WWE shocked fans this week with a series of superstar releases on SmackDown. The wrestling world was abuzz with the news of several wrestlers being let go, sending shockwaves through the pro wrestling community. Many wrestlers took to social media to confirm their departure, leaving fans in disbelief.
One trend that emerged from the recent releases was the fact that some superstars have now been released twice in the last five years. This is a rare occurrence in the world of professional wrestling, but it seems to be becoming more common in recent times. Here are five superstars who have faced this unfortunate situation:
1. Braun Strowman: The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman, was released for the second time in his career. After a successful feud with Jacob Fatu, culminating in a loss at WrestleMania 41, Strowman found himself without a job once again. This was the second time he had been released by WWE, having previously been let go in June 2021 before being re-signed in September 2022.
2. Dakota Kai: Dakota Kai, who had been sidelined with a meniscus injury, returned to the ring with high hopes of a singles run. However, her time back in the spotlight was short-lived as she was released shortly after a heartfelt post about missing wrestling. This was the second time she had been released by WWE, having previously been let go in April 2022 before being re-signed in July 2022.
3. Akam and Rezar: The Authors of Pain, Akam and Rezar, were released from WWE in February 2025, marking the second time they had been let go by the company. Their release came as a shock to many fans, as they had previously held the RAW Tag Team Championships and had been a dominant force in the tag team division.
4. Tegan Nox: Tegan Nox, formerly known as Nixon Newell, was released from WWE in November 2024, marking the second time she had been let go by the company. Despite a promising start on the main roster, she found herself without a job once again, citing creative differences as the reason for her release.
The repeated releases of these superstars highlight the volatile nature of the wrestling industry and the uncertainty that comes with being a professional wrestler. As these talented individuals navigate their next steps in the industry, fans can only hope to see them back in the ring where they belong.
