Now that 2024 is coming to an end, WWE’s annual report describes the numerous dismissals it had to make this year. Whether it be feed or talent, a number of individuals have walked out of the company, causing a shift. Specific WWE releases of 2024 have been interesting, such as prominent names such as Jinder Mahal, Xia Li, and Veer Mahaan at the beginning of 2024, and this was followed by other releases like losses suffered by Gable Steveson and Becky Lynch in May and June, to name a few.
Moreover, as employees’ contracts were not extended and some were fired, some employees of the WWE decided to quit while some others left irrespective of the contract signs or other reasons. It has been so severe in the WWE that the owner and head of the family involved, Vince McMahon, and some other top talent, commentator Kevin Patrick, have made headlines.
In the throes of all of these WWE releases of 2024, the question as to what awaits the superstars outside of the WWE remains very interesting to both fans and industry analysts, with a lot of them already predicting that certain ones are readying themselves to aim even higher visions.
Here’s a revised list of WWE releases in 2024 with their respective dates:
- April 19: Jinder Mahal, Xyon Quinn, Xia Li, Sanga
- April 20: Von Wagner
- April 22: Cameron Grimes
- April 23: Yulisa León
- May 3: Darrell Mason, Vlad Pavlenko, Ezekiel Balogun, Kiyah Saint, Emma Diaz, Valentina Feroz, Keyshawn Leflore, Trey Bearhill, Julian Baldi, Boa, and Drew Gulak
- May 4: Gable Steveson
- May 5: Jerry Lawler, Becky Lynch
- June 1: Dominik Dijakovic
- June 27: Ricochet
- June 29: Damon Kemp
- July 9: Damon Kemp
- August 16: Bobby Lashley, Tamina, MVP
- September 2: Odyssey Jones
- November 2: Indi Hartwell, Tegan Nox, Baron Corbin
Breaking Down the Shocking WWE Releases of 2024: Key Names and Future Prospects
- Ricochet
Ricochet left WWE in June 2024 with overwhelming love from his fans over the years. During the time he was given the championship and was known as the fastest WWE Speed Champion in history, he dropped the ball before being removed from all WWE activities. He is a former high flyer who has recently found his way to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
- Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley, a seasoned wrestler, emerged victorious in several WWE reigns, namely from 2005 to 2008 and then from 2018 to 2024. However, under the latter circumstances, he had become a victor for the most number of times, notwithstanding the fact that he had defeated Brock Lesnar multiple times in WWE and had a good spell with the Hurt Business group. All that changed on August 16th, 2024, when WWE released him.
- Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal was let go by WWE on April 19, 2024, marking the termination of his second job in the organization. As of the earlier months of 2024, he continued to exhibit some spotlight moments, such as a feature with The Rock and a championship bout with Seth Rollins, but afterwards, he hardly made any appearance. Many believe that his lack of exposure led to his ultimate release. Initially, Mahal had released an “I Quit” statement on his social media, but it was later rectified that he had been released from WWE rather than leaving on his own accord.
- Gable Steveson
Gable Steveson’s premature departure from WWE in May 2024 took many by surprise. Having signed a pioneering name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal back in 2021, he was widely thought to be a talent for the future. Yet he hardly appeared on screen, and only when he did, his story seldom varied from his focus on freestyle wrestling. This event led to a clash of ideas with WWE when they prohibited him from taking part in a tournament. Having lost its protective instinct over him, WWE resolved to release the services of Steveson, eventually diminishing his legacy in the wrestling sphere.
- Odyssey Jones
Odyssey Jones is well renowned for his great on-stage abilities and the aura he carries along with him. Having come to their fold in 2019, he stayed with WWE until the year 2024, when his service was cut short in the month of September.
- Von Wagner
WWE released its five-year relationship with Von Wagner as an existing member in April 2024. Despite being a noticeable part of NXT, a potential move to Raw or SmackDown went amiss for reasons known within WWE corridors. His being let go by WWE was unexpected because he was projected for the forthcoming draft. Being one of the releases from WWE in 2024, he’s currently aspiring to independent options.
FAQs
Why did WWE release so many superstars in 2024?
The WWE Superstars that were released in 2024 were mostly due to strategy changes related to the composition of the workplace, as well as just the fact of the non-renewal of contracts or new developments. A few of these stars might not have been given enough attention by the authorities or management. Others just did not seem to fit in with the company’s current plans, hence the termination of the contract.
Can released wrestlers join other promotions?
Yes, typically, after their non-compete agreements expire, many former wrestling stars of WWE and other wrestling companies become free agents, which allows them to work in such places as AEW, Impact Wrestling, or on an independent basis.
Are all WWE releases permanent?
Membership agreements can be complex and costly to terminate, some agreements are strictly for a temporary duration and others are only negotiated for a period, hence the possibility of coming back on board under different terms exists.
Conclusion
The list of WWE stars released in 2024 has caused a significant shift in the business as many big names left the company, leaving fans and even analysts in astonishment. The WWE releases of 2024 have produced one of the most exquisite illustrations of the long-lived strive towards change and refreshing the staff of the company without losing face, which is bound to lead to future strides in the area of wrestling.
