Pro wrestling is an extremely unforgiving business. Regardless of the fact that WWE wrestlers are exclusive to the promotion, they are treated as independent contractors, which means that they are essentially at the mercy of the whims and fancies of an eccentric billionaire.
Every year, WWE fires a number of its employees, as part of cost-cutting measures or just to lighten up a bloated roster. In most cases, fans can see some of these releases coming from a mile away, but over the years, there have been a number of releases that have been nothing short of shocking to people around the world.
10 Drake Maverick
Drake Maverick, formerly known as Rockstar Spud has always given his all for WWE. He was one of the bright spots on 205 Live as the General Manager, and while him managing AOP wasn't the best by a long shot, he consistently made the most of the material he was given.
He was also a part of the best 24/7 Championship angle, with him trading wins with R-Truth, all while trying to consummate his marriage. When WWE announced a number of releases in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were shocked to see Maverick's name on the list. He had been consistently entertaining, was over with crowds, and willing to do whatever the company needed. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and he was hired back soon after his shocking dismissal.
9 Zack Ryder
"Long Island Iced Z" Zack Ryder was the ideal WWE employee. He rarely complained and whenever he got a chance, he usually made the most of it. When WWE had nothing useful for him to do, he took it in his stride and became an internet sensation. Over the years, Ryder repeatedly proved that he had a strong connection with the WWE Universe, but the promotion was hell bent on using him either as a bit-part player or enhancement talent, or just burying him completely.
Regardless, it seemed like Ryder and WWE would never truly go separate ways. But then, Ryder's name was among those listed for release in April. His name was perhaps the most shocking on the list, considering how long he had been with the promotion, his connection with fans and ability to move merchandise.
8 AOP
It took WWE a little while to figure out what it wanted to do with Akam and Rezar when they were called up to the main roster. But when they aligned themselves with the Monday Night Messiah, something just clicked. Suddenly, AOP looked a lot more dangerous and a lot more important.
Unfortunately, injuries meant that the team never really got the chance to pick up momentum. But considering the fact that they were both still really young, AOP had a massive upside. However, WWE had other plans, as in September it announced that it had released AOP, with Rezar still recovering from a biceps injury.
7 Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak was an important part of the 205 Live roster, but once he made the move to the main show, he struggled for relevance. He was routinely squashed by other wrestlers who were far higher up on the pecking order, with a real danger of him turning into a jobber.
But then Daniel Bryan pushed for him to be used effectively, leading to a great run that included a fantastic match at Elimination Chamber. Soon after that storyline concluded, his contract expired; reports stated that WWE was not interested in improving his terms, so they just let him go. It was shocking, especially considering that Gulak was finally coming into his own on the blue brand. But once more, cooler heads prevailed and Gulak was rehired soon after.
6 Rusev
Rusev had all the ingredients to be a main event star in WWE; he was big, explosive, strong on the mic, and could work effectively as a face or a heel. But Vince McMahon never really seemed interested in pushing him in a meaningful capacity.
There was still hope though, as he entered a saga involving Lana, Bobby Lashley, and then Liv Morgan as well. It got Rusev over as a babyface in a big way, but before the storyline could even conclude, he was fired. That storyline never got any closure and WWE wasted another exceptionally talented wrestler.
5 Zelina Vega
For a long time, Zelina Vega proved her worth to WWE as a manager and an overall performer. She was integral in getting Andrade over and was always stellar on the mic and in the ring, whenever she did lace up her boots.
But her supporting unionization ultimately resulted in WWE firing her outright. While the promotion's official statement was that her OnlyFans account was the last straw, fans knew that her voice was snuffed out to end any discussion surrounding unionization in WWE. It was absolutely shocking and could ultimately prove to work against McMahon, who only angered even more people with his treatment of WWE wrestlers on the payroll.
4 Emma
Emma was just another example of wasted potential. Fans knew she could kill it in the ring and could have easily been a lynchpin in the Women's Evolution. But for whatever reason, Vince McMahon never saw what was special in her, dooming her from the onset when she made her main roster debut in a sideshow act with Santino Marella.
Emma was first fired by WWE when she was arrested for shoplifting, which later turned out to be a misunderstanding. Fans were furious, as it had turned a blind eye to DUIs and more serious infractions for years. WWE eventually rehired her, before getting rid of her soon after working a match against Asuka.
3 Mike Chioda
Mike Chioda had been with WWE since 1989. He had been a part of some of the most legendary matches in the promotion's history and was one of the few referees fans recognized by name. His loyalty to the promotion was unquestioned, even taking a bump or two for the cause, and it really looked like he would spend the entirety of his career with WWE.
But then, WWE made the nonsensical and shocking decision to release him in April. WWE deemed it necessary to release several employees despite turning in profits; the layoffs did not just include jobbers or unnecessary personnel, it also included Chioda, a man who had spent most of his life with WWE. It was cold, heartless, and shocking.
2 Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Kennedy was on the verge of main event stardom in WWE; he was elite on the mic, decent in the ring and was primed to be revealed as Vince McMahon's illegitimate son, in addition to being the holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase.
But then an odd suspension and an injury or two later, Kennedy was out of the promotion altogether. Sure, John Cena and Randy Orton played a role in pushing him out, but fans were shocked to see the promotion give up on a main event prospect so quickly. Kennedy's career never really recovered, leaving him to be a case of 'what could have been?'
1 Damien Sandow
Damien Sandow was the complete package. Sure, he didn't look like he was carved from granite, but he was phenomenal on the mic, strong in the ring and had a fantastic connection with audiences.
He was one of the greatest character workers in the promotion, turning trash into absolute gold. But time and time again, WWE screwed him over. It was almost as if the promotion relished in giving him an opportunity, only to take it away. Sandow easily could have been a main event player for years to come, but instead he was relegated to forming the Meta Powers with Curtis Axel before being dumped by the promotion entirely. It isn't a coincidence that WWE was criticized for its handling of Sandow, it was a travesty.