WWE Releases Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali, Emma, Rick Boogs, Riddick Moss, And More
WWE has began making post-merger talent cuts.
Mustafa Ali was the first talent to break the news, as he took to social media on September 21 to reveal that he is no longer working with the company. Ali started with WWE since 2016, where he made his debut in the Cruiserweight Classic tournament. Throughout his tenure with the company, Ali wrestled on Raw, SmackDown, 205 Live, and most recently, NXT.
Emma also took to social media to share the news of her release on September 21. After returning to WWE in the fall of 2022, Emma competed in a handful of singles matches on SmackDown, Main Event, and Raw. Emma last wrestled for the company on the July 10 episode of Raw, losing to Shayna Baszler.
Rick Boogs has also been let go from WWE. Boogs, real name Eric Bugenhagen, made his debut for the company in 2017 on the NXT brand. In 2021, Boogs moved to the SmackDown brand, where he was paired with Shinsuke Nakamura. Boogs last wrestled for WWE at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, where he competed in the Slim Jim Battle Royale.
Aliyah also revealed her release on social media. Aliyah signed with WWE in 2015 and spent nearly six years in NXT before being drafted to SmackDown in 2021. Aliyah last wrestled on the September 12, 2022 episode of WWE Raw, where she and Raquel Rodriguez lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to Damage CTRL (IYO SKY & Dakota Kai).
Elias was also released. Elias joined the NXT roster in 2014 before making the jump to the Monday Night Raw brand in 2017. During his time on the main roster, he would work with names such as Seth Rollins, Shane McMahon, Roman Reigns, John Cena, and more. In 2022, ELIAS portrayed his “brother” Ezekiel in a rivalry with Kevin Owens before it was cut short, and Elias returned as his traditional character. He was last seen in a Battle Royal on May 15, 2023’s Monday Night Raw.
AJ “Top Dolla” Francis‘ release was also confirmed by Fightful. Francis returned to WWE in 2022 after being released by the company in late 2021. He was paired with Ashante “Thee” Adonis and B-Fab on the SmackDown roster, turning heel midway through their run. He was last seen on TV, losing to LA Knight on August 11’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
Riddick Moss was also released by WWE. Moss joined WWE in 2014. He had only ever worked for WWE. He was called up to me and roster in 2019, winning the WWE 24/7 Title shortly thereafter. He would later be paired with Baron Corbin as Madcap Moss. He was last seen in the promotion on the September 11 episode of WWE Main Event, losing to Bronson Reed.
Shelton Benjamin was also released by WWE. During his most recent run, he was a tag team champion alongside Cedric Alexander as part of The Hurt Business. In the past, Shelton has been a former WWE Intercontinental Champion and a former United States Champion.
Dolph Ziggler has also been released, Fightful confirmed. In his career, Ziggler held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and was a multiple-time Intercontinental Champion and United States Champion. He had been portraying the Dolph Ziggler character since 2008 and was a member of the Spirit Squad before then.
Quincy Elliott confirmed their release on Instagram. Elliott signed with WWE in 2021 and had been part of NXT and NXT Level Up. They last wrestled on the July 21 episode of NXT Level Up.
Bryson Montana confirmed his release on Twitter. He last wrestled on the June 16 episode of NXT Level Up. He made his debut on NXT Level Up in May 2022.
Dana Brooke was also released on September 21. She had been a part of WWE since 2013 and was called up to the main roster in 2016. During her time in WWE, she held the WWE 24/7 15 times. She was recently on WWE NXT on September 12, losing to Lyra Valkyria.
Mace (ma.çé) was released as well. He had been a WWE Raw commentator as Dio Maddin and a member of RETRIBUTION. He commented on social media that he was looking forward to the future.
Mansoor (mån.sôör) has been released by WWE. He signed with the company in 2018. He last wrestled on the May 15 episode of WWE Raw, competing in the WWE Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Battle Royal.
Shanky (Dilsher Shanky) was released from his contract. He had spent time on the main roster alongside Jinder Mahal. He recently wrestled at WWE Superstar Spectacle against Gunther.
Dabba-Kato was released from his agreement as well. He had signed with WWE in 2016, competing in the WWE Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. He later became Dabba-Kato, helping Apollo Crews defeat Big E for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 37. He was also a part of the WWE Main Event movie on Netflix.
Yulisa Leon‘s contract was terminated as well, Fightful confirmed. She was growing as a tag team performer alongside Valentina Feroz on WWE NXT.
Daniel McArthur, who was a Performance Center recruit, confirmed he had been released. He was signed after the SummerSlam 2022 tryouts but never made his in-ring debut.
Kevin Ventura-Cortez has departed WWE. He announced his departure on Instagram. He was signed in 2022 and once competed against the Viking Raiders alongside Javier Bernal on an episode of Raw.
Alexis Gray confirmed that she is no longer with WWE. She was announced as part of the 2023 Performance Center Rookie Class. She never made her in-ring debut.
Brooklyn Barlow confirmed her time with WWE came to an end.
Ikeman Jiro, who competed in the 2022 NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic alongside KUSHIDA, was also released from the promotion. Although Jiro has not publicly commented on the situation, Fightful has confirmed the news.
Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald confirmed his release. He was part of the NIL tryouts.
Matt Riddle confirmed he is no longer with WWE. Riddle signed with WWE in 2018. He last competed on the September 4 episode of WWE Raw, teaming with Drew McIntyre. On September 10, he accused an officer at JFK airport of sexual harassment in an Instagram post that he deleted. An internal investigation was launched.
Fightful will continue to update this post as more news comes in regarding talent cuts in WWE.
