WWE releases spark debate over cost-cutting, creative direction and roster size

In a move that has stunned fans and insiders alike, WWE recently released 18 Superstars, including high-profile names like Braun Strowman , Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, and rising NXT talent Cora Jade. The decision, coming just hours before last week’s episode of SmackDown, marks one of the most significant talent purges since the COVID-19 pandemic era.

While WWE no longer issues formal announcements regarding releases, reports indicate that these decisions were not made lightly. According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque holds full authority over personnel choices, and if he wanted talent retained, they would have stayed. However, insiders note that while Levesque decides who is released, the when is determined by WWE’s ownership under TKO Group Holdings, driven by profit margins and quarterly optics.

Triple H is the final say on any roster personnel decisions. Most non-injured wrestlers that are benched from the TV that he books are candidates to get cut whenever he’s told it’s time to shed roster salary.

The priority is that their books, and profit margins look good to…

— Ibou (@BackupHangman) May 3, 2025

Overcrowded roster and TV time limitationsAnalysts believe the latest wave of cuts stems from a combination of factors like creative stagnation, rising base salaries, and an overflowing roster amid limited television time. WWE’s weekly programming, spread across RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, simply cannot accommodate every contracted talent. With SmackDown potentially moving back to a two-hour format, the company is under pressure to streamline its roster.

"Most non-injured wrestlers benched from TV are automatically at risk when it’s time to cut salary,” explained Ibou from WrestlePurists, highlighting how business priorities are beginning to shape the creative landscape more than ever. “The focus is on shareholder satisfaction.”

The timing of these releases, shortly after WrestleMania - also fits a pattern. WWE has traditionally reset its talent strategy after its flagship event, deciding which stars to push and which to let go. For some performers, like Dakota Kai and Braun Strowman, this marks a second exit from the company, having been rehired previously after brief stints away.

Perhaps most concerning for fans is the release of younger names with perceived potential, like Cora Jade. The former NXT standout had only recently returned from injury and was gaining momentum through WWE’s partnership with TNA Wrestling. Her departure has reignited conversations about missed opportunities and creative underutilization.

While cost-cutting and business strategy appear to be at the forefront of these decisions, it remains to be seen if any of the released talents will be brought back into the fold - either through future re-signings or the flourishing independent scene. For now, fans are left grappling with a growing disconnect between WWE’s financial success and the fate of its performers.