole achievement in WWE was an inaugural challenger to the NXT Women’s Championship. She did not get a proper run on the main roster. Emma previously worked in Impact and also appeared one time in AEW. So, she will surely step foot in either of those two rings.
Rick Boogs
Rick Boogs signed with WWE in 2017 and appeared in NXT and the main roster. He was once a tag team partner with the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura, in WWE, where they faced the Usos on WrestleMania 38. However, Boog’s career was full of injuries, which were not a good sign for a new wrestler. He worked for Evolve on the Indy scene, so he can return there.
Aliyah
Aliyah is another WWE wrestler released from her contract due to her injury concerns. She worked in NXT for many years before joining the main roster. Aliyah is a former Women’s Tag Team Champion. She previously worked in local promotions in different countries. Impact will be a suitable place for her.
Mace and Mansoor
WWE released former Maximum Male Models members from their contracts. Both wrestlers were talented but did not get a proper chance to perform in WWE. Both can work in smaller promotions because they were not mainstream attractions in WWE. Mace also worked as a commentator in WWE, which means he can get a chance as a commentator.
Riddick Moss
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner and Former 24/7 Champions is released from WWE. Moss worked with WWE for almost a decade. He is a talented worker and will get a chance in Impact Wrestling with her real-life partner, Emma (Tennille Dashwood).
Daba Kato
Daba Kato and Commander Azeez are two names of the same performer. He worked as an enforcer throughout his WWE career. Daba Kato previously worked for Evolve, so he can rejoin his former employers.
Top Dolla
Top Dolla got little to work in WWE. However, he is a former football player and also a singer. So he can join these two careers moving forward. His former Hit Row stable mate Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott works under AEW with a ring name Swerve Strickland. So, this relationship can pave the way for Top Dolla to join him in AEW.
WWE also released other enhancements talents from the WWE Performance Center, which has no name or fame. Therefore, they can go anywhere. Let us know in the comment section with your take on our Predicting Future of Released WWE Stars during recent Budget Cuts article.
