5 WWE Superstars you may have forgotten were released in 2021: Where are they now?

WWE released almost a hundred superstars in 2021 in order to maintain their budget following the COVID-19 pandemic. The company had regular budget cuts which saw mass talent culls and meant that many of their biggest stars were released.

Whilst the likes of Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Ruby Riott, Chelsea Green and numerous other stars have remained in the spotlight following their release, there are others who have dropped off the radar.

The following list looks at just five forgotten WWE Superstars that were released in 2021, and what they are doing now.

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#5. Former WWE Superstar Mia Yim - Streaming on Twitch (awaiting non-compete clause)

Mia Yim was seen as a hot prospect in the WWE Women's Division during her time in NXT. After making it clear that she wasn't a regular female wrestler and she was willing to put her body on the line to get what she wants, The HBIC was promoted to the main roster.

As part of RETRIBUTION, Yim was rarely able to wrestle and instead was relegated to being a valet whilst the rest of the group were in action. Under the ring name RECKONING, Yim was unable to continue the character she had created in NXT, but when the group split, this was considered to be her second chance.

The former NXT Superstar failed to appear on-screen following RETRIBUTION's split in March 2021 and was later released alongside a number of other superstars, including her husband Keith Lee.

Like many other former superstars, Yim has become a popular figure on Twitch since her release. It's noted on her Instagram account that she is also an aspiring voice actress.

Yim's 90-day non-compete clause with WWE will end on February 2nd following her release on November 4th, which means that The HBIC will finally be able to step back into the business and move forward with the company of her choice.

Her husband Keith Lee's clause also expires at the same time, so the couple will be looking to take "Yimitless" worldwide once again.

#4. Former WWE Superstar Tucker - Started a new venture called "Holistic Headlocks"

Tucker rose through the ranks in WWE alongside Otis as one-half of Heavy Machinery before the decision was made to split the duo up.

Otis was in the middle of a storyline with Mandy Rose and The Miz which led to Tucker turning on him and costing him the Money in the Bank briefcase.

It's clear that there were no plans in place for Tucker following the split since the star remained on SmackDown and was used sparingly and only in matches to make up the numbers.

The former NXT Superstar was released from the company in April 2021, which means that he has already sat out his non-compete clause.

Tucker and his wife recently welcomed a baby girl who he revealed was called Storm, whilst also working on a new venture called "Holistic Headlock."

Tucker noted on his Instagram page that he and Green Beret Roman Rozell would be sharing holistic mental health strategies to include a tribe environment with the slogan "Accountability is everything."

Tucker has already shared his first video online and it appears the duo seem to be pushing forward with their new venture.

#3. Former WWE Superstar Alexander Wolfe - Independent Wrestler now known as Axel Tischer

Alexander Wolfe is perhaps best remembered in WWE for his time in Sanity, before later becoming part of Imperium.

Wolfe was a star who had so much potential but was sent back to NXT UK rather than allowed to flourish on the main roster. After being kicked out of Imperium in May 2021, it became clear that there were no future plans for Wolfe and he was then released from the company just weeks later in June.

Wolfe later noted that WWE allowed him to work to the end of his contract before then letting him depart on June 16th.

Over the past few months, Wolfe has been able to return to his roots and continue to push forward on the Independent Circuit. Under his real name Axel Tischner, the former superstar has wrestled for numerous companies in America and Europe since his release.

Tischer was even able to lift the WXW Unified World Wrestling Championship in November. The German Star, who is now known as The AXEMAN, still holds the Championship with his reign heading into its third month.

#2. Former WWE Superstar Buddy Murphy - Now known by the ring name Buddy Matthews

Buddy Murphy made a name for himself in NXT as one-half of Blake and Murphy, before later going on to make a splash on WWE's 205 Live brand. Murphy was able to get into the shape of his career in order to qualify for the show and later become the Cruiserweight Champion.

Murphy was then pushed into a main event level storyline with Seth Rollins and the Mysterio family, before being unceremoniously released before the angle was completely wrapped up.

Along with many other big names, Murphy was released from the company on June 2nd, before then being forced to sit out his non-compete clause.

The former champion was then able to continue his work in the wrestling business, making an appearance for NJPW back in November, where he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada at Battle in the Valley.

Murphy has continued to put the time in at the gym and is now in incredible shape, whilst also advertising the fact that he is back on the Independent Circuit and open to bookings in the coming months.

#1. Former WWE Superstar Ember Moon - Sitting out her non-compete clause (February 2nd)

Ember Moon was part of WWE for more than six years and was able to make quite the name for herself on NXT and the main roster in that time.

The former NXT Women's Champion was seen as The War Goddess and was once one of the only women in the company who was able to overcome the threat of Shayna Baszler.

After a long layoff with an ACL injury, Moon returned to NXT and was able to win the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, before her shock release on November 4th.

Moon has since made it clear that she will continue to be part of the business and has changed her Instagram to the name Athena Palmer, which appears to be the ring name that she will be using going forward.

The former champion is able to wrestle for other companies from February 2nd since she was a main roster talent when she was released so she was given a 90-day non-compete clause.

Moon has also been putting in extra hours in the gym and in the ring to ensure that she makes quite an impression upon her return.