WWE releases multiple Superstars (Updated)

Within hours of a press release announcing the cost saving measures the company would be taking due to the global COVID-19 crisis, WWE has released several Superstars.

UPDATE: WWE’s list appears to be a work in progress. Here are the latest names listed between “WWE has come to terms on the release of...” and “... We wish them all the best in their future endeavors” on their official statement:

• Kurt Angle
• Drake Maverick (James Curtin)
• Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers)
• Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra)
• Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson)
• Heath Slater (Heath Miller)
• Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz)
• Rowan (Joseph Ruud)
• Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe)
• Mike Chioda
• EC3 (Michael Hutter)
• Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt)
• Lio Rush (Lionel Green)
• Primo (Edwin Colon)
• Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves).
• Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett)
• Maria Kanellis
• Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona)
• No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela)
• Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev)

While none of the wrestlers released were currently featured in major programs, they’re all well-known names.

Hall of Famer Angle jumps out, although he hasn’t wrestled or had a storyline since WrestleMania 35. He’d reportedly been working as a producer, but we’re learning many people in that role were let go today, too.

Maverick is an unexpected name, as he’s proven to be able to make a variety of roles work - and was just added to the field of NXT’s Cruiserweight title tournament over the weekend.

Anderson & Gallows are also somewhat surprising inclusions, seeing as they re-signed not long ago, and were packaged with AJ Styles.

On behalf of the entire Cageside Seats community, we want to thank all these performers for the work they did in WWE to entertain us and give us all something to write & talk about. We look forward to seeing where they land and how they entertain us there when the business and our world is in better shape.