WWE roster cuts can seemingly come out of nowhere and can seemingly include anyone on the roster. Usually on an annual basis (and sometimes more) WWE will go on a cutting spree. In the last several years WWE hasn't been afraid to release main event level talent like Samoa Joe and Bray Wyatt.
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They have even released performers that the company put years into building such as Mandy Rose and Cesaro. Many released WWE superstars end up making an impact in other companies. WWE released Toni Storm, who has now become a 2 time AEW Women's Champion. Yet, WWE continues to let talent walk away, and in a lot of cases the releases give a talent a chance to succeed outside of WWE.
10 Natalya - AEW
WWE would name Natalya number 20 on the list of the top 50 WWE Female Superstars of All Time in 2021. WWE hasn't given Natalya much of a storyline in recent years. She is a former Divas Champion, Smackdown Women's Champion and a Women's Tag Team Champion. Yet, a release could open up a whole new career for Natalya. Think of the Hart family legacy she would bring to All Elite Wrestling and to the Owen Hart Cup. That would be a such a deserving honor for Nattie Niedhart.
9 Shelton Benjamin - Ring Of Honor
Shelton Benjamin is wasting away on the WWE roster. Benjamin will soon turn 48 years old, and his best days are most likely behind him. Yet, the right company could get some extra mileage out of the former 3 time WWE Intercontinental Champion. Benjamin was active in Ring of Honor from 2010 until 2013, and ROH owner Tony Khan could use a stud like Benjamin in today's ROH. Benjamin deserves a late career run as a Heavyweight champion and Ring of Honor could give him that. One more run as the Gold Standard.
8 Riddick Moss - MLW
WWE has started and stopped so many times with Madcap that it's a joke anytime he's on WWE television. Yet, Moss has a great look and is an explosive athlete. Moss needs some experience as a top level talent, and he is only going to get that in a smaller promotion right now. If Major League Wrestling could sign Riddick Moss and let him be the head of their table, Moss could become a valuable player for years to come in pro wrestling and possibly eventually in WWE again.
7 Shinsuke Nakamura - NJPW
Shinsuke Nakamura is currently being highlighted in the midcard division of WWE Raw. While fans love to see the King of Strong Style perform, he deserves such a higher level of competition and respect in WWE. The 3 time IWGP Heavyweight Champion would move into the main event back home in New Japan. With the popularity of Japanese wrestling and with AEW's Forbidden Door push, Nakamura could be at the top of professional wrestling in Japan and the United States.
6 Elias - AEW
Elias once again finds himself off of WWE television. The multi talented star can't get a consistent run in WWE. The inconsistency baffles fans as Elias has a great look, connection with the fans and willingness to play any part he is asked. After nearly a decade in WWE/NXT, Elias has four 24/7 titles to add to his resume. That's it! If AEW is truly going to develop a brand split with Collision, Elias could find a long term home on Saturday nights. Let AEW walk with Elias.
5 Dana Brooke - OVW
Dana Brooke is a 15 time 24/7 title holder over the first decade of her professional wrestling career in WWE. Yet, Brooke is never going to level up into the top of the WWE women's division. Brooke has a great look and athleticism, but her time to connect in WWE has come and gone. Brooke would make a great mentor to up and coming talent in the Ohio Valley Wrestling scene and would be a draw for the small promotion. Brooke could be OVW's gatekeeper and have a great run in Louisville.
4 Karrion Kross And Scarlett - Impact Wrestling
Karrion Kross and Scarlett looked like a future WrestleMania main event duo during their NXT run. Yet, WWE has dropped the ball with their main roster runs. Kross and Scarlett have an amazing presentation, and their charisma jumps off the television screens.
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Yet, WWE has done nothing with them. The duo had their first true success in wrestling during their run with Impact Wrestling and a return there could boost their careers. WWE should give them a chance by giving them their releases.
3 Lacey Evans - AEW
It seemed like Lacey Evans would surely be a future WWE Women's Champion when she debuted on the main roster in 2019. Her look and athleticism popped in the ring. Plus her character work as the Sassy Southern Belle was gold. On top of that, Evans was a real life Marine and WWE has yet to capitalize on her potential.
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A release would allow her to reach the heights of AEW's women's division. Evans would make a great opponent as a heel to Kris Statlander and the TBS Title, or as a face against Toni Storm for the Women's Championship.
2 Matt Riddle - UFC
Matt Riddle is a hugely over act in WWE, yet due to personal issues the company has never fully committed to the Original Bro. Riddle is athletic and has true combat fighting skills on his resume. Yet, WWE doesn't seem to take his character seriously. With Endeavor purchasing WWE, and combining WWE with UFC, Riddle could be a crossover star. If Riddle could pick up a couple legitimate wins in the UFC, the 'Bro' could be taken seriously if he returned to WWE!
1 Drew McIntyre - AEW
Drew McIntyre carried WWE on his broad shoulders during the pandemic. He is a former 2 time WWE Champion and the 31st Triple Crown Champion in WWE history. He could easily rest on his laurels for the rest of his career and be a larger version of Dolph Ziggler or the Miz. Yet, McIntyre deserves better! Had WWE released McIntyre, he could sign with AEW and headline their upcoming Wembley Stadium show. McIntyre could grow his legend in AEW, and as we have seen before a release seems to only motivate Drew to make it back.
