6 mistakes WWE has made so far in 2021

#1. Several popular WWE stars with potential were released.

WWE has released over 60 stars this year from both NXT and the main roster. While a few stars like Andrade and Bray Wyatt (July 31st) were released individually, there have been five huge days of cuts.

On April 15th, cuts included Chelsea Green, the IIconics, and Mickie James. On June 2nd, it was Ruby Riott, Buddy Murphy, Aleister Black, and Braun Strowman.

Several names from NXT were released at the end of June and even more departed on August 6th. Bronson Reed, Bobby Fish, Mercedes Martinez, and Tyler Rust were among the notable names let go in early August.

November 4th was the latest day of reckoning for both WWE and NXT stars. The likes of Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Franky Monet, Ember Moon, and Nia Jax were let go. Some of those stars, like Kross and Lee, could have been future Champions.

Monet was ready-made for the main roster, but WWE wants to create its own stars. She still had a defined character and was solid in the ring. Some rumors surfaced around Kross following his release. He would have been a unique presence in the upper mid-card, but constant character shifts doomed his chances.

Rumors also came up after Lee's release. The Limitless One dealt with an extremely difficult 2021 and only returned over the summer. Lee had all the tools to be a main-event player in WWE but wasn't able to regain the momentum he created in NXT.

Wyatt, Strowman, and Black were all unique characters unlike any other in the company. The IIconics would have been perfect for the new character-driven focus of WWE.

If it was for age, reported attitude issues, or budgetary reasons, WWE released several stars that could have carried the company in the future. The sides didn't always see eye to eye but most things could have been resolved.

With a new business model and revamped NXT, however, WWE has drastically changed its strategy with Nick Khan.