WWE has confirmed the release of several WWE Superstars via WWE.com.
Posting a statement, the company confirmed:
“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 as of today April 15, 2021.
“We wish them the best in all of their future endeavors.”
There is no news yet on the reason or rationale behind the releases, but it’s worth noting several WWE Superstars were released at almost exactly the same time last year with the company, as well as backstage workers being furloughed with WWE stating that the move was in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
WWE has come to terms on the release of Samoa Joe, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake.
We wish them all the best in all of their future endeavors. https://t.co/657qwu8wGcpic.twitter.com/gSSxc2JHFf
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2021
Among the names, Samoa Joe and Billie Kay may be the most surprising. Samoa Joe was recently a staple of WWE television in a commentary role following injury. The former NXT Champion was removed from the announce booth in a recent shake-up, with the expectancy being an in-ring return. Billie Kay, meanwhile, was a late addition to the Women’s Tag Team Turmoil match at WrestleMania. Kay’s former tag team partner Peyton Royce , who had recently cut an incredible, heartfelt promo on RAW Talk asking for a chance, was also released.
Last year, it had been rumoured that Mickie James had retired last year, which Inside The Ropes rebuffed. Chelsea Green’s SmackDown debut saw her suffer an arm injury, which she had just recovered from and was readying for a return. Kalisto was seemingly being built for a return with vignettes, while Tucker appeared in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Friday’s SmackDown. Wesley Blake was recently partnered with Steve Cutler, who was released last month. Bo Dallas and Mojo Rawley haven’t been featured at all as of late.