The WWE has shown itself to have had a stark change in policy over the past few years where they are looking into bringing in more stars from Independent promotions and replacing their stale wrestlers with some of the newer stars. While most of the wrestlers are made to go through NXT before having a shot at the main roster, we've seen quite a lot of big names directly get an entry on the main roster and being pushed from the get-go (see Styles, AJ).

Now there's no doubt that there are going to be multiple wrestlers who will be released by WWE later this year, while there are also some rumored to leave the company due to their frustrations. Some popular wrestlers who are not being treated so well might decide to leave the company later this year in their search for more success in the indies, and that can give opportunities to new stars to replace them on the roster. There are quite a few wrestlers rumored to join WWE later this year, with some being capable of replacing their biggest stars.

While the WWE is preparing itself for some departures, they have a lot of choices of wrestlers to bring in as we look at some of the wrestlers who will leave WWE and who they'll be replaced with.

18 Will Leave: Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar has been extremely dominant as the Universal Champion, having held onto it for almost a full year, but the Beast Incarnate is almost sure to drop it at some point this year, most likely to Roman Reigns. Lesnar is the highest paid guy in the WWE right now and is also enjoying a lot of success, but according to rumors, he wants to leave the WWE later this year. While his contract expired after WrestleMania 34, he signed on for a few more dates, which likely end around SummerSlam. The Beast seems adamant in leaving WWE this year, because he wants to head to the UFC where he has some unfinished business. Despite his part-time role, Lesnar's loss could be a huge one for WWE to deal with as they'll have to shape their product without him once again.

17 Replaced By: Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio stunned many fans when he appeared as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble match last month, turning back the clock by hitting the 619 on many wrestlers and putting in an exhilarating display in the match itself. Mysterio has seen been hounded by speculation on whether he will sign for WWE or not and it seems to be a matter of time before he does. Mysterio is looking to sign a more relaxed schedule (like John Cena has), but if WWE is to lose someone as big as Daniel Bryan later this year, they will need an equal fan-favorite in Mysterio to fill the void. Mysterio's amazing return proved how he still has a lot of fans in wrestling and the possibilities of fantasy match-ups are absolutely end-less if the former World Heavyweight Champion is to permanently return to the WWE.

16 Will Leave: Mickie James

Mickie James has been an underwhelming figure in WWE's Women's Division ever since arriving a year ago and while she's played the role of this in-ring veteran really well, she hasn't really been able to assert her dominance yet. James has helped to put over many emerging women on the roster and is having a bit of a trouble winning prominent feuds which can make her one of the top WWE women yet again. The former Women's Champion must be getting even frustrated with her position and could ask for her WWE release if things continue like this. She can still go and impress in other promotions, which will treat her better than the WWE and will give her the "elite" status which she probably won't ever find anymore in the WWE because of how they're promoting the "new faces" after their Women's Revolution.

15 Replaced By: Taya Valkyrie

Taya Valkyrie is someone who has proven to be a stellar female wrestler over the years where she's done some amazing work in Mexico and mostly gained her fame for her work at Lucha Underground. Valkyrie fended off competition from many male talents in Mexico and proved to be a stunning wrestler who can put on a great match with almost anyone in the ring. If Mickie James was to leave WWE, Taya would be the perfect woman for them to replace her with. Valkyrie is an experienced customer and can blend into their conditions pretty quickly as well, as the WWE would get another coup if they sign Valkyrie, who could be a hit in both Raw or Smackdow and could put on some amazing matches with the level of female talent WWE has right now.

14 Will Leave: Kane

It's quite evident that the "Big Red Monster" Kane isn't looking to further continue his destruction in the wrestling ring, with Glenn Jacobs being quite involved in politics right now as he's running for the Mayor of Knox County. Kane has been given the job of putting over stars before he eventually makes his bow from WWE soon enough and if he does win the election later this year(which he's favorite too), then he'll immediately leave his WWE post to kick-start a political journey. While the terrifying Kane has given us many memorable moments in his two-decade-long career in WWE, he's not the same scary monster he once was and he isn't really getting much love from the fans recently either. It'd be fitting if he leaves on a high as one would expect WWE to let him have one last hurrah before leaving for a new career.

13 Replaced By: Aleister Black

Aleister Black seems to be very high on confidence right now in WWE NXT, where he's laying waste to anyone who tries to dethrone him as NXT Champion. Black is very high with the officials who are looking to make him an even bigger star than he is right now, as many fans are considering him the next Undertaker. While it'll be difficult for him to emulate that, Black can definitely replace the Big Red Monster Kane on the main roster later this year. He has that destructiveness in his kit and also brings a terrifying nature to his character and while he's not as "big" as Kane, he definitely matches that character. Black can achieve even bigger things once he's on the main roster and can be the ultimate supernatural gimmick for WWE if handled well.

12 Will Leave: Tye Dillinger

"The Perfect 10" Tye Dillinger hasn't really been having the most "perfect" of times on the main roster ever since making his debut on Smackdown Live!, where he's failed to impress with his gimmick and hasn't even featured in many weeks. Dillinger is allegedly getting a repackage which could be even worse off for him while hampering his declining popularity as well. It doesn't seem like there's a prominent place for him on the main roster, so one could expect Dillinger to leave the company later this year. He can be a hit in the Independent circuit and has proved to be a very good wrestler as well and he can try his hand at getting famous in some other promotions. Dillinger is still in the prime shape of his life, so it won't be surprising if he takes the move to leave WWE and find success somewhere else.

11 Replaced By: Matt Riddle

The WWE is currently looking to up its mainstream status by signing more popular athletes from around the globe and while they've already signed Ronda Rousey, they're continuing to look for athletes with MMA background. This is why it's quite possible that Matt Riddle, who is himself a former UFC fighter, will join the company later this year. Riddle has been wrestling in the Independent circuit for a few years now and is doing really great in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) where he recently won the Tag Belts with Jeff Cobb. While Riddle has played down rumors of joining WWE in the past, it's only a matter of time till he gives in to the temptation and joins the company, where he could be a perfect mid-carder on the main roster and can replace someone like Tye Dillinger, who is almost non-existent on Smackdown Live!.

10 Will Leave: Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt didn't really have the most exciting 2017 after losing his WWE Championship at WrestleMania 33, with the "Eater of Worlds" losing any prominent feud he's been in ever since. His feud and subsequent partnership with Woken Matt Hardy has definitely rejuvenated his career... for the time being. Wyatt has been having problems in and outside the ring, with the controversy surrounding his divorce plaguing his reputation in the WWE. Wyatt might be in his prime shape right now, but WWE is only wasting his talents with each passing month and he might be tempted to leave the company if things continue like this. Wyatt is popular enough to be a big hit in the Independent circuit, as WWE will find someone to replace him if he asks for his release, something which could become a reality if Bray is made to sacrifice his career and continuously put over emerging talents.

9 Replaced By: John Morrison

John Morrison has gone onto become an absolute star in the Independent scene ever since he was released from WWE, as he's gone onto achieve fame in the Mexican and American Independent scene as well. He earned a lot of fame in Lucha Underground where he was a top star for a few years and won the Lucha Underground Heavyweight Championship as well! Morrison has attained quite a lot of mainstream fame recently due to his appearance in the Netflix show Glow and while he's currently in TNA, he will probably leave them if WWE comes calling. He can add a lot of charm and excitement to WWE if he is resigned by them and there's a lot of fantasy matches which could come true if the terrific Morrison returns to Monday Night Raw.

8 Will Leave: Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews has been going nowhere ever since making his main roster debut and while he was considered as a decent mid-carder back then, he's just a jobber to the stars right now. WWE somehow manages to find space for him to put on some entertaining content but later has him lay down for some "emerging" talent and Crews shouldn't stay in the company where he's been treated like this. Crews should leave the WWE later this year for the sake of his wrestling career which is spiraling downwards with every passing week and Crews should try to regain fame in the Independent circuit if he's not given a push by WWE. They will probably grant him a release if he wants one, so Crews should take this bold step which could lead him to once again becoming one of the more popular guys in the Independent scene.

7 Replaced By: James Storm

James Storm had a rather uneventful period on WWE NXT during his very short stint where he faced Danny Burch and Adam Cole in a few matches before deciding not to sign for them. Storm went onto perform for TNA for a few years before he left them last year and he's currently a free agent. Storm has voiced his desire to return to the WWE for a proper stint sometime into the future and the company shouldn't hesitate at getting this veteran. Someone like Storm should be introduced right into the main roster and he can actually be a solid mid-carder on Raw instead of someone like Apollo Crews. He can challenge for the IC title and make for some interesting feuds, while a Beer Money reunion with Bobby Roode could also be on the cards in the near future if he signs for WWE.

6 Will Leave: Karl Anderson And Luke Gallows

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows arrived at the WWE with a lot of expectations after their great work in New Japan Pro Wrestling caught everyone's attention, but they've not been the same ever since arriving at WWE. While their style has been toned down by the WWE, Anderson & Gallows have failed to establish themselves as the top guys in the tag team division and are mostly losing feuds against prominent teams these days. The two must be frustrated at their downfall and will not want to ruin their reputation anymore, as they'd want to return to Japan where they would be valued much more. The Good Brothers have an important decision to make if they're treated as a low-card tag team and will need to leave for somewhere where they'd be treated better.

5 Replaced By: The Briscoe Brothers

The WWE's tag team division might be the best in the wrestling industry right now, but they are lacking in some legitimate tough guy characters who can bring something new to the division. While The Usos' gimmick change has helped bring out the attitude from within them, the WWE needs a tag team like the Briscoe brothers who immediately bring out a bad-ass vibe with their characters. They are two tough fighters who love to bring their hard-hitting style of wrestling to the fray when they are teaming together, and they should be signed by WWE this year. The company should look to add to their booming tag team division and can bring in the Briscoe's to replace one of their underwhelming tag teams (like Gallows & Anderson) and take the tag division to another level with their brutal style of tag-team wrestling.

4 Will Leave: Kassius Ohno

Kassius Ohno hasn't really been able to establish himself as a top star in NXT ever since making his return last year and has only been a mid-carder who always loses key feuds to other emerging talents. While his looks and body-shape haven't helped his cause at all, Ohno is losing much of his reputation by being reduced to a jobber to the stars on NXT and will not want that to continue any further. While a promotion to the main roster looks unlikely, he'll probably have to make an important decision whether to leave and try impressing somewhere else or continue his work in WWE. Ohno might take a leap of faith later this year and leave the WWE if this awful form continues for him because he still has a lot to give to the wrestling fans and can be a top guy in another promotion.

3 Replaced By: Michael Elgin

Michael Elgin has been a really hard-hitting, technical wrestler in the Independent circuit for many years now and has impressed many fans who have seen his work. Knowing his experience in promotions like PWG and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Elgin is someone the WWE have tracked for a couple of years now and they might be willing to give him a chance to shine for them later this year. While Elgin isn't that big a star neither is he ready to make the main roster, he could start off his career at WWE NXT where he could be a really good mid-carder. He'd be a great addition for Triple H's product and be given the freedom to express his strong style of wrestling as well, as Elgin could definitely shine brightly at NXT and could replace Kassius Ohno if he decides to leave.

2 Will Leave: Hideo Itami

Hideo Itami was regarded as one of the brightest talents in WWE NXT when he made his debut and impressed with his hard-hitting, fast-paced style of wrestling, but injuries have plagued his career in WWE to the point that he's not regarded as a top star anymore. Itami was recently added to 205 Live which seemed a decent move for him, but he lost in the 1st round of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament and seems to be going nowhere. He will probably leave the WWE if this continues as he knows how much popularity he has in Japan, where he could once again become a big star. Itami deserves more than being a low-carder on a place like 205 Live and with his WWE stint turning out to be a big bust, he'll probably go back to Japan this year and try to reset his career there.

1 Replaced By: Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay is currently one of the hottest in-ring talents in the wrestling industry right now, as the high-flying Cruiserweight has wowed audiences all around with his immaculate work in the Independent scene. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is currently doing some great work in Japan and while he's been vocal about being hesitant at joining WWE, he could join them if the offer is right. Now as everyone might know, Triple H is at the helm of 205 Live nowadays and will need a big star to help it get the recognition it deserves. Ospreay can definitely be that star for him and can replace Hideo Itami as well and Ospreay can have the 205 Live! show being revolved around him. The possibilities are endless for Ospreay if he is to join WWE and knowing how they shockingly signed Ricochet, a possibility of Ospreay's signing is definitely likely.