WrestleMania 34 has come and gone. Almost as anticipated is the Raw after WrestleMania, which is a time of surprise debuts and big announcements, however... that's the good about this time of year, the bad has yet to come: releases. Releases of contracts are a necessary action for a company with a budget and a vision, but it's often something that leaves fans on edge wondering who goes—and to where once talent relations calls. We've seen the 2018 Superstar Shakeup, so expect to see WWE implement their usual spring cleaning by way of future endeavoring whoever they deem fit to go. That raises the question of who those men and women will be.

2018 looks to be a revolutionary year in wrestling and I can think of at least 20 wrestlers who are here for the beginning of it, but very likely won't see the fruits of their labor by the year 2021. My predictions of who won't be around in three years will be accompanied by reasoning why I feel the wrestler in question will be released and even how. The names I came up with were based on an examination of each one's current position on their respective brand, their overall worth in WWE's eyes, which is never hard to tell and their potential to rise any higher than they are as I write this prediction. Much like the draft, WWE's mass firings can be just as surprising, so, without further ado...here's my list of 20 performers I believe will be let go over the next three years.

20 Paige

Via WWE.com

Although Paige currently is the general manager of SmackDown and has a movie about her life set to be released this year, she is an inactive wrestler due to the house show injury she suffered that exacerbated already existing neck issues. Naturally it would seem like her role on the show secures her job, much like Daniel Bryan who was in the same exact situation, but Paige, to a rational fan, is a liability to have no matter her role in the company. Given how much drama she's generated during her time away from WWE by seeing Alberto Del Rio, being by his side during his tirades against the company she works for, her second wellness violation, and latest on her list of mishaps the infamous leaked sex tape she'll never live down, it's only logical to assume such a controversial star would self-destruct again.

When such a result is highly likely, no matter how much WWE may have faith in her, WWE's current PG climate along with her rebellious nature doesn't appear to make her a mainstay in her new role.

19 Chad Gable

Via WWE.com

Chad Gable is bound to be more than Charlie Haas 2.0. Gable who is currently a Raw Superstar, is on the same show as his injured ex-partner. Last year, he was split from Jason Jordan when the latter was revealed as Kurt Angle's storyline son, and while Gable got a new teammate in Shelton Benjamin, that didn't amount to much.

Compared to The World's Greatest Tag Team (Haas and Benjamin), Jordan is much like Shelton, whom the company had much more faith in being a breakout star on the mid-card level. For Gable who is just as talented as Jordan, but way less pushed, he's likely to be paired with another guy on Raw whom creative has nothing for. Who knows, it could be Jordan if he ever returns...that's also if Gable hasn't become completely useless to WWE by then.

18 Dana Brooke

via pinterest.com

Dana Brooke is currently a member of Titus Worldwide, which means she's on TV, but nowhere close where she'd like to be. Accusations of Brooke being green in the ring were fueled by her pairing with Charlotte Flair and even Titus O'Neil and Apollo, so a strike against Dana's career is the fans and WWE not trusting her to be her own woman and worse, having her in-ring skills questioned. In this era, that means a lot. According to Ringside News, what saved her from being a complete afterthought was an alleged relationship with a creative writer, which was rumored last year. (This was before her relationship with bodybuilder Dallas McCarver, who died last summer.)

Whether it's true or not, on-screen managerial roles for stars who are actually wrestlers usually means they are made useful, but only till cuts need to be made. The Raw women's division is stacked, so she's not needed and her role with Titus isn't vital to the comedic stable nor Raw as a whole, so having friends in high places won't necessarily save her next time.

17 Bobby Roode

Via dailyddt.com

You might be thinking, "not Bobby Roode, they couldn't let him go." Well, I'm telling you, yes, they could. Winning a secondary title isn't a major stepping stone toward the world title like it used to mean. Ryback and Damien Sandow were IC Champion and Money in The Bank briefcase holder respectively and they were cut. The two had gimmicks, so what's Roode's? Incorporating the word "glorious" in everything while wearing a robe? The fact Roode lost his U.S. title so fast and hadn't won it back at 'Mania when he was made to look much more credible than Jinder Mahal in his first few years shows at best he's a mid-card level guy, and at worse he's expendable to the point WWE can say they signed the ex-TNA star cause the fans wanted it, while putting in a lackluster effort to make him or simply say there was just nothing for him.

16 Curt Hawkins

via wwe.com

Curt Hawkins is an obvious candidate for release, given how his spot as Raw's certified jobber has gone unopposed since Jinder Mahal moved up the ladder. Hawkins was never a guy WWE trusted to do anything except take a loss, especially now, making his first run that at least resulted in a tag-title reign and a position as one of Edge's henchmen look Hall of Fame-worthy. I'm certain nobody, including Hawkins, would be shocked if he ended up on WWE's homepage as a 2018 release, let alone surviving three more years. I know every promotion needs its jobbers, but that spot is always opening up for newer stars who may actually be more entertaining in their lowly state than a guy who touted an impressively terrible record of 0-179 in 2018 and would likely see much more TV time than he ever did.

15 Sami Zayn

Via hiddenremote.com

When I think of Sami Zayn, I think of a guy who can't cut it and because of that, will be cut on his own accord. Sami has been on the main roster since January 2016, but he has never won a championship of any kind, has turned heel like most wanted and has only become an annoying sidekick to Kevin Owens that didn't get him more over. Sami was the guy fans said needed to be on SmackDown Live to get that opportunity to be the man, but he was sent there and nothing happened. Now in 2018, he and KO are back on Raw, so he's wasting away in a time pushes and titles are given to almost everyone and he still can't manage to seem mildly important compared to everyone else. I see another Cesaro in the making, another guy who will get fed up eventually and will likely ask for his release to chase main event status elsewhere.

14 Dolph Ziggler

Via Cagesideseats.com

Ziggler has reached the mountain top, having been World Heavyweight Champion twice. He even has the resume of a guy WWE sees as a top guy—but he isn't. Ziggler went from a guy who never was the man to a guy who jobs to everyone. He can pretend to be Shawn Michaels all he wants, but that isn't tricking WWE into booking him like HBK. We've heard the reports and interviews of Ziggler threatening to leave if he didn't get a big push. His 2016 feud with The Miz revolved around him finally accepting that a decision about his future had to be made, or else the same cycle would continue. I see Ziggler finally jumping ship to the indies after his new two-year deal ends, which by that time would be safe to say nothing changed, despite his placement on Raw.

13 Tye Dillinger

Via Rotoden.com

Tye Dillinger made his main roster debut in April 2017. I can think of 10 reasons why WWE would release him, but I only have space to name about three. Dillinger has been underwhelming on SmackDown for fans who want to admire a wrestler who has more than an obsession with the number 10, that's one. Naturally, WWE would and has deemed his type of character a comedic jobber or an underdog, and that's two and three—his current brand of SmackDown competing with his fellow NXT peers such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe and Big Cass makes it certain Dillinger will be lost in the shuffle, which is a major killer of careers in wrestling. All of those reasons make a release a sure thing when it comes time for WWE to compile a list of talent to cut.

12 Baron Corbin

via wwe.com

Baron Corbin has been on WWE's bad side for challenging the concussion argument made by Dr. Joseph Maroon during a meeting with talent last summer. It cost Corbin his briefcase and a match against John Cena he likely would have won. The guy seemed to be groomed to be SmackDown's resident big guy, literally and figuratively, but now he's on Raw with guys like Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar who are the three biggest names on the brand. Even as a heel who would be natural opponents for faces Rollins and Reigns, Corbin isn't booked as a main eventer any longer. He seems to be another big guy who got a push, but fizzled out before becoming a big time player, similar to guys like Vladimir Kozlov and Ryback. A release for him seems far more likely than a strong push on Raw.

11 Lana

via ftw.usatoday.com

Lana, being Rusev's wife, naturally ensures she joins her husband if he decides to leave or gets cut, especially given his issues with the company. Much like AJ Lee sticking with Punk when he was released on their wedding day in 2014. Speaking of wedding days, remember what happened when Lana and Rusev announced their plans to wed? The company has obviously not looked at them the same since the TMZ leak. Lana is more eye candy than a needed woman in the SmackDown women's division, so she can always be cut. On top of that, she can always just ask for her release to return to modeling knowing her career and Rusev's has reached their peaks and the crap they are force to eat won't end just because they hope it will.

10 Rusev

Via dimorosports.com

Every dog has its day, every Rusev has his...that could be the day he's released by WWE. Frankly, I don't think if WWE were to cut Rusev at this point he'd care. His career didn't take off like neither he nor fans thought, resulting in him only ever holding the U.S. title, tons of losses, backstage heat and plans to elevate him taken away. Rusev is a release that many see coming, something that's a mercy kill for a big, character-based wrestler who was used right initially and then ruined. We can hold out hope that he stays and gets higher on the card, or at the very least doesn't take the lovely Lana with him when he walks off Punk-style.

9 Bo Dallas

Via WWE.com

If you thought Bo Dallas had a future based on what you saw in NXT, you might not be alone. After a failed main roster singles run, the former NXT Champion was made a henchman of The Miz. Typically in cases like Bo where management needs to give a wrestler something to do, being a lackey is one of the many roles assigned to them, which is better than being off TV, but is the kiss of death by creative. The Miz is now on SmackDown thanks to the 2018 Shakeup, resulting in Dallas being back on his own, repeating the same pattern as either a singles competitor or as a tag-team with Curtis Axel. The tag-team scenario is more likely, which for Bo means being thrown into a division WWE has neglected for years as a guy they've proven to deem lower than a mid-carder. All of which spells expendable.

8 Mickie James

Via WWE.com

Mickie James returned to WWE in January 2017. Since that date she's sided with Alexa Bliss as a heel where her reasoning centered around being unappreciated by the other younger women, she'd go on to feud with her former ally Bliss in a title match she'd lose and has competed in the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble, before siding once again with Bliss. I don't think many expected James to return to be a major player in the Women's Revolution, but she's been overshadowed to the degree you wonder if she walked out or on another brand.

There's a fine line between putting others over and being overlooked. James needs to be in the middle as a recognizable face of a beloved era of wrestling and it looks like WWE isn't willing to book her that way. Mickie is currently 38-years-old and is no spring chicken...plus she's a mother. With every reason to retire, I can see WWE agreeing to part ways with James or making that choice for her.

7 Bray Wyatt

Via culturedvultures.com

Bray Wyatt serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when a wrestler with potenial is wasted. Wyatt's career looked promising when he made his debut in 2012. He looked like he could potentially take The Undertaker's mantle while leading his menacing looking faction, The Wyatt Family, to success, but his future would turn out far different with loss after loss, having only won one WWE Championship and SmackDown Tag Team Championship each, thanks to Randy Orton's influence in a storyline and becoming the reverse Undertaker at WrestleMania, and losing every big match he's lucky enough to land.

Many thought Wyatt's luck turned around once he won The WWE Championship...only to watch him lose it a month later to Orton and return right back to Jobberville. It's obvious Bray's best days are behind him, and no pairing with Matt Hardy will save him since nothing else did, which made Bray a joke just like the creative writing team who failed him. If I had to bet who was willing to part ways between Wyatt and WWE, I'd go with WWE given how long Wyatt put up with them already.

6 Heath Slater

Via allwrestlingsuperstars.com

I'm certain WWE doesn't care about Heath Slater's kids when it comes to adding him to their list of releases. I mean, he has a nice, comfy spot as WWE's comedic jobber, taking the place of Santino Marella. However, all good things must come to an end. There are plenty of new up and comers who could replace Slater and be paid much less than him. His competition is also with the likes of jobbers such as Goldust and Titus O'Neil who been around almost as long and longer who could easily pull double duty in the case they get rid of Slater. Fan support won't matter much when creative runs out of funny catchphrases and segments for him.

5 Mojo Rawley

via onlineworldofwrestling.com

Mojo Rawley debuted on the main roster in July 2016. He was one-half of the tag-team The Hype Bros and has never held a single championship. The only accomplishment to his credit is his 2017 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy that looks to be his only career highlight when his run is said and done, in spite of being drafted to Raw. A change of brands and gimmicks seem to be the remedy for a star struggling to remain relevant, but only in theory. If you remotely understand wrestling you know it's never that easy. Not sure Mojo would be hyped to hear from the head of talent relations, but given the direction of his career, he should at the very least expect it.

4 Tamina

Via Pinterest.com

Arriving on the scene with The Usos, it looked like Tamina had a promising career ahead of her as the daughter of the late, legendary Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. She has the imposing image of a heel and is a tough woman, but for a large part of her career she'd be best known as the manager or bodyguard for The Usos, Santino Marella and AJ Lee. She would, however, manage to occasionally be in the championship picture, but never champion. Despite how small the early women's division on SmackDown was during the 2016 brand extension, she still managed to fall under the radar and be used as nothing more than a tool to put others over, which means there's a limited amount of time she can do that before it's game over.

Once a wrestler hits jobber status, the less credible they are to be anything more. On top of that, she's 40 and is even less useful in WWE's eyes than she was five or 10 years ago, so not only is she a prime candidate for dismissal...many may not even know it happened.

3 Apollo Crews

Via Cagesideseats.com

Hitting the main roster immediately after WrestleMania 32, Apollo looked to have had a path of success paved for him. He was fit and muscular, resembling the standard Vince likes, and had athleticism on par with some crusierweights with his arsenal of flips and kicks. All that and the appeal of NXT working in his favor amounted to only ever receiving a SummerSlam match for the IC title that he'd lose in an era where titles are just thrown on wrestlers. More and more NXT stars being called up ensured Apollo was lost in the shuffle and the mere fact he hasn't been showcased as a mid-carder who even deserved to have the IC title is all the proof needed that neither creative nor Vince cares about creating a new star. When a promotion just lets a guy wander...the writing is on the wall.

2 Alicia Fox

Zonawrestling.net

Alicia Fox is often overlooked in the Women's Revolution, which is odd since she's a former Divas Champion. If you like Alicia and thought she was being overlooked before, well, to tap into the gimmick of her old fling, I've got some bad news. Over WrestleMania weekend there was footage of Fox arguing with a non-WWE performer, but not just any non-WWE performer – it was Travis Browne, UFC fighter and husband of one of WWE's biggest signees, Ronda Rousey. So, it doesn't take much to say Alicia, who has been out due to injury, likely won't have a job to come back to after having an altercation with a pet project's spouse, regardless if it was her fault or not. WWE isn't trying to look bad, especially to Rousey and the UFC. Fox is no Charlotte nor Asuka who would cause a moment of hesitation when it comes to releases.

1 Cesaro

Via Rocktape.com

Cesaro was a guy many advocated being pushed to the main event, and concepts like the Cesaro Section were made to show WWE that even if they didn't think so, fans were taking notice to his skills. Unfortunately for Cesaro, WWE doesn't see it the same way he or the fans do. To them, he's clearly Tag and IC-worthy, but that's about it. From 2012, when he made his debut, to 2014 it looked to be hope that he could reach a higher status on WWE's totem pole, but as the years rolled on and he remained stuck, poorly utilized and altered, he would find himself in the mid-card for life box, which clearly eats him up. It's like he thinks staying as long as possible forces them to change their mind. Considering they aren't budging, I can see Cesaro asking for his release to headline elsewhere.