The year 2023 has been a profitable one for WWE. Merging with the UFC thanks to an Endeavor deal to form TKO Group Holdings, the company is ready to start a new chapter. Unfortunately, that means changes such as letting go of wrestlers.
On Thursday, September 21, WWE had a record day. It announced a Premium Live Event in Australia in February and that SmackDown would go from FOX to the USA Network. The deal is for five years and worth $1.4 billion starting in 2024, with NBC paying $287 million per year. Per the Wall Street Journal, it represents a 40% increase over the deal WWE had with Fox. Sounds like great news, right?
An hour after the second announcement, WWE started releasing talent, wishing them well in their future endeavors. The company did something similar in 2021 amid record profits and the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former world champions and recent hires were let go of their contracts, with a 90-day no-compete clause in effect.
The Sporting News will be tracking the latest reported releases throughout 2023 below.
MORE: All you need to know about the WWE and UFC merger, TKO Group Holdings
WWE releases 2023
Dolph Ziggler
- Release: September 21
One of the biggest releases from the company was Dolphy Ziggler. Real name Nick Nemeth, Ziggler has been with WWE since 2004. He was a member of The Spirit Squad, coming through WWE's OVW developmental territory.
Repackaged as Dolph Ziggler in 2008, he is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in WWE over the last few years. Ziggler has held the following titles in WWE: World Heavyweight, United States, Intercontinental, Smackdown and Raw Tag Team, and NXT Title. He is also a former Mr. Money in the Bank, with the highlight of his career cashing in on Alberto Del Rio in 2013.
Outside of WWE, Ziggler is a three-time All-Mid-American Conference champion in wrestling from Kent State.
Mustafa Ali
- Release: September 21
The first wrestler to announce their release, Mustafa Ali was let go after initially requesting one.
No longer*. Sorry for the confusion.
— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@AliWWE) September 21, 2023
Real name Adeel Alam, Ali worked as a police officer when he started in the business. He competed all over the independent scene before joining WWE in 2016 for the Cruiserweight Classic. Ali competed for the Cruiserweight Title multiple times, as well as the Intercontinental Title. The former leader of Retribution, Ali was supposed to face Dominik Mysterio for the NXT North American Title at No Mercy on September 30.
Shelton Benjamin
- Release: September 21
A two-time All-American wrestler and teammate of Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin joined WWE in 2000. He's a former United States, Intercontinental, 24/7, and Tag Team Champion. While with WWE, he was a part of Team Angle and The Hurt Business, two dominant factions.
Outside of WWE, Benjamin is a former Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champion and competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
I have been released from my wwe contract. I thank @wwe staff , talent, and of course the fans for Everything. Something ends, something new Begins. Looking forward to my next Chapter
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) September 21, 2023
Elias
- Release: September 21
Elias, aka Jeffrey Sciullo, joined WWE in 2014, and his gimmick was a musician, playing the guitar. A fan favorite, Elias is a former IWC World Heavyweight and WWE 24/7 Champion.
From Drifting onto the scene..
— Elias (@IAmEliasWWE) September 21, 2023
To WrestleMania with John Cena & The Undertaker..
To Millions around the world for years Walking With Elias..
A #1 ITunes Album
& To being my own younger brother (ZEKE)
while traveling the world..
It’s been a blast.
God is Good!
Emma
- Release: September 21
It is the second time Emma, aka Tenille Dashwood, has been released by WWE. It comes after WWE announced an event in Australia in 2024.
Oops nevermind. I just got released…
— Tenille Dashwood (@EmmaWWE) September 21, 2023
I am no longer with WWE. https://t.co/ZdwPhdKMk7
The Aussie joined WWE in 2011 and competed on the NXT brand, with her initial gimmick being a clumsy dancer. She was released in 2017 and fought all over the independent scene, from Ring of Honor to Impact Wrestling (winning the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Titles). Emma returned to WWE in 2022 before her recent release.
Aliyah
Release: September 21
Aliyah, aka Nhooph Al-Areebi, holds the record for the fastest victory in WWE history at 3.17 seconds. The 28-year-old is a former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion and has been with WWE since 2015.
Top Dolla
Release: September 21
A member of Hit Row, it is also the second time Top Dolla has been released. A. J. Francis was an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2013 and had 20 total tackles. He signed with WWE in 2020 and was released in 2021 along with the rest of his group. In 2022, Hit Row returned to WWE before being released again.
Madcap Moss
- Release: September 21
Michael Rillis is a former college football plater who joined WWE in 2014. Formerly known as Riddick Moss, Madcap made his main roster debut on 2020, and won the 24/7 Title with WWE. After a year away from the ring, he returned in 2021 and feuded with Baron Corbin. Before getting released, he teamed with real-life partner Emma and won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Well I did it - I graduated from WWE.
— Mike Rallis (@RiddickMoss) September 21, 2023
I know a lot of people think my career really took a downturn once Mr. Levesque took over, but, in actuality, my per match fee skyrocketed through the roof.
Other promoters, get ready to back the brinks truck up.
Rick Boogs
Release: September 21
Eric Bugenhagen is a former NCAA Championships qualifier who joined WWE in 2017. Going through many name changes, he became Rick Boogs, playing the guitar and working out on WWE TV. On the main roster, he tore his quadriceps/patellar tendon, and returned after nine months in January 2023. Boogs was a two-time 24/7 Champion.
Mace and Mansoor
- Release: September 21
The duo of Mace and Mansoor, members of Maximum Male Models, were released a few hours after the initial release list.
Mansoor was the first Saudi-born wrestler to compete in WWE. He got scouted by WWE during a tryout in 2018. A consistent participant when WWE headed to Saudi Arabia, Mansoor joined the main roster in 2021, teaming and feuding with Mustafa Ali. In 2022, Mansoor and Mace joined LA Knight's stable, Maximum Male Models, and have been together since.
My time at WWE has come to an end, but my career is just beginning. Thank you all! Excited to get back to work.
— Mansoor (@suavemansoor) September 21, 2023
Please contact [email protected] for all booking inquiries starting Dec 20. pic.twitter.com/8buaGSaR3S
Mace, aka Brennan Williams, a 2013 NFL Draft pick by the Houston Texans. Joining WWE in 2016, he started as a member of the WWE commentary team. In 2020, Williams joined Retribution and was named Mace. He held onto that gimmick until joining Maximum Male Models.
After almost 10 years of making something out of nothing I’m excited to spread my wings and be myself for the first time. Let’s take this anime reference to the next level.
— brennan / jibo (@GREATBLACKOTAKU) September 21, 2023
STEP INTO THE GRAND TOUR.
Please support us on twitch tonight at 830! https://t.co/79HsO5rSVA pic.twitter.com/J9Fhd6FJWg
Shanky
- Release: September 21
Gurvinder Malhotra, aka Shanky, joined The Great Khali's Continental Wrestling Entertainment and is a two-time CWE Heavyweight Champion. He signed with WWE in 2020 and appeared at the 2021 Superstar Spectacle event. Shanky teamed with Jinder Mahal and Veer as a heel group before working on a dancing gimmick. He recently returned to action for the first time in 14 months, facing Gunther for the Intercontinental Title in India.
Dabba-Kato
- Release: September 21
Before joining WWE, Babatunde Aiyegbusi played in the Polish American Football League. Signed by the Minnesota Vikings, he later got released in 2015. Making his Raw debut in a Raw Underground segment in 2020 as Dabba-Kato, he officially made his mark in 2021, teaming with Apollo Crews. Re-introduced as Commander Azeez, he spent time between the main roster and NXT.
Using the Dabba-Kato name again in 2023, the 35-year-old competed in several bouts in NXT before getting released.
Dana Brooke
- Release: September 21
An Arnold Classic bodybuilding and fitness competitor Ashley Sebera joined WWE in 2013 and was named Dana Brooke. A mainstay on NXT, she joined WWE's main roster in 2016. A part of several high profile matches and comedic backstage vignettes, Brooke is a 15-time WWE 24/7 Champion.
Quincy Elliott
- Release: September 21
Known as Congo Crush on the independent scene, Quincy Elliott joined WWE in 2022 and has only appeared on NXT Level Up and NXT.
Yuliya Leon
Release: September 21
Jennifer Iglesias is a second-generation wrestler, with her father wrestling as "Bronco." In 2021, she signed a contract with WWE, and the Mexican-born wrestler was eventually named Yulisa Leon. Competing on 205 Live and NXT, Leon tore her ACL in 2022. She returned to the ring in May 2023 and initially requested her release from the company not long ago.
Ikeman Jiro
- Release: September 21
Ikeman Jiro, aka Sojiro Higuchi, is a former Gaora TV and UWA World Trios Champion. He signed with WWE in 2020 and mainly competed on the NXT brand.
Bryson Montana
- Release: September 21
A member of the United States Navy, Jacoby Brooks, aka Bryson Montana signed with WWE in 2021. He mainly appeared on NXT Level Up and had a few matches in NXT.
Thanks to everyone who supported me on this journey 🤟🏾 pic.twitter.com/7fymX1DCUr
— Jacoby (@Cobynotbean) September 21, 2023
Brooklyn Barlow
- Release: September 21
Brooklyn Barlow joined WWE following a tryout in 2021. She appeared on NXT Level Up and NXT.
Matt Riddle
- Release: September 23
Right before SmackDown, Matt Riddle announced he was no longer with WWE.
Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon 🤙 pic.twitter.com/fpuQkIJAFx
— matthew riddle (@SuperKingofBros) September 22, 2023
A former MMA fighter with an 8-3 (2 NC) record, Riddle is a former Evolve Champion, PWG Tag Team Champion, and Progress Atlas Champion. He joined WWE in 2018 and competed on the NXT brand before joining the main roster. Known for teaming with Randy Orton, Middle is a former RAW Tag Team and United States Champion.
Riddle was recently in the news after he publicly accused airport police of sexually assaulting him, which reached the mainstream. He was suspended for failing a drug test to open 2023.