5 Possibilities for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson after their WWE release

It's been a heartbreaking day, to say the least.

The emotions are running high as WWE released a host of Superstars and backstage personnel, and two of them were surprisingly Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

No one expected Gallows and Anderson to feature on the lengthy list of talents that were shown the door, but that's how the situation has gone down and it's now time to look forward.

It's an odd scenario to breakdown as AJ Styles is still in the company and it brings just one burning question to our minds - What happens to The O.C.? Well, we' can analyze and speculate about that in another in-depth article.

In this article, however, we'll focus on the future possibilities for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

Gallows and Anderson are two of the most seasoned tag team specialists currently active in the industry and it shouldn't be difficult for them to find another solid gig.

However, what will that be? Let's take a look at the possibilities that await the duo.

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#5. A Return to NJPW and a Bullet Club reunion

It's the first and most obvious option on the list.

Gallows and Anderson rose to become one of the best tag teams in the world in New Japan Pro Wrestling and they would surely be welcomed back to the Land of the Rising Sun with open arms.

Another tantalizing possibility is a Bullet Club reunion, which is a no-brainer if they do go back to NJPW.

One of the founding members of the legendary faction, Tama Tonga was also quick to send out a teaser on Twitter immediately following the releases of Gallows and Anderson.

NJPW has also shut down their operations due to the ongoing pandemic and they wouldn't mind having Gallows and Anderson back on board when they eventually resume running shows.

The former IWGP Tag Team Champions are comfortable working in Japan and they will be used appropriately as they are established names in the country. It's the safest and most logical decision to make.

#4. AEW

All Elite Wrestling has become a go-to destination for all the talents that have left WWE.

To AEW's credit, the company has done a fine job of turning misused former WWE talents into legitimate stars.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson came into the WWE with the reputation of being one of the best teams in the world.

Despite winning the tag team titles on a couple of occasions, Anderson and Gallows never really came across looking like the best. They did win the tag team world cup in WWE but we all know that was just a titular title and meant nothing in the grander scheme of things.

Just like many other tag teams in WWE, Gallows and Anderson didn't reach their full potential. AEW, however, offers them a viable platform to showcase their refined skills.

AEW's tag team division has some exceptional talent and the biggest names in the division were all once a part of the Bullet Club in NJPW.

Gallows and Anderson will add a lot of experience and depth to AEW's tag team division and the roster as a whole.

AEW is an appealing option as the promotion offers creative freedom, lesser dates and a sizeable pay package that is supposedly on par with what WWE offers.

It is a win-win situation for both Gallows and Anderson and AEW officials.

#3. A break from wrestling before returning to the indies

Since joining WWE in 2016, Gallows and Anderson have endured the challenging schedule of WWE. They have been on the road for an unhealthy number of days and they wouldn't mind a break now that they have been released from the company.

The pandemic has completely shut down the independent circuit as we speak and it may take a while until everything gets back to its former state.

This is the best time for Gallows and Anderson to recharge their batteries, spend some time with their loved ones, and get back to business once coronavirus is a thing of the past.

Working for multiple independent promotions will help them restore their damaged rep before potentially signing a full-time deal with any of the major promotions out there.

Various independent promotions, which would survive the pandemic, would also be looking for a few big names to re-ignite business. Gallows and Anderson will help get some much-needed attention on the companies who manage to book them.

The indies will need established names to get back on track and Gallows and Anderson can get the job done.

#2. Impact Wrestling

The glory days of TNA/Impact Wrestling are well behind us but those who religiously follow the promotion these days will tell you how good it is. The content is unique and somewhat wacky, but it reeks of creative freedom that is reportedly not always afforded in WWE.

Impact Wrestling may not be able to provide Gallows and Anderson with a WWE-like pay scale, but the promotion will give the duo the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and to try out gimmicks that you may not find in any other big-time promotion.

Impact Wrestling has a good blend of experienced and up-and-coming talents on their roster and they even have a TV deal, which all make the company an attractive destination for the 2-time WWE Tag Team Champions.

They will also get a solid push in Impact, where they will be positioned as the pivot of the tag team division currently helmed by Josh Alexander and Ethan Page of The North.

It's interesting to note that Gallows spent two years in TNA from 2011 to 2013 before he got picked up by NJPW.

A move to Impact Wrestling may not materialize as Gallows and Anderson would rather prefer joining NJPW or AEW due to the familiarity factor, however, Impact is a left-field option that can take their respective careers in a very interesting direction.

#1. Solo runs

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are both impressive solo performers in their own right and the fact that they are often gets buried by their accomplishments as a unit.

Gallows and Anderson have won titles all over the world and it may be time for them to explore the solo route.

While Luke Gallows has spent the majority of his career in tag teams and stables, he is capable enough to have a singles run.

The well-traveled veteran is surprisingly just 36 years old and he still has a lot left in the tank despite wrestling for over 15 years. Gallows can be a believable big man in any promotion that can utilize him to the fullest. Experience comes into play yet again as Gallows has worked in every major promotion around the globe, against different opponents of varied in-ring styles.

Karl Anderson has also been in various tag teams since the beginning of his career, however, he has had more exposure as a singles talent, most notably before he made it to NJPW.

The fans have gotten used to seeing Gallows and Anderson together and it would be refreshing to see both of them go into uncharted territory. You never know, we may be treated to some magic.