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WWE announced on April 15th that they would be releasing several talents from their employment. This comes a year after the infamous "Black Wednesday," which saw WWE release many superstars.
Last year, many of the names came as a surprise. Rusev, Lio Rush, Heath Slater, and Erick Rowan saw themselves out the door. This year, stars like the IIconics, Samoa Joe and Mickie James have all been released.
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Now that they're released by the company, the rumor mill is bound to start spinning. We can only speculate on where these superstars will end up once. So let's do that and wonder what each star's future holds!
#8 Former WWE NXT Tag Team champ Wesley Blake's future up in the air
It's sad that Blake and Murphy were never a thing on the main roster. The duo were wildly successful in NXT and even had a reign as tag team Champions.
When the duo separated, WWE wasn't sure what to do with them. The group disbanded to solidify their manager Alexa Bliss as a solo competitor on the main roster while Blake and Murphy were left floundering on their own.
Murphy eventually found his footing in the Cruiserweight division, but Blake was still left wondering until NXT put him in The Forgotten Sons. The stable looked promising as dominating biker characters, but didn't make much of a note in NXT.
The group was eventually brought up to the main roster as part of SmackDown but they didn't make a splash. They eventually disbanded, leaving Blake alone once again.
Wesley Blake clearly has talent. His athletic abilities have never been his downside, but his charisma seems lacking, thus why he's been in so many teams. Maybe a round in AEW's stacked tag division would do him good. He could also become a solo competitor in the indie scene.
#7. WWE's Chelsea Green couldn't catch a break
Chelsea Green's WWE run is truly a tragic tale. The women's star had the potential in the world leading up to her debut. Then fate intervened in the worst way possible.
When Green made her official debut on SmackDown, she took part in a fatal four-way match to determine who would be a part of the Women's Survivor Series elimination match. In the bout, she suffered a broken wrist, which prevented her from winning.
Green can be a hot commodity in the market now that she's been released from WWE. With women's wrestling now a vital role in all companies, the more female talent any company has, the better.
Chelsea could find her way into IMPACT wrestling, considering she previously worked in the company as Laurel Van Ness, a crazed character.
Green also has a relationship with current Impact star Matt Cardona, so don't be surprised to see her in IMPACT once again.
#6. Tucker leaves with his head held high
It might seem WWE doesn't like tag-team wrestling much. Like Blake, Tucker was undone by the fact his popular tag-act was separated for seemingly little reason.
Tucker was one half of the popular tag duo Heavy Machinery. Alongside Otis, the two got massively over as an all-around act. They were funny, athletic, and physically impressive.
WWE split the team up to push Otis as a comedy mid-card act. He even went as far as winning The Money In The Bank briefcase. Sadly, this left Tucker with little to do. Even his turn on Otis felt underwhelming.
Tucker is a big man who can move. There are not many people his size who can do the stuff he can do in the ring. The near 300-pounder can pull off a moonsault of all things!
Much like Albert in the 2000s, Tucker could make his way to Japan and be treated as a giant, an outside monster.
#5. WWE failed to Bo-lieve in Bo Dallas
WWE could've treated Bo Dallas better in our opinion. Dallas became the first in a long line of NXT call-ups that didn't live up to their developmental run.
It's easy to forget Bo was once an NXT champion. The guy just understood his character inside and out. Much like his brother Bray Wyatt, Dallas understood what could get him over. He was also a nice hand in the ring.
Unfortunately, he was regulated to a jobber pretty quickly after his main roster debut. The son of IRS and brother of Bray Wyatt never got the chance to show what he's made of.
It's been speculated that Dallas has been preparing for a life outside wrestling. But if Bo does decides to continue wrestling, he could have a very entertaining run in the indies. His naive inspirational gimmick would draw some serious attention in smaller promotions.
#4. Former WWE U.S. Champion Kalisto is in search of a new home
Kalisto was a true in-ring talent in WWE but didn't get enough opportunities to live up to his potential. He had a great look, impeccable wrestling acumen, and connection with the fans.
The GLOAT saw some success in the WWE. He was a former U.S. Champion and a former NXT Tag Champion alongside Sin Cara in the Lucha Dragons. His success just might draw eyes from promoters all around the world.
Realistically, Kalisto could go anywhere. He has the skills and ability to compete in any major promotion. in fact, fiven the right circumstances, he could be a potential big player somewhere in the wrestling business.
The Lucha-star could find himself in AEW with other high-flyers. He could even end up in IMPACT Wrestling where there's no one like him at the moment.
But the safest bet would be Mexico, where Kalisto could prove a hot prospect in CMLL or AAA.
#3. The IIconics are released from WWE
WWE is in desperate need of female tag teams for the division. That's why it came as such a shock when the news of the company releasing the much-beloved IIconics broke. Granted, they were separated, but it still doesn't make much sense.
WWE broke up the duo hoping to push Peyton Royce, but both members ended up floundering within weeks of their split. They even tried to put Peyton Royce and Billie Kay into new teams with different roster members.
The company broke up the former women's tag champs when it needs tag teams for the division. They also broke up a fan favorite act with seemingly no plans on what to do with the two superstars after the fact.
The IIconics are lumped together because it's safe to assume they'll reappear as a duo. Maybe they'll appear in IMPACT or AEW's strong Women's division.
#2. WWE loses a legend in Mickie James
Typically when WWE brings a legend back, they do so with intention. In Mickie James' case, her finding her way back into the company seemed directionless from the start.
The legend of women's wrestling came in as part of a storyline where she wore a fake Lucha outfit. From there, she didn't do much. She never really put anyone over, nor did she get a proper send-off match.
Now that she's a free agent, James could go anywhere to give her shine to any prospective women's division.
She could end up in IMPACT where she used to wrestle. It also seems highly probable she could go to NWA to work alongside her husband, Nick Aldis. With NWA's working relationship with AEW, she could even have a match or two there!
#1. WWE shockingly cuts Samoa Joe
WWE has made the strange decision to cut Samoa Joe as part of this round of releases. This choice is the most perplexing one the company has made in some time.
Joe has been nursing an injury for a while now. It only seemed a matter of days before the much-beloved wrestler returned to the WWE ring. This is why many fans don't understand why WWE released the man who has brought great worth to the company.
The Samoan Bulldozer could go anywhere and become an asset. Joe has repeatedly proven that he brings value in any promotion he steps foot in. The man helped put TNA on the map.
Joe could go back to IMPACT. But he currently has many friends in AEW. At this stage in Samoa Joe's career, he deserves the spotlight. Going to AEW puts him back on a popular televised product with the option to cross-work in IMPACT Wrestling.
