The WWE Releases of 2023

The backstage news of former WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out during the May 16th, 2022, episode of Raw hit the web and had everyone in shock and awe at what took place. Both women reportedly relinquished the titles and walked away from WWE due to creative differences with Vince McMahon. WWE's official statement regarding their walkout noted that they both "walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis' office with their suitcases in hand, placed their tag team championship belts on his desk, and walked out."

Due to their actions, both Sasha and Naomi were suspended from WWE soon after. It was later reported that negotiations over compensation for Sasha had fallen through during the summer of 2022 and that she was completely done with the company. Then on January 1, 2023, Sasha Banks made her much-anticipated debut under the new moniker of "Mercedes Moné" as a member of the New Japan Pro Wrestling women's roster at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. When it comes to the WWE releases of 2023, Sasha's exit from the company is the most mindblowing.

As we mentioned beforehand, Naomi walked out with Sasha Banks in 2023 over creative differences regarding the booking of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. After months and months of speculation back in 2022, Naomi finally dropped the news of her official WWE release in 2023 when she basically responded to a fan on an Instagram post to let them know she was no longer with the company.

Sarray, who mainly competed under WWE's developmental banner NXT while she was with the company, took her permanent leave of absence due to creative frustrations over the direction of her character. It was announced that she is set to make her return to her homeland of Japan in May of 2023.

To the surprise of many, it was announced that Goldberg's WWE contract had expired on March 20 and was not renewed by the company. The last time fans witnessed Goldberg competing in a WWE ring was at the 2022 Elimination Chamber premium live event when he lost a Universal Championship match to Roman Reigns.

In one of the biggest shockers of the year, fans were treated to the AEW debut of Roderick Strong on the April 26th episode of AEW Dynamite. What made his appearance such a surprise was the fact that his WWE release hadn't been announced by the company or even alluded to beforehand by the usual online wrestling dirtsheets.

It was reported that Eric Young, whose biggest claim to fame during his first stint in WWE is his time spent with the Sanity stable, re-signed with the company back in November 2022. After months and months of not appearing on any sort of WWE TV, it was also reported that Young requested his release in November 2023 and was quietly granted it. News of his release went public on the very same night he returned to Impact Slammiversary 2023, which saw Young join forces with his former Team Canada mate Scott D’Amore to defeat Bully Ray and Deaner.

During Alica Fox's last WWE stint, she made several on-air appearances as she popped up on the January 4, 2021, episode of Raw Legends Night. Plus she competed in the 2021 Royal Rumble and the 2022 Royal Rumble. News of her release came in the middle of this year as it was made public on May 1, 2023. This release marks the end of Fox's 17-year tenure with the company.

Former NXT UK competitor Aleah James announced her WWE departure via Twitter.

The night before Lacey Evans was released by WWE, she hopped on her Instagram page to make it clear that she would no longer be with the company by stating - "When the clock strikes 12, you will address me as Macey Estrella from here on out."

Mustafa Ali was last seen wrestling at the NXT The Great American Bash event in a Triple Threat Match for the NXT North American Championship against Wes Lee and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio. What's really troubling about this release is the fact that Ali was let go by the company just nine days before he was scheduled to face Dominik for the NXT North American Championship at the NXT No Mercy event.

Emma actually got her first WWE release back in 2017. Then in 2022, she made her way back to the company as a member of the SmackDown roster. She was last seen teaming up with Nikki Cross on the July 3, 2023, episode of Raw.

Rick Boogs was last seen competing against The Miz on the January 30, 2023, episode of Raw.

Aaliyah was last seen losing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with her partner Raquel Rodriguez to Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky.

Hit Row's Top Dolla was last seen competing alongside Ashante "Thee" Adonis against The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.

Elias was last seen competing on the October 17, 2022, episode of Raw.

Riddick Moss was last seen competing against Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Now this one came as a shocker! Dolph Ziggler, who has been with WWE since 2004, has plenty of noteworthy championship accolades and incredible in-ring performances associated with his legacy. Ziggler was last seen entering a feud with another released WWE superstar on this list, Mustafa Ali. This one truly left fans' jaws on the floor when it comes to the WWE releases of 2023.

What we have here is yet another released WWE veteran talent. Shelton Benjamin first came into the company back in 2000. He was first released in 2010, then was brought back into the fold in 2017. Shelton was last seen teaming up with his former Hurt Business stablemate Cedric Alexander. This is another case of a longtime WWE fan favorite no longer being associated with the company due to the WWE releases of 2023 announcements.

Dana Brooke is another longtime talent that has to be considered quite a shock when you consider the full gamut of WWE releases of 2023. She's worked with the company since 2013 and has had some decent stints on NXT and the main roster. She was last seen competing on the June 6, 2023, episode of NXT during a number one contender battle royal for the NXT Women's Championship.

Mansoor first joined WWE back in 2018. His most recent work with the company saw him change his name to "mån.sôör" and enter a tag team with Mace (who also flipped his name to the infinitely more stylish "ma.çé") called Maximum Male Models.

Mace (pictured on the left) made his way into WWE back in 2016. As we mentioned beforehand, Mace and Mansoor competed on the main roster as the Maximum Male Models.

Next up on this list of the WWE releases of 2023 is Quincy Elliot (pictured here with Shotzi), who mainly wrestled on NXT.

Bryson Montana, seen here landing a backbreaker on NXT talent Ru Feng, mainly competed on WWE's developmental brand.

Dabba-Kato first joined WWE back in 2016. He enjoyed a decent stint in NXT and competed on the main roster (he's most known for his time spent on Raw Underground).

Shanky joined WWE back in 2020. He was last spotted wrestling on the 2023 Superstar Spectacle show against Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Yulisa Leon became a member of the WWE roster back in 2021. She was last seen in a tag team match on the May 19, 2023, episode of SmackDown. She fought alongside Valentina Feroz in a losing effort for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship against Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.

Ikeman Jiro was best known for his time in NXT as a tag team partner of Kushida. The name of their former union was Jacket Time.

When we look back on the WWE releases of 2023, this one will always leave our jaws on the floor. Matt Riddle and Randy Orton's RK-Bro team was the most recent example of Riddle being super over with the audience and prominently featured on Raw. Prior to that entertaining duo's run, Riddle made his name as an MMA-focused singles star who delivered impressive performances down in NXT and across the main roster. The last time Riddle was seen on WWE TV, he teamed up with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn to contend with The Judgment Day's Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, & Dominik Mysterio on the April 17, 2023, episode of Raw.