7 real-life couples who’ve departed WWE recently: Where are they now?

Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins recently welcomed their first child together, while Leon Ruff and Aja Smith got engaged in 2020. Even though many current real-life couples are working in the company, a few couples have departed from WWE in the past few years.

Some of these superstars asked for their releases in search of other opportunities, while others were unfortunately cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, WWE has always been the land of opportunities for wrestlers, and fans could see a few of the couples return to the company sooner rather than later.

Let’s take a look at seven couples who’ve departed WWE recently, and what they are doing today.

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#7 Maria and Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett) were released by WWE together

Maria is one of the most popular female WWE Superstars of all time. Maria is a decent performer inside the ring, however her mic and acting skills set her apart from the rest of the WWE roster.

Maria was part of WWE for over eight years, spread across two stints. Meanwhile, Mike Kanellis joined the company in 2017 along with his wife.

Both superstars were not used up to their full potential by the company, and they were put into some questionable storylines late in their WWE careers. In April 2020, Maria and Mike were released by WWE as part of the company’s efforts to cut costs.

Maria spoke with DropKick Podcast and opened up about Mike’s future in the industry and a possible return to WWE somewhere down the line.

"I'm sure that Mike will at some point. That’s just how that company rolls. For me, there would have to be some guaranteed money. I've always done the contracts where it's like you know, there's a downside but that's not guaranteed and two tiny ones. With how many years I've spent in this industry and I gave WWE over 8 years of my life. I think there'd have to be some guaranteed money."

"I don't know. I'm open to anything, wrestling wise. It's not at the forefront of my mind. For Mike that's everything to him. That's all he cares about is wrestling and being a really good professional wrestler. For me if the opportunity were to come about like came about in Impact I would love that."

The couple seem ready to continue their wrestling journey with Ring of Honor (ROH) in the months to come. WWE could look to re-sign the couple once the COVID-19 pandemic loosens its grip and allows the company to host more live shows.

#6 Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) and Rachael Ellering worked together in WWE before their departure

Kassius Ohno had two separate stints with WWE between 2011 and 2020. The superstar remained part of WWE NXT for most of his time in the company, and never really became a main eventer.

Ohno’s partner Rachael Ellering joined WWE in 2016. Rachael did not have much success with the WWE Universe, mainly due to an injury she suffered in 2019 which forced her to stay away from the ring for over a year.

Speaking with Inside The Ropes, Ohno opened up about his WWE career and whether he was ever destined to make it to the main roster.

“There was never a conversation with me about, ‘Hey, let’s get ready to pitch you going on the main roster at this point,’ it’s not something that was ever discussed in that way. It’s something that was on my mind, but not something that I was pushing for heavily because I just kind of understood the landscape of things. I knew my position and I knew the people that they were getting ready to call up and the people that they had groomed.”

Before Ohno could make it to the main roster, both superstars were released by the company in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Racheal has since competed for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact Wrestling. Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Ohno will return to WWE at some point or join some other promotion.

#5 Peyton Royce (Cassie Lee) could follow Tye Dillinger (Shawn Spears) to AEW after her WWE departure

Tye Dillinger’s first stint with WWE lasted just over three years between 2006-2009 before he returned to the company in 2013. Dillinger spent the early years of his second stint in WWE NXT before moving to the main roster.

Peyton Royce came into WWE from Australia in 2015. She went on to form The IIconics with Billie Kay on NXT before both superstars moved to the main roster. Dillinger and Royce started dating during their time in NXT and became a well-known couple in the company.

Dillinger surprisingly asked for his release from WWE in February 2019 after remaining underutilized for several months. He went on to join All Elite Wrestling (AEW) soon after his release and revealed how WWE helped him appear at Double or Nothing.

"They knew that Double or Nothing had been announced at the time that I asked for my release. They are not stupid, they have their thumb on the pulse of what's happening in the wrestling world. I asked for my release on my birthday, February 19th, I was verbally granted it on Friday, it was 22nd or something. But I needed the paperwork officially and I did not get that till the following week. Had they waited an extra 24 hours, I would not have been able to do Double or Nothing. I think WWE was being gracious. They knew what was going on. I think they allowed me out at that time and do whatever I want, including Double or Nothing."

The two wrestlers got married in August 2019 while working for rival promotions. Royce was recently released from her WWE contract in April 2021 as part of the company’s efforts to cut costs to stay afloat.

It’s likely that Royce too will end up on AEW and join her husband once her non-compete clause expires.

#4 Zack Ryder (Matt Cordana) and Chelsea Green could end up on the same promotion again after WWE

Zack Ryder’s WWE career spanned nearly fifteen years. During that time, Ryder went on to win the Intercontinental, United States, and RAW Tag Team Championships. Meanwhile, Chelsea Green joined WWE in 2018 after making a name for herself in Impact Wrestling.

The two started dating in 2017 and got engaged in 2019 after working on different brands for the company.

Ryder was released from his WWE contract in April 2020 as part of the company's budget cut. Chelsea Green was released from her contract a year later after suffering from an arm injury.

Green opened up about her relationship with Ryder and how he reacted to her release from the WWE during a recent interview.

“He has been so, so great. First of all, he warned me that this was coming,” Green said. “Not necessarily to me, that I was going to get fired, but he did call me and give me a 10-minute gap between the time he told me people are letting go and me getting let go. He gave me that warning then I texted him and said, ‘Okay, I’ve been released.’ I’m not joking: he was home within 30 minutes. My Pro-Wrestling Tees store was up, he’s all go go go! Even harder than I was. I think that’s kind of the same way I felt when he was released. I was like what do we need to do? It’s nice to have someone on the other side of things keeping my head clear. But he’s so positive it’s been really nice. I’m able to bounce my ideas off of him.”

Since his release, Ryder has worked for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), followed by Impact Wrestling. Green, on the other hand, is still waiting to join another promotion once her non-compete clause comes to an end.

Green will likely return to Impact Wrestling too once she is ready to return to the ring.

#3 Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Renee Young (Renee Paquette) haven't worked together since their time in WWE

Dean Ambrose became the first big name to leave WWE and join All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Ambrose was part of a storyline with Seth Rollins when he decided that it was time to leave the company and look for better opportunities.

Ambrose was part of WWE from 2011 to 2019, and it was there where he met his future wife, Renee Young. The two started dating in 2013 and eventually got married in 2017.

Ambrose let his contract expire in April 2019, and went on to join AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) following his departure.

Renee continued her job as a backstage interviewer and color commentator in WWE until late 2020. In a recent interview, Renee spoke about how her job as a commentator became much easier after her husband departed from WWE.

“It actually made my life easier, to be honest. One of the hardest parts was I started doing commentary when he came back from injury. He came back and was coming back as this heel character and calling my husband’s matches, while he’s this wacky heel, was a really hard spot to be in. Somedays, I would get the feedback of, ‘Just call it like a wrestling match. You don’t know him’, to ‘What’d you guys have for dinner for last night? What’d you guys talk about at home over the weekend?’ I had no idea how to navigate that.”

She’s also spoken about potentially joining AEW in the future and working in the same company as her husband.

“You look at AEW and I think everything they’re doing is fantastic. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do something there. I for sure would, if the right thing came up, but it’s not the thing that I’m chasing down.”

In November 2020, Renee and Ambrose announced that they were expecting their first child. In 2021, Renee began her own podcast Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette, which is streamed on various internet platforms.

#2 Lana could join Rusev (Miro) on AEW after leaving WWE

Rusev signed a contract with WWE in 2010 and soon became a part of the company’s NXT brand. The superstar proved to be a great heel, and WWE decided to give him a good push when he made his way to the main roster.

Rusev was initially paired with Lana on-screen, however the two developed feelings for each other in real-life as well. In July 2016, Lana and Rusev tied the knot to make things more official.

Rusev became a big name on WWE’s mid-card, but could never get over as a main eventer. He was one of the bigger names who was released from their contract in April 2020.

Following his release, Rusev took some time off before joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW). However, the former United States Champion spoke about why he had no harsh feelings for WWE and what he was looking to achieve in AEW.

“People ask me why I’m not bitter. WWE gave me a platform. I have the best fan base in the world. And that is where I met my wife. I love her to death. If nothing else came of it, I met my wife. So I can’t be bitter. There is no point to that.”

“I came to America for an opportunity, the kind I wasn’t given in my country,” Rusev said. “That’s all I want in AEW. That opportunity.

Lana continued to feature on WWE TV following Rusev’s release. She started competing in the ring more and became a prominent female wrestler. However, she was among the superstars who were recently released from the company due to budget cuts.

Lana could end up joining her husband Rusev on AEW once her non-compete clause comes to an end. The couple could end up having a better storyline on the promotion and make their mark outside WWE.

#1 Aleister Black (Tommy End) and Zelina Vega (Thea Trinidad) could end up anywhere after WWE

Aleister Black and Zelina Vega met during their time in WWE. Surprisingly, the two superstars never worked together even when they were part of the same brands for extended periods.

Black became the WWE NXT Champion in April 2018, and the two superstars went on to get married in November 2018. While it was expected that both Black and Vega would remain with the company for a long time and achieve great success, both were released separately.

Vega was released from her contract in November 2020 after going against one of WWE’s new policies. The Dutchman’s time in WWE came to an end in June 2021 after he was surprisingly released while working on a return to SmackDown.

Black streamed on Vega’s Twitch channel following his release and revealed a very interesting plan for him that was scrapped.

"Funny story, there was a moment where I was actually supposed to win the US title, but then Vince's consensus were 'I don't wanna have him have his first title win in front of no audience'. So, there was always good stuff going on. Like there's a lot of good stories, a lot of like almost happened moments. So I can't be negative," said Aleister Black.

The two superstars could end up joining any promotion they like as they have a rather big fanbase. But WWE too could end up signing both superstars again once fans start returning to the arenas.

It will be interesting to see what the couple decides to do after being released by WWE separately.