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2021 has been a mixed year for WWE with several changes over the 12 months. The most positive one has been the return of fans, enhancing the viewing experience of RAW, SmackDown, and pay-per-views.
The most negative change this year has been the mass releases. WWE let go a staggering amount of talent in 2921, with multiple sets of releases almost every month since WrestleMania 37.
These budget cuts have led to a plethora of shocking names among the cuts, including former world champions and promising stars. A lot of them were great fits for the company.
Here are the ten most surprising WWE stars released in 2021.
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NOTE: This list will not cover the most recent WWE main roster superstars as they are still in their 90-day non-compete clauses. The most surprising names from that group include Jeff Hardy, Keith Lee, and the entirety of Hit Row.
#10. Franky Monet
WWE released NXT's Franky Monet in November, who wasn't bound to a 30-day no-complete clause. This was surprising, considering how much of an asset Monet could've been to WWE's women's division.
Known as Taya Valkyrie again, she returned to AAA at TripleMania Regia on December 4. Valkyrie didn't hold back in her response to being let go by WWE, urging fans to stop supporting a company that has "zero respect for their talent" after John Morrison, her husband, also got released.
#9. Buddy Murphy – Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion
Buddy Murphy seemed to have a bright future in WWE, having defeated the likes of Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins clean. But he wasn't used to his abilities and ended up being released on June 2.
The former face of 205 Live has wrestled in several places since then, most notably for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Buddy Matthews, as he is now known, made his NJPW debut against Kazuchika Okada at the Battle in the Valley event in November.
#8. Bronson Reed – Former NXT North American Champion
The second Australian on this list, Bronson Reed seemed set to debut on WWE's main roster upon the return of fans but was released in August. Fortunately, the former NXT North American Champion hasn't been short of work since then.
Now known as JONAH, the big man appeared in New Japan Pro Wrestling and IMPACT Wrestling. He confronted IMPACT World Champion Moose at NJPW Battle in the Valley and attacked Josh Alexander at Turning Point a week later. JONAH could be in the running for the IMPACT World Title soon.
#7. Peyton Royce & #6 Billie Kay – Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
The first complete batch of WWE releases came shortly after WrestleMania 37, where Billie Kay teamed up with Carmella in a Tag Team Gauntlet Match. That makes her release more surprising, considering how entertaining she had been on SmackDown in 2021.
Peyton Royce was also let go that day, which is a shame as The IIconics were one of WWE's most popular female tag teams even if they were separated. The two best friends reunited in IMPACT Wrestling and instantly won the Knockouts Tag Team Championship in their debut at Bound For Glory in October.
They're now known as Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee, with their new team called The IInspiration. McKay and Lee even launched a variety podcast together titled Off Her Chops.
#5. Samoa Joe – Former WWE United States Champion
Also azmong the post-WrestleMania WWE cuts, Samoa Joe was a RAW commentator until The Show of Shows. He's the only name on this list who returned to WWE since being released, becoming a part of NXT once again.
Joe was initially William Regal's enforcer before starting an intense feud with Karrion Kross, who would also be released a few months later. The in-ring veteran defeated Kross to become a three-time NXT Champion at NXT TakeOver 36.
However, an undisclosed injury forced Joe to vacate the title less than a week before the launch of NXT 2.0. He has also been a talent scout for the brand since his return.
#4. Ruby Riott
Ruby Riott was part of the group of talent WWE released on June 2, featuring some shocking names. Her release came as a surprise, considering SmackDown's thinning women's division at the time.
Riott is well-liked among her former peers in WWE. This fact was evident on social media as she debuted in AEW under her new name Ruby Soho. She won the Casino Battle Royale at All Out before unsuccessfully challenging Dr. Britt Baker DMD for the AEW Women's Championship.
Soho has remained a prominent figure and is now in the final of the TBS Championship Tournament, which will take place in two weeks on Dynamite.
#3. Braun Strowman – Former WWE Universal Champion
Braun Strowman seemed like a WWE lifer considering his size and strengths in the ring. He was the Universal Champion less than a year before his release on June 2, having challenged for the WWE Championship on pay-per-view a few weeks earlier.
Strowman is now going by his real name Adam Scherr, along with the moniker 'The Titan' after his recent re-emergence. He's now a part of the 'Control Your Narrative' stable alongside former WWE Superstars EC3 and Westin Blake.
The group has teased the addition of Karrion Kross, who is under a 90-day no-compete clause following his WWE release last month.
#2. Aleister Black
WWE made an error with Aleister Black's contract as he only had a 30-day non-compete clause. His release was quite bizarre as he had been re-introduced on SmackDown. Black even began a program with Big E before WWE let him go on June 2.
A month later, Malakai Black debuted on AEW Dynamite and attacked Cody Rhodes. Black even defeated Rhodes multiple times during their feud.
He's currently one of the most over stars on AEW's stacked roster while also appearing in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Malakai Black teamed with Brody King to win the PWG World Tag Team Championship.
#1. Bray Wyatt – Former WWE Champion
Probably the most shocking WWE release in 2021, Bray Wyatt was let go at the end of July. He was one of the biggest needle movers on the roster, which did not add up with the "budget cuts" explanation that was initially given.
This came over three months after his final television appearance on an episode of the Firefly Fun House on the RAW after WrestleMania 37. Wyatt's last match came at The Show of Shows, where he lost to Randy Orton following a distraction from Alexa Bliss.
The three-time world champion reportedly wanted out of the company and "made a lot of noise about it," following a frustrating period for his character. Bray Wyatt is currently shooting a feature film with Callosum Studios owner and special makeup effects artist Jason Baker.
It seems like Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, is in no rush to return to wrestling. His silver screen debut may come before his in-ring comeback. Could this be the start of a successful Hollywood career for Bray Wyatt? He certainly has a mind that is creative enough.
