WWE has shocked the world of professional wrestling with a ton of superstars releases amid SmackDown. This comes just a day after the company released 10 to 12 top staff members. While releases happen every year, the nature and execution has led to major backlash from WWE fans.
WWE fans angry for latest set of releases
WWE has released 15 superstars on May 2nd 2025 while SmackDown is on the air. The released superstars are Dakota Kai, Gigi Dolin, Cora Jade, Braun Strowman, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Shayna Baszler, Eddy Thorpe, Riley Osborne, Jakara Jackson, Oro Mensah, Javier Bernal and Gallus (Wolfgang, Joe & Mark Coffey).
It’s simple math: seven of the 13 superstars released are women, which the WWE universe noticed and did not hold back on voicing their opinion. One fan noted, “These WWE releases are crazy. They are just eliminating the whole women’s tag team roster. They were so good why let them go.”
These WWE releases are crazy. They are just eliminating the whole women’s tag team roster. They were so good why let them go pic.twitter.com/WOMSTnsH5e
— Shuckleteer (@Shuckleteer)
While another fan emphasized how the company systematically obliterated the women’s midcard division. “JFC, the WWE women’s midcard has just been OBLITERATED with these releases…”
JFC, the WWE women's midcard has just been OBLITERATED with these releases… pic.twitter.com/T0NTu3kp5H
— Josh 💛⚪💜♠ (@blackice397)
Another fan expressed helplessness over the releases and even asked why the majority of them were women. “All these WWE releases happening rn and this one hurts the most and why are all the releases women smh”
All these WWE releases happening rn and this one hurts the most 😭 and why are all the releases women smh https://t.co/1s6lvOcACq
— David (@mrdavidev)
The fans are absolutely devastated with the releases and rightly so. These superstars gave it their blood, sweat and tears, and most of them were regularly used on TV as well. But in the end, the company has done what is best for their business.
Another fan took to X and expressed how hurt she was with the recent set of releases. “I want to say something but I’m not going to…I knew for a while this was going to happen. Highly disappointed with wwe right now for some of these releases.”
I want to say something but I’m not going to…I knew for a while this was going to happen.💔 Highly disappointed with wwe right now for some of these releases.
— 𝐑𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥✧ (@STORMSBRUTALITY)
Another fan just simply noted how brutal the releases were, and he is not wrong. Majority of the superstars were household names and fans tuned in to see them every week, especially the likes of Braun Strowman, and Cora Jade, to name a couple. “Damn those WWE releases are brutal”
Damn those WWE releases are brutal
— kdog (@ligmacooks4)
People losing their jobs can never be cool or accepted as reality. However, it is the name of the game. Releases have been a part and parcel of the WWE circuit for a long time. However, what hurts fans this time round is the company making record profits but not renewing the contracts of talented superstars.
But as they say, talent is undeniable, and each released superstar is undeniable. Superstars from Raw and SmackDown have a 90-day non-compete clause, while NXT superstars have a 30-day non-compete.