WWE Fans Unload After Mass Release of 23 Top Stars, Including Kairi Sane, Aleister Black

The WWE's mass release of 23 top wrestling stars isn't sitting well with many fans. They unloaded on social media.

Some fans even used expletives as they expressed their anger, with some singling out their top stars. Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane and the Wyatt Sicks are among the stars released after WrestleMania 42. Vega took to Twitch to confirm the news. According to CBS Sports, Black and Vega's releases "are the most surprising. The married couple was a regular presence on SmackDown."

"Man, why did WWE release good people. They do nothing wrong; that is your fault WWE. You not booking them right. Come on, WWE, think about what you've done," an irate fan wrote on X on April 25 as word spread. "If I wasn't watching already, definitely not anymore. Getting rid of talent that are so entertaining to watch, TKO are so out of touch with the brand. Unbelievable," another fan wrote.

Fans Were Particularly Angry About the WWE's Release of Kairi Sane During the Middle of a Storyline

Some fans focused on their favorites. One fan angrily asked why they released Kairi Sane. "I thought they were gonna do a big face turn on her like why release her?" he asked on X.

Another fan had similar feelings, writing, "Kairi Sane released in the middle of a storyline with Asuka and Iyo, without a proper blowoff, having been prominently featured on TV for months while ALSO being one of the best workers in the world, is BAFFLING."

However, other fans had mixed feelings. "This isn't anything surprising as it happens every year," wrote one. "Like any other business some times cut backs are necessary. What sucks is that there are some decent wrestlers on this list that never had great booking with a decent story. Or maybe they didn't have the drive."

"This is an apocalypse!!!" wrote another fan. "Unbelievable," another commented.

According to USA Today, WWE does typically do a mass release every year, although sometimes the releases occur in February.

Which Stars Are Being Released by WWE?

USA Today reported that, as of April 24, the following stars were being released.

• Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy)
• Nikki Cross
• Joe Gacy
• Erick Rowan
• Dexter Lumis
• Kairi Sane
• Motor City Machine Guns
• Aleister Black
• Zelina Vega
• Santos Escobar
• Zoey Stark
• Alba Fyre
• Apollo Crews
• Andre Chase
• Dante Chen
• Tyra Mae Steele
• Chris Island
• Tyriek Igwe
• Trill London
• Sirena Linton
• Luca Crusifino
• Malik Blade
• Tyson Dupon

Nikki Cross Wrote That She Was 'Really Excited for Whatever My Next Chapter Will Hold'

Goodbye and Thank you WWE



I'm really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold.



Thank you all for the continued love and support.



Special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.



Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers…

— Nikki Cross (@WWENikkiCross) April 24, 2026

Some of the released stars took the high road in social media posts.

"Goodbye and thank you, WWE," Cross wrote on social media. "I'm really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold. Thank you all for the continued love and support. A special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true. Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers, and all the backstage crew who make all this possible.

Cross concluded the post, "To the amazing girls in the lockerroom."

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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 12:24 PM.