WWE Releases More Superstars, Including Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, and Nia Jax

WWE has released even more superstars.

Another round of releases has struck the multi-billion dollar World Wrestling Entertainment during one of their most profitable times. WWE has released talent from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and acts that have yet to be on television. Here is the most up-to-date list of releases, per Fightful Wrestling:

• Karrion Kross
• Scarlett Bordeaux
• Keith Lee
• Nia Jax
• Ember Moon
• Franky Monet
• Gran Metalik
• Lince Dorado
• Oney Lorcan
• Eva Marie
• Mia Yim
• B-Fab
• Jeet Rama
• Jessi Kamea
• Zayda Ramier
• Trey Baxter
• Katrina Cortez
• Harry Smith

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, a bloated budget is to blame.

Budget cuts were cited as a reason for the releases in an email from John Laurinaitis

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) November 4, 2021

WWE released some very promising stars in this round of cuts. Keith Lee was just relaunched as Bearcat Lee on Raw. He’s someone many fans saw as a potential future world champion. Instead, he and his real-life partner Mia Yim were both released.

Speaking of future world champs & real-life couples, Kross & Boudreaux’s releases are also a surprise. Kross was a former NXT Champion like Lee and was primed for a big spot on Raw with a repackaged gimmick. The pair were a great act in NXT, but Boudreaux never joined Kross on the main roster.

Also, WWE releasing both members of a couple on the same day is pretty gross. Going from a two-income household to a no-income household in a matter of minutes is brutal. All of this of course happened on the same day when WWE reported “better than expected” profits in the 3Q of 2021 with over $250 million.

WWE Reports $255.8 Million Revenue For Third Quarter 2021, Full Financial Results https://t.co/OqTilnmR9g

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) November 4, 2021

Nia Jax is another surprise. While she did develop a reputation for her lack of safety in the ring, Jax was a former Women’s Champion and a pillar of the women’s division for years. She will definitely find work again soon. She’s part of a crop of talented women released, including the recently-called-up B-Fab and criminally underrated Ember Moon.

All the best to these released performers who will continue to hone their craft in other promotions and in a thriving independent scene. Companies who pick them up will be lucky to have them.