The World Wrestling Entertainment roster is perhaps as stacked in the spring of 2018 as it has ever been in the long history of the promotion. WrestleMania 34 will feature former Ultimate Fighting Championship title-holder Ronda Rousey, a match between Shinsuke Nakamura and A.J. Styles, a pair of battle royals and, most likely, another coronation of a man supposed to be the company’s next big babyface to follow in the steps of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock and John Cena. As great as the roster is heading into WrestleMania, there are rumors of additional stars and big names joining the promotion later this spring and during the summer. There are also at least a handful of individuals likely to receive call-ups from NXT to the main roster not long after WrestleMania.

Unfortunately, there are only so many hours of live and fresh WWE programming available on television and the WWE Network each week. This means that a finite amount of wrestlers will receive opportunities to work in front of audiences underneath the WWE umbrella at any given time. New signings and new call-ups will, understandably, result in some recognizable stars and names being released at some point in 2018. Others on the roster may choose to not remain with the company on their own, and some who are linked with making returns to the WWE won’t re-sign for one reason or another. In all, the rest of 2018 should be an exciting time for pro wrestling fans around the world regardless of what you feel about WWE storylines before WrestleMania.

20 Cesaro - Released 

via wwe.com

WWE fans finally quieted down pertaining to Cesaro’s WWE involvement. After a decent feud with Sheamus the two joined forces and worked brilliantly together as a tag team. However, a recent WrestleMania appearance once again proved how little the WWE thinks of Cesaro. He was squashed by Braun Strowman in an embarrassing defeat. For Sheamus, such a loss wasn’t all that bad given all he’s accomplished but for Cesaro, it was another low light on his resume.

If the WWE doesn’t find anything else for the Swiss Superman, he might be out the door. We can even see Cesaro opt to leave, however, a release seems more likely given the way Vince feels about this particular talent. He’ll find work elsewhere quite easily if this is to be true.

19 Becky Lynch: Won’t Re-Sign

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There is seemingly going to come a point where the Four Horsewomen from mixed martial arts, headed by Ronda Rousey, will face the WWE’s version of the Four Horsewomen. What happens after that, though? Charlotte has clearly been positioned as the top woman who has made it to the main roster from NXT.

Bayley and Sasha Banks are involved in a storyline that resembles the feud between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Where does this leave Becky Lynch, who has become somewhat of a forgotten figure? Lynch is in limbo, and she doesn’t seem destined for anything meaningful in the foreseeable future. There could come a time either in 2018 or 2019 when she thinks against re-signing and, instead, chooses to go out on her own.

18 Wesley Blake: Released

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The WWE has a long history of tag team workers separating for legitimate and logical storyline reasons, only then for one of them to become a star on his own while the other flounders and is eventually released. Buddy Murphy, a former NXT Tag Team Champion, has found new life for his WWE career as part of the 205 Live show and the Cruiserweight division. Wesley Blake, Murphy’s former partner, is a member of an NXT duo that isn’t featured on television and that isn’t doing much of note in developmental.

The NXT roster will need to feature new and fresh names following the Takeover show that will occur on WrestleMania Saturday. Some names, such as Blake, will inevitably be released to make room for those wrestlers.

17 Goldberg: Won’t Re-Sign

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Goldberg’s first run in the WWE over a decade ago did not go as planned, but his return to the company that began in 2016 became one of the better comebacks in recent memory. He won the biggest championship in the company, and he was able to work a WrestleMania title bout against Brock Lesnar. Following that loss to The Beast, Goldberg hinted that he could, one day, compete in the WWE once more before hanging his boots up for good. That probably isn’t the best idea. He’s 51 years old, he’s already accomplished all there is and he has openly discussed how difficult training for WWE action is at his age. It may seem like a good idea, on paper, but taking bumps when in your 50s is no fun.

16 Aiden English: Released

via wwe.com

Much of what was written about Paul Ellering also holds true for Aiden English as it pertains to his future on the main roster. The “Rusev Day” gimmick has seemingly run its course, and there are even indications that fans inside of arenas are already somewhat done with it, perhaps after realizing that Rusev isn’t going to be pushed as anything other than a mid-card star, at best, regardless of how much he is cheered during events.

English has played his role rather well, but the WWE’s history of treating talkers who aren’t anything special in the ring suggests his run on SmackDown may be running out, especially if the promotion is going to add multiple names to the blue brand following WrestleMania. English probably deserves better than what he is going to get from the WWE this year.

15 Daniel Bryan: Won’t Re-Sign

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To understand why Daniel Bryan is atop the list of WWE stars who may not re-sign in 2018, you have to know his injury history, how the company treated him over the years and, last but not least, realize that he is, theoretically, able to go out on his own and work on the independent scene come September.

Assuming Bryan remains healthy and the company doesn’t trust to make him one of the biggest babyface stars on either Raw or SmackDown, he could choose to follow in the footsteps of the Young Bucks, Cody and others and earn money wrestling in Ring of Honor and overseas. Bryan would unquestionably make great money, and he could even sell buildings out as a top draw. Vince McMahon, Triple H and others within WWE better be careful with how they treat Bryan over the next six months.

14 Sonya Deville: Released

via thechairshot.com

Some out there may feel that it is way too premature to assume that Sonya Deville could be among the WWE stars released from the company in 2018. The Absolution trio that features Deville is apparently already stuck in neutral due to the top star of that stable suffering an injury that may threaten her career (more on that later), and neither of the two women currently cleared to wrestle in WWE rings are anything special as performers.

Deville also happens to be playing the gimmick of a mixed martial artist, which isn’t going to work among fans who are seeing Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler presented as actual dominant fighters with real backgrounds. Some of this may be nothing more than bad luck, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the company give up on Deville before 2018 ends.

13 Batista: Won’t Re-Sign

via forbes.com

It was rumored in March 2018 that Batista could re-sign with the WWE ahead of accepting an invitation to the Hall of Fame. That didn’t happen, reportedly because Batista could be talked into another run as an active performer on either Raw or SmackDown. Batista, likely, would have to sign a deal that was financially worth it at a time when he has found much success away from pro wrestling, and he would likely be interested in making some sort of agreements about the booking of his character.

Those reasons could be why he won’t re-sign. Batista is no longer the draw he was in his prime, as other babyface and heel performers have replaced him. It’s not worth it to either Batista or the WWE to make any big concessions in 2018. Both entities have moved on.

12 The Brian Kendrick: Released

via stillrealtous.com

It appears as if the WWE is serious about making the 205 Live show and Cruiserweight division something fans should actively want to follow on a weekly basis. Part of the company’s new approach to this product is adding recognizable names from NXT to the Cruiserweights. While this is a great idea and has helped to make 205 Live one of the better products in all of WWE since Triple H reportedly took control of that show, it seems inevitable some performers who are signed to work in this division will be released later in 2018.

The Brian Kendrick already has a role with the WWE outside of the Cruiserweight division as a trainer if he wants it. WWE releasing him from the active roster to bring him back to developmental wouldn’t be the worst idea.

11 Baron Corbin: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

Remember when it felt as if the WWE was on the verge of pushing Baron Corbin as the next big heel worthy of winning championships and, possibly, becoming a main-eventer on either Raw or SmackDown? Corbin has fallen back into the mid-card picture quickly, and opportunities to become a big-name heel have been grabbed by Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe and others.

A former football player, Corbin has the size and the look supposedly coveted by those who run WWE. If we’re right and WWE has given-up on his potential to draw money, we can envision him not re-signing and trying to make it outside of the WWE as have others who have proven that they can get over in Ring of Honor and smaller promotions.

10 Hideo Itami: Released

via wwe.com

This continues to be a popular pick among wrestlers who may be released in 2018 for numerous reasons. Hideo Itami has seemingly been cursed by some outside force since joining the WWE, as injury issues prevented him from rising to the top of the NXT brand as a babyface or a heel before others took his place. Itami eventually joined 205 Live and the Cruiserweight division, but he isn’t doing much of anything outside of having tag team matches and, maybe, becoming part of a new division on that show if the WWE introduces Tag Team Titles.

Itami seeing the writing on the wall and negotiating his release from the company en route to working on the independent scene and overseas may be the right career move for him to make later in 2018.

9 Mickie James: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

Mickie James will always fondly be remembered by WWE fans for multiple classic feuds, such as the one involving Trish Stratus, and also for her run in Impact Wrestling. James’ return to the WWE gave us one great match in NXT and also some solid segments on both Raw and SmackDown, but the veteran of the industry should probably realize that she will be out of entertaining things to do once the company splits her from Alexa Bliss, potentially before the end of April.

The 38-year-old who is a mother isn’t getting a run with a championship on either brand. The reasons she would have for making a graceful exit from the company outweigh any she could have for wanting to re-sign down the road.

8 Kassius Ohno: Released

via wwe.com

The possibility exists that Kassius Ohno could potentially follow The Brian Kendrick and become a trainer in NXT and developmental if the WWE decided to release Ohno at some point in 2018. Ohno could, and probably should, be given a chance to work on the main roster before the WWE moves on from him, but we also cannot ignore that it’s unlikely he’ll ever receive a fair chance to show what he can do because of his look and size.

That’s a waste of such a talented worker, but it’s also how the WWE has operated in recent memory. Unless Triple H or others can convince Vince McMahon to give Ohno a chance, it’s a safe guess he could be released later in 2018 once other names are added to the NXT show.

7 Neville: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

Wrestling fans who concentrate most or all of their industry-related efforts following the WWE have been holding onto hope that Neville will eventually rejoin the 205 Live show and Cruiserweight division or link up with either Raw or SmackDown. While there is still a chance he and the promotion could erase whatever creative differences have kept them apart for months, it seems as if Neville would be working at WrestleMania, the biggest show of the year, if he was on the verge of embracing wrestling for the WWE in the foreseeable future.

Neville obviously wants more than to be a figure on a 205 Live show that airs only on WWE Network. He probably realizes he could have many amazing matches on the independent scene and overseas, and, thus, he doesn’t have to re-sign.

6 Jinder Mahal: Released

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The time of Jinder Mahal being pushed as a main-event star in the WWE ended well before WrestleMania, and A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and others have taken his spot. Mahal has been relegated to the mid-card ahead of the biggest show of the year, and those who follow the product have little reason to believe he is going to receive any real push later in 2018.

Unlike the better wrestlers on the main roster, Mahal isn’t a five-star worker, nor is he one of the more compelling promos signed by the WWE at the moment. With the WWE needing roster spots on both Raw and SmackDown for NXT call-ups and some returning stars who could re-sign ahead of post-WrestleMania season, Mahal may find himself released.

5 Kurt Angle: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

Kurt Angle should probably see the writing on the wall following WrestleMania 34. He will never compete in a bigger match than the one that involved him teaming with Ronda Rousey to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in the future, and history tells us that Raw babyface authority figures will routinely be humiliated by The Authority until they are replaced by somebody else. Angle is a living legend of the industry who has won all there is to win.

He doesn’t need to re-sign with the WWE to prove his worth to anybody, and there isn't anything meaningful left for him to do once his current contract expires. Angle could probably use the rest and a break after spending a year traveling around the country and working a handful of matches.

4 Zack Ryder: Released

via wwe.com

Here is one that we, sadly, have been waiting to see for some time. It almost feels as if it was in a different life when Zack Ryder worked to get himself over as a babyface via an entertaining and unique YouTube show before the company teased pushing him as a star until it yanked the rug out from underneath him. Now, Ryder is essentially a background figure on the SmackDown brand who has no real future on the Raw roster and who is taking the spot of somebody who could either be called-up from NXT or signed from a different promotion.

We hope Ryder gets the opportunities he deserves if he is released by the WWE in 2018. He’s a wrestler who should’ve been treated better by the WWE.

3 CM Punk: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

CM Punk will always be viewed as a WWE star in the eyes of fans who want to see him make a return to the company and pro wrestling. Don’t hold your breaths waiting for him to re-sign with the WWE even if he ends up losing his second UFC bout that is scheduled to occur before the end of the year.

There are currently no hints that Punk has any regrets about walking away from the WWE and the industry, in general, to pursue a career in MMA, and he reportedly has been smart with his money and doesn’t need one final payday from his former place of employment. Yes, Punk could make some easy cash by re-signing with the WWE later on in 2018. Money isn’t everything for everybody.

2 Paige: Released

via wwe.com

Paige officially retired after an emotional speech on Raw. Most of us thought that was the end for Paige and the WWE though once again, we were swerved into thinking so. Shane McMahon announced that the former Divas Champion is now the GM of SmackDown prolonging her run with the company.

Most fans were thrilled to hear about the announcement, she'll fit in beautifully. However, with an in-ring career out of the question, one can imagine such a position is only temporary. Some also believe it was done due to the fact that she has a film coming out created by The Rock. Perhaps once the press coverage is over with, she'll be brushed aside - we hope we're wrong however as she deserves more.

1 Alicia Fox: Won’t Re-Sign

via wwe.com

Alicia Fox is one of several members of WWE roster some may have forgotten is still working for the company. Fox has been sidelined for the majority of the year because of an injury, and her roster spot has, on paper, been taken by others who were called up to Raw and SmackDown following WrestleMania 34.

It appears Fox may already be thinking about not re-signing, as it was reported that she argued with Travis Browne, the real-life husband of Ronda Rousey, over WrestleMania weekend. Taking part in any verbal altercation with the spouse of the biggest star of your division could be an indication that Fox has one foot out the door. She may not actively leave the company once she’s healthy, but it’s difficult to imagine her wanting to re-sign at the moment.