Following the purchase of WCW, getting a WWE release wasn’t the easiest reality to deal with. Wrestlers that were shown the door had limited options. The indie scene wasn’t as booming while New Japan wasn’t as popular either. TNA was the only alternative and it became a graveyard for so many ex-WWE stars.

These days, that has all changed. A WWE release doesn’t mean the end of the road. In fact, we’ve seen multiple Superstars return from a release and capture major championships. In this article, every recently released WWE star remains in the business. Some are enjoying immense success with the likes of ROH and New Japan. Others, might be struggling with some of the lower tier indie promotions. We also have a few cases of recently released wrestlers working on the independent scene sporadically while taking on other interests at the same time. We’ll feature all these types of situations throughout the article. For some, the hope is to make a WWE return someday better than ever. However, others might be more than content with their current status and in fact, a WWE return isn’t even on their agendas.

Without further ado here are 24 recently released WWE stars; where are they now? Enjoy the article folks and like always be sure to share it with a friend. We begin with a female talent enjoying quite the run away from the WWE. Let’s begin!

24 Emma – Ring of Honor

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At times a release can be a blessing in disguise. That is certainly the case for the former main roster and NXT star Emma. She really wasn’t doing much during her final run with the company. Since her release that has all changed. Emma remains busier than ever working for ROH along with various other promotions. Not only is her schedule packed but she’s also getting to headline events, something that wasn’t going to happen during her previous WWE run:

“I’ve probably been busier than I was before. It’s been a really fun journey so far, and I feel energized and alive again for my career with wrestling. It’s taken a long time to get there, but women’s wrestling is really having a boom right now.” (Source Sportzwiki)

23 Neville – Dragon Gate

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It is already more than a year ago since Neville walked out on the WWE. He wasn’t pleased with his booking. A potential loss to Enzo Amore in a lumberjack match caused the end of his WWE run. All of his built of frustrations accumulated during several months. He was finally granted a release most recently.

He hasn’t wasted any time since the departure. Neville returned to his old stomping grounds with Dragon Gate. He’s back to using his familiar alias, PAC. The former Cruiserweight Champion recently joined the heel stable R.E.D. alongside Yasushi Kanda. Neville picked up the victory in his return match hitting a devastating Red Arrow for the win.

22 Ryback – Lower Level Indie Scene

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"I have not had any discussions; not from my end or their end. It is just not even in my mind right now. Not to say years from now it won't be, I just don't know. I am focused on growing my brand and my business right now.” (Source: Wrestlinginc)

He was once slated as a potential WWE Champion. That would sour throughout his career as the Big Guy became nothing more than a decent mid-card presence. A statement about equal pay cost him his job with the company. Ryback isn’t making waves in the business these day taking on lower tier indie gigs every now and then.

21 Alberto Del Rio – Independent Circuit

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He returned to the WWE in 2015 and by 2016 he was already out the door. His comeback run was a lackluster one to say the least. He was given a strong opportunity earlier on defeating John Cena and winning the US Title. The belt was hotter than ever at the time. Del Rio’s run with the strap completely sunk the belt's momentum.

Del Rio would eventually ask for a release. A lot of that had to do with his card booking. He hasn’t had the greatest things to say about the WWE since his release; however he does maintain a decent relationship with Vince. These days he’s appearing sporadically on the indie scene along with some MMA training for a potential match down the road.

20 Chris Jericho – New Japan

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Jericho is a busy man to say the least. Since his WWE departure Y2J continues to make waves in the wrestling business. He’s a current title holder for New Japan. However, there might be more to come in the future.

His good buddy Don Callis is the one responsible for setting up the Chris Jericho and New Japan relationship. Perhaps in returning the favor, the speculation indicates that Jericho might be debuting for Impact sooner rather than later. Callis is the executive for the company. This potential move can give Impact a massive push in the right direction.

19 Austin Aries – Impact Wrestling

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He wasn’t the most popular face backstage especially among the WWE writers. This factor caused his WWE release. Aries wasted no time getting back on his feet follow the no-compete clause in his contract. He would develop the gimmick of the belt collector winning championships with various indie promotions.

Among his notable pit-stops, a return to ROH along with his current run as a member of Impact Wrestling. Aries is the current World Champion however problems behind the scenes continue to follow the former 205 Live star. He’s currently involved in some Twitter heat with another Impact and former WWE star, John Morrison.

18 Rich Swann – Impact Wrestling

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It was a release out of nowhere as Swann got into some trouble outside of the ring. WWE is no tolerance when it comes to these types of situations therefore Swann was immediately released.

He’s enjoying his time as a member of the Impact roster. Swann is putting on some great matches. The former Cruiserweight Champion is also very content with Impact’s atmosphere behind the scenes along with the quality of the production value these days.

As for his relationship with the WWE, Swann admits things are good – however, his current focus is only on Impact Wrestling:

"I'm on good terms, but no (I'm not in touch with anyone from WWE). I'm with Impact Wrestling. I've got a contract with Impact Wrestling, and that's all we're in touch with." (Source: Wrestlinginc)

17 Rosa Mendes – Training For Pro Wrestling Return

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“I don’t ever want to be in a position where I’m laying here just like my dad, and that I never fulfilled my dream of having a five-star match in the ring. And I’ve never felt that. And I have a daughter now, and I never want her to have any regrets.” (Source: Ewrestlingnews)

You have to admire Rosa’s willingness. She is set to turn 39 in just a couple of days yet she’s planning on making a return. Her reasons for returning are quite motivating and inspirational. However sadly, her return to the ring was recently derailed due to surgery. Once she heals up the BC native will be back in the ring.

16 Simon Gotch - Independent Circuit

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During his WWE run Gotch was completely fine in the ring. The issues were backstage as he wasn’t the most popular WWE star amongst his peers. After a dispute with Sin Cara Gotch was handed the pink slip shortly after.

To his credit, Gotch hasn’t wasted time since the release. He’s booked frequently albeit for lower tier indie shows. The wrestler has also stated that his mental health has improved dramatically since leaving the company. Like lots of other former WWE employees he doesn’t have the greatest things to say about the company in regards to his final days with the promotion.

15 Darren Young - Independent Circuit

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This was a surprising WWE release that took place in early January of 2017. Heck, just the night before Young was serving as an ambassador for the company at an NBA game. It caught lots of fans off guard.

He’s continuing on in the business these day with sporadic appearances on the independent scene. The former Tag Champion no longer goes by the name Darren Young due to a WWE trademark. He is now known as “Mr. No Days Off” Fred Rosser. One of his most recent indie matches took place out in Los Angeles taking on Jake Atlas in the marquee match of the evening for Nuclear Heart Wrestling.

14 Wade Barrett – World Of Sport Wrestling

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"I think one of the things that happened to me in the last couple of years in the WWE where I realized how unhappy I was in that environment, was that I realized that I needed variety and balance in my life." (Source Wrestlinginc)

That was a big reason for his WWE departure, more time to work on other projects. He hasn’t returned to the ring however he is taking on wrestling related gigs. Barrett previously worked as the GM for Defiant Wrestling. He has now moved on to World of Sport Wrestling taking on the role of an on-screen executive. The former IC Champion is also a commentator for the promotion.

13 James Ellsworth - Independent Circuit

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In June, James Ellsworth returned to WWE television. It wasn’t under contract, instead Carmella’s manager returned with set dates. Once again he elevated Carmella and Ellsworth proved to be very entertaining in the spot a second time around. However, he wasn’t staying for all that long, Paige fired the talent just a month later.

He’s back on the indies with a full schedule. One of his recent notable appearances took place at a Warrior Wrestling 2 event. James teamed up with Noelle Foley’s boyfriend Frank The Clown. The duo took on RJ City and.... David Arquette. The former WCW Champion came out of the match with the victory.

12 James Storm – Sporadic Indie Appearances

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James Storm becoming a star with NXT seemed pretty obvious. Roode thrived with the developmental brand and the same was expected from his former partner James Storm. Surprisingly, Storm decided against prolonging his NXT run. He decided to extend his deal with Impact. It was an admirable decision however looking back, it might have been a mistake considering he left shortly after.

These days he’s barely appearing on the indies. According to the recent rumors he might be returning to NXT sooner rather than later. Storm continues to drop hints pertaining to a possible return via his social media accounts.

11 Hornswoggle - Sporadic Indie Appearances

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Hornswoggle recently returned to the WWE during the Saudi Arabia event. He entered the Greatest Royal Rumble and received quite the pop by the fans on-hand. Some thought he might be sticking around for a new run. However, we haven’t seen the talent or heard from him on WWE television since the April event.

He’s appearing sporadically at independent events. He’s also a mainstay at lots of wrestling conventions across US and Canada. At age 32, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Hornswoggle back in a WWE ring for another brief appearance at some point in the future.

10 Sawyer Fulton – MLW

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He is typically remembered as the wrestler that just vanished from Sanity. Fulton was released without much of an explanation. It was an odd departure as he left NXT while in storyline with the stable.

Similar to Simon Gotch, Fulton hasn’t wasted much time. He joined MLW this summer. Fulton took part in Sami Callihan’s led stable – one that’s a little reminiscent to Sanity. His work these days definitely isn’t WWE friendly. Fulton is involved in lots of hardcore matches – bouts you wouldn’t see on WWE programming today.

9 Bubba Ray Dudley - Independent Circuit

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The former WWE Tag Team Champion isn’t going away just yet. He had hinted at a retirement earlier in the year but this no longer seems to be the case. Dudley is going back to his roots performing in hardcore type of matches. One of his most recent performances took place in October at the Extreme Warfare event. His opponent for the night, hardcore villain Sami Callihan.

Along with indie appearances Bully also runs a wrestling academy alongside Tommy Dreamer. He’s keeping busy since his WWE release doing what he loves; hardcore wrestling and training the youth.

8 Jimmy Jacobs – Impact Wrestling & Indies

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One of the more controversial releases, Jimmy Jacobs fled from the WWE after he was released due to a photo taken alongside the Young Bucks. Jacobs was working behind the scenes at the time as a writer for the company. He’s remembered for working closely alongside Chris Jericho and being the brains behind Y2J’s famous “list.”

Following the release it didn’t take long for Jacobs to find work again. He quickly joined Impact as both an in-ring talent and manager. Jacobs can also be found working for various other indie promotions such as CZW and XICW.

7 CJ Parker – New Japan

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Known to New Japan fans as Juice Robinson, the talent isn’t looking back on his stint with NXT. He’s enjoying the greatest success of his career at the moment and a lot of that has to do with his decision to leave the WWE. Robinson was going absolutely nowhere with the developmental brand.

That has all changed these days as he turned into one of the most over babyfaces in New Japan. He is also regarded as the top promo worker in the entire wrestling business. If you haven’t done so yet check it out some of his post-match promos with New Japan.

6 Cody Rhodes – ROH & New Japan

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There isn’t a single talent on this list that has enjoyed more independent success away from the WWE than Cody Rhodes. The talent was lost in the lower card scene during his final WWE days. After constant creative requests Rhodes decided to part.

The decision worked in his favor. Not only is Rhodes thriving with ROH and New Japan but he successfully set up the PPV event All In, it sold out in 30 minutes. He walked out of the event holding the NWA Heavyweight Championship. Without a doubt his father’s smiling from up above.

5 Big Cass – Set To Appear On The Indies

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“I’m doing good, just living my life right now,” Cass said via Ringsidenews. “Hitting the gym, waiting for my 90-day [no compete clause] to end. Anticipating what’s next on my schedule, trying to get myself in the best shape possible. Just living life, I don’t know how else to say it.”

It was a surprising release in 2018. Once considered a future WWE Champion Big Cass hurt his reputation due to antics behind the scenes. He’ll try to rewrite his wrongs on the indie scene once the no-compete clause comes to an end. Look for Cass to take on various gigs once he hits the indies.