Following WrestleMania 41, WWE enacted a series of high-profile roster cuts, parting ways with several prominent talents as the company looks to streamline its lineup. The WWE superstars released after WrestleMania 41 include major names like Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, and Dakota Kai, sending shockwaves through fans and the pro wrestling community.
WWE’s Drive to Streamline Its Roster After WrestleMania 41
WWE has recently focused on retaining only those wrestlers who consistently contribute to major storylines, resulting in the departure of talents unable to secure ongoing spots in the company’s creative direction. The organization manages a roster filled with industry heavyweights, and keeping an overpopulated lineup was deemed unsustainable following this year’s premier event.
During 2025, the company initiated two rounds of talent releases—one after the Royal Rumble and a significant wave post-WrestleMania. The aftermath of the “Grandest Stage of Them All” brought particular attention to the complete list of names let go during May and June, causing intense and mixed reactions among fans as established and emerging stars alike found themselves without contracts.
Promising Superstars and Fan Favorites Exit WWE
Dani Palmer is among those who made a strong impression with her aerial skills after debuting on TV in 2023. However, despite her high-flying performances in level-up matches and some appearances on NXT, Palmer never received a major push and verified her release through social media in May 2025.
Gallus, a trio known for their powerful in-ring presence and contribution to training The Rock for his WrestleMania XL return, could not firmly establish themselves in NXT and were released together in May. Their exit left their future direction uncertain, disappointing many loyal supporters.
Javier Bernal, labeled a promising yet underutilized talent, rarely appeared on television, struggling to gain crowd support or make a significant mark within WWE. He also took to social media to announce his release during the post-Mania developmental cuts in May.
Notable NXT Talents Among the Departures
Ora Mensah was a standout in NXT and previously NXT UK, earning respect for his consistency and in-ring skills. He faded from television in early 2024 and was part of the May 2025 post-Mania cuts, signaling the end of his time with the company.
NXT upstart Riley Osborne, who debuted in late 2023, showed promise by sharing the ring with talents like Oba Femi and Lexis King. Despite acclaim for his abilities, his momentum waned, and after a slowdown in appearances by mid-2025, he was officially released in May.
Meta-Four’s Jakara Jackson, once a breakout personality among online fans, struggled to sustain her early attention. She followed her stablemates out the door during the wave of releases after WrestleMania 41 in May.
Eddey Thorpe, bringing experience from NJPW, made an early splash upon his 2023 WWE debut, headlining matches against the likes of Dijak and Tyler Bate. Unfortunately, injuries plagued his run, halting his momentum, and he quietly exited in May 2025.
Main Roster and Women’s Division Shake-Ups
Former Toxic Attraction member Gigi Dolin saw some singles success after her group with Jacy Jayne and Mandy Rose dissolved. Despite feuds in 2024, her push waned by 2025. Dolin’s three-year term ended with her release in June 2025.
Cora Jade, once viewed as the cornerstone of NXT’s women’s division, had been featured in key rivalries—including challenges for the NXT Women’s Championship and a brief main roster appearance. A character shift in 2023 and subsequent injuries sidelined her, and in June 2025, fans were shocked by her exit given her once-rising status.
Tag team duo Katana Chance and Kayden Carter claimed both NXT and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships following their main roster integration in early 2023. Despite their energetic matches on RAW and SmackDown, they were not given sustained opportunities, culminating in their surprising release in June 2025.
Valhalla, previously known as Sarah Logan, rejoined WWE as the manager of The War Raiders in 2022. Injuries and limited creative involvement led to extended absences from TV. As her contract neared expiration, WWE chose not to renew, confirming her departure this year.
High-Profile Releases Stun WWE Universe
Shayna Baszler, a former NXT Women’s Champion and two-time Women’s Tag Champion, was once projected as a dominant future superstar. Her success faded after a partnership with Zoey Stark left her sidelined. In early June 2025, Baszler was quietly released, ending a six-year WWE career and stunning her supporters.
Returning in 2022 as part of Bayley’s Damage CTRL, Dakota Kai twice won the Women’s Tag Titles with IYO SKY. After recovering from injury and failing to find a place in ongoing storylines, Kai’s time ended in early June 2025. She will be remembered for her resilience and adaptability within various factions and title runs.
Braun Strowman’s release captured attention as arguably the most surprising of this post-WrestleMania wave. As a former Universal Champion and headline act, Strowman had returned to WWE in 2022, but a combination of injuries and inconsistent presentation led to long absences. His release in June 2025 marked his second departure following a previous exit in 2021.
Carlito rejoined WWE in late 2023, making waves with his involvement in LWO and the Judgment Day. As the faction’s prominence diminished in 2025, so did Carlito’s role, and he recently announced WWE would not re-sign him, shockingly ending his tenure.
Longtime fan favorite R-Truth, who had competed with John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, confirmed his release in 2025. With a legendary WWE run, his departure is seen as one of the most heartbreaking among this year’s roster changes.
The Impact and Future After WWE’s Major Roster Moves
This succession of notable exits has left fans and the wrestling industry both surprised and divided, reflecting the intense emotions running high after WrestleMania 41. With WWE letting go of established stars, crowd favorites, and emerging prospects alike, there is widespread debate over how these moves will shape future storylines, shifts in the women’s and tag divisions, and the opportunities opened for remaining or incoming talent.
Prominent names such as Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Braun Strowman, Valhalla, Cora Jade, and the trio Gallus join a growing list of well-known superstars whose absence will leave a palpable void. Whether these releases signal a fresh creative vision or simply a reaction to shifting industry dynamics remains to be seen. Fans now await to see where these former WWE superstars released after WrestleMania 41 will continue their careers and how WWE’s evolving landscape will be affected in the coming months.
