Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, and several others RELEASED amid WWE’s ‘BOOMING’ period

WWE released former champions and young stars in yet another annual budget cut, sparking controversy all over the social media.

Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, and several others RELEASED amid WWE’s ‘BOOMING’ period

Braun Strowman and Dakota Kai released from WWE (via WWE)

WWE has once again initiated its annual budget cuts, despite being in one of its most successful eras. The move has sparked criticism from fans who find it ironic given the company’s current momentum. Among the released talents are former Universal Champion Braun Strowman and Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai. Their departures have left many questioning WWE’s long-term creative and roster strategies

According to Fightful Select, WWE has released several talents from both the main roster and NXT. In addition to Strowman and Kai, main roster names like Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, and Shayna Baszler were also let go. From NXT, rising stars such as Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, and Jakara Jackson were among those released.

The decision has raised eyebrows, given the talent and potential many of these names possessed. At this point, it appears WWE is making unnecessary and questionable releases. Notably, stars like Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, and Gigi Dolin had been released before, only to be brought back. This raises the question—what was the point of rehiring them if the plan was to let them go again?

Moreover, it’s likely that some of these released talents could join AEW in the near future, following the path of several former WWE stars. Notably, names like Cora Jade have already made an impact in promotions like TNA. As a result, they may secure promising deals with other companies for the next few years.

Dakota Kai reacts to her release from WWE

Dakota Kai‘s release was heartbreaking, especially since she had recently expressed her desire to continue wrestling in WWE. The talented star shared that all she wanted was an opportunity to shine and some consistent TV time. Unfortunately, WWE never took meaningful steps to support her, ultimately leading to her release. Following the news, Kai reacted on social media, expressing her emotions to fans.

Dakota Kai
Dakota Kai (via WWE)

Taking to X, the former Women’s Tag Team Champion shared the iconic GTA San Andreas meme where CJ said his iconic lines. The post subtly captured her frustration, but also her resilience. Despite the disappointment, the message suggested that Kai was ready to start over and put in the hard work once again to prove her worth in the world of professional wrestling.

Moreover, Kai once broke down in tears on her Twitch stream, admitting she had no idea where her career was heading. Her time with Damage CTRL was marred by frequent injuries, which reportedly led to WWE losing confidence in her for major storylines. This ultimately became a key factor in her release from the company. Now, all eyes are on what lies ahead for the 36-year-old star.

Cora Jade posted a series of cryptic posts following her WWE release

Cora Jade was widely expected to make her main roster debut this year, having built strong momentum as a heel in both TNA and NXT. However, her sudden release has left fans puzzled about WWE’s decision-making. In the aftermath, Jade took to social media and posted a series of cryptic tweets, sparking further speculation about her future.

Cora Jade
Cora Jade (via WWE)

Taking to X, the 24-year-old thanked WWE for allowing her to live out her childhood dreams. However, she hinted that there’s a deeper story behind her release that will come to light in the weeks ahead. She later reposted an older tweet, suggesting that the truth may be uncomfortable for many. Additionally, Jade shared her email ID, signaling her openness to new opportunities in the wrestling world.

Furthermore, Jade had strong fan appeal both as a babyface and later as a heel. Many fans were eager to see her eventually join Monday Night Raw, possibly alongside her best friend Roxanne Perez. However, for now, that dream has been put on hold.

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