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WWE's annual mass release made its return earlier this month. Once again, several WWE Superstars were released by the company due to alleged budget cuts. But some of the names released this time around on "Black Thursday" were very surprising.
In this dreadful time, we have seen the wrestling community stand in solidarity with their beloved superstars. One of the positives of being a WWE Superstar is that you attain global recognition. If you have wrestled in WWE, you will likely be in demand by other promotions.
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We know that when one door closes, another opens. Let's hope many of the released WWE Superstars are snatched up quickly. Here are a few ideal destinations for the now-former WWE Superstars.
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#5 Former WWE Superstar Kalisto - from WWE to AAA
If WWE ever found anyone remotely close to Rey Mysterio, it was Kalisto. Kalisto joined WWE in 2013 and had previously been part of a successful tag team in NXT with Sin Cara. Fighting/working together as "Lucha Dragons," the high-flying duo captured the NXT Tag Team Championships in 2014.
But the team would eventually split up, with Kalisto becoming a singles competitor. He went on to win the United States Championship from Alberto Del Rio in 2015. The WWE Superstar would lose the title but regain it at the 2016 Royal Rumble, making him a two-time United States Champion.
Later on, Kalisto joined the 205 Live roster. There, he would defeat the Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore in a lumberjack match. However, he dropped the title back to Enzo at 2017's TLC pay-per-view.
He then formed a partnership with fellow luchadors Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado, with the trio calling themselves the "Lucha House Party."
Kalisto's release is not very shocking as, despite being a talented professional, he has been heavily underutilized in WWE for years. His style would fit perfectly with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, having already wrestled under the brand previously.
Another AAA run would be an ideal move for the former Samuray del Sol. AAA has some solid champions in their company, as well as a working relationship with AEW.
That means Kalisto could have fantastic Lucha libre matches with Fenix, Pentagon Jr, Drago, Daga, Laredo Kid, and even with Kenny Omega, who is the current AAA Mega Champion.
#4 Former WWE Superstar Bo Dallas - from WWE to NWA
Another interesting release was that of WWE Superstar Bo Dallas. A few weeks earlier, Dallas joining his real-life brother, fellow Superstar The Fiend Bray Wyatt, in a storyline seemed like a good idea to revive Bo's stagnant career. But now, after his release, we can only imagine what could have been!
It's hard to comprehend the downfall of Bo Dallas, considering he's a former NXT Champion. After he made his debut on the main roster, it was clear WWE had little or no creative plans for him. Still, he managed to stick around for a 13-year long stint with the company.
During this time, he was given a significant role only twice; first in "The Miztourage" and then again in "The B-Team." Apart from those two instances, his WWE main roster run was unremarkable.
Bo is only 30 years old, and it could be argued the perfect company for him would be the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance). Before the pandemic hit, the NWA was on the rise with their newly repackaged program.
The roster looked fantastic, and it presented a more traditional wrestling-based alternative to the market. But since the lockdown, NWA has lost a few prominent stars like Eli Drake and Ricky Starks.
A former WWE Superstar like Bo Dallas joining the NWA would be a perfect fit to help the company reinstate some of that lost star power. His successful NXT persona would be apt for the NWA audience.
#3 Former WWE Superstar Chelsea Green - from WWE to AEW
WWE’s traditional annual cleaning saw Chelsea Green being released by the company too.
Chelsea Green earned her marketability earlier in her career while working for IMPACT Wrestling. She won the IMPACT Knockouts Championship before asking for her release.
After her successful WWE tryouts, Green joined the NXT roster in 2018. But over the next few years she suffered a reoccurring wrist injury, sidelining her from in-ring competition a few times.
The former WWE Superstar released an emotional statement after her release, thanking everyone for the opportunity. After the completion of her 90-day no-compete clause, it is expected that many other promotions would welcome her.
AEW has several former WWE and IMPACT stars in its male division but doesn't have many recognizable female names. AEW needs top stars to elevate its women's division and bringing in Cheslea Green could be the perfect fit.
Having already worked for IMPACT, Chelsea could be given a more significant role and a larger audience at AEW. However, given the working relationship between the two companies, it's always possible she could appear on both brands.
#2 Former WWE Superstars The IIconics - from WWE to IMPACT
Billie Kay was one of the first wrestlers announced to be released by WWE this year. Moments later, her real-life best friend, Peyton Royce, was also handed the same fate. The WWE Superstars were charismatic together as a tag team and had previously won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 35.
Billie Kay's was a name that particularly shocked many fans. She has recently been one of the most entertaining stars on SmackDown. She was also featured at WrestleMania 37, where she partnered up with Carmella in the women's tag team turmoil match.
Despite the fact they were great together as a tag team, WWE chose to break The IIconics apart. This left both WWE Superstars directionless. Billie, however, found herself entertaining fans with her comedy. She would hand over her resume to different female wrestlers, and other on-screen characters, in an attempt to find a new tag team partner. These segments were fun and became every week's highlight on SmackDown.
The silver lining in their release is that they have both been released together. Both IIconics members can carry on working as a tag team again for the next promotion they join, assuming they join together. IMPACT Wrestling could be tailor-made for the former IIconics teammates.
IMPACT Wrestling is home to the Knockouts Tag Team Championship, so women's tag teams are a natural fit for the company. Along with their star power, the duo would bring valuable experience from the big stage to IMPACT.
The former WWE Superstars' inclusion could elevate IMPACT's women's division further. They could also make trips to Tony Khan's AEW, if the opportunity presented itself.
#1 Former WWE Superstar Samoa Joe - from WWE to AEW
One of the biggest names to be released this time around was WWE Superstar Samoa Joe. The fans have missed seeing Joe wrestle for quite some time now. After suffering concussion-related injuries, Joe had been working on RAW as a commentator.
Joe was a two-time NXT Champion in WWE. His time on NXT will fondly be remembered for his spectacular bouts against Finn Balor, amongst others. The pair also won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic together in 2015.
Unlike several others, Samoa Joe was given a good push after his main roster debut, including engaging rivalries against Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles. The WWE Superstar won the WWE United States Championship on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, however, his injuries sidelined him, eventually resulting in his release.
The Samoan Submission Machine is still an incredible performer. He has remarkable flexibility for a man of his size and mountains of experience. He has won championships in Ring of Honor, IMPACT, and WWE. The only thing left for Joe is to make a statement in AEW
We know AEW apparently doesn't want to hire every former WWE Superstar, but this one is too good to ignore. Samoa Joe brings a massive fan following along with him that would help AEW gain more viewership. The company is just beginning to make its mark, and a guy like Joe will attract a lot of traditional fans to the product.
Joe could also have a few dream matches with AEW stars like Kenny Omega, Darby Allin, Lance Archer, and Jon Moxley. Don't forget that MJF also has a bit of unfinished business with the Samoan that he would be more than happy to settle.
