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WWE has ruthlessly released some of the biggest names from it's roster to begin the month of May.
In what is fast becoming a post-WrestleMania tradition, WWE has once again cleared house – and this year’s list may be the most staggering yet.
Just days after the curtain fell on WrestleMania 41, the company reportedly released 15 superstars from its roster.
The news, first reported on the evening of 2 May by Fightful Select and later corroborated by PW Insider, sent shockwaves through the wrestling community.
Braun Strowman headlines WWE superstars released in ruthless clear out
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Leading the pack of departures is none other than former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman, whose recent return to action had seen him involved in a pivotal programme with rising star and current United States Champion, Jacob Fatu.
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Strowman’s name carries immense weight, and his release signals a major change in the creative direction.
Also let go were Cora Jade and Shayna Baszler, both of whom were featured prominently in recent storylines.
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Jade, who was an integral piece in the ongoing Bayley vs Roxanne Perez feud, had been positioned as one of the division’s brightest young stars.
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Meanwhile, Baszler, a seasoned veteran and former tag team champion, has long been a fixture of WWE programming and was once considered a cornerstone of the women’s roster.
Damage CTRL, no more?
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Among the other names released is Dakota Kai, a founding member of the critically acclaimed Damage CTRL faction.
With Bayley now seemingly headed into a solo babyface run, Kai’s dismissal leaves the future of the stable in doubt.
Additional departures include tag team standouts Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, fan-favourites like Gigi Dolin and Eddy Thorpe, as well as promising developmental names such as Riley Osborne, Jakara Jackson, and the Gallus trio: Wolfgang, Mark Coffey, and Joe Coffey.
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Oro Mensah also finds himself without a contract.
While WWE is known to trim its roster following the WrestleMania season to reassess creative priorities and budget allocations, this year’s cull has felt particularly ruthless, especially given the calibre and momentum of some affected talent.
With AEW, TNA, and NJPW all expanding, opportunities abound for this freshly released crop of stars, we can expect the rumour mill to spin in overdrive.
Confirmed 15 Talents Released by WWE
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Below is the updated and complete list of the 15 WWE superstars released as of 2 May 2025, including the previously omitted Javier Bernal:
Braun Strowman
Cora Jade
Shayna Baszler
Dakota Kai
Kayden Carter
Katana Chance
Gigi Dolin
Eddy Thorpe
Riley Osborne
Jakara Jackson
Wolfgang
Mark Coffey
Joe Coffey
Oro Mensah
Javier Bernal
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