The first major layoffs of WWE superstars since the new merger with UFC into TKO Group Holdings are taking place Thursday, and they include former champions and longtime talent with the company.
The cuts come less than a week after WWE began to lay off Stamford-based employees, as reports claimed there could be upwards of 100 positions eliminated by the merger. As a result, several high-profile employees were let go Friday.
Here are the list of stars let go by WWE Thursday, ranging from those on the main roster and on NXT. This list will be updated as news becomes available:
Dolph Ziggler
One of the longest tenured stars with WWE, Dolph Ziggler was released by the company, Fightful reported.
Joining in 2004 as part of the Spirit Squad, Ziggler spent nearly 20 years in WWE, winning several titles and being part of popular feuds. His biggest moment arguably came in 2013 when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract against Alberto Del Rio to become World Heavyweight Champion. "The Showstealer" was a two-time World Heavyweight Champion and is one of 33 Men's Triple Crown winners. He recently was NXT Champion.
Fellow WWE stars paid Ziggler respect following the news, such as former tag partner Big E and John Cena.
Shelton Benjamin
Longtime star Shelton Benjamin announced on social media he was let go off his contract.
"I thank @wwe staff , talent, and of course the fans for everything," he posted. "Something ends, something new begins. Looking forward to my next chapter."
A star of the 2000s as a WWE Tag Team, United States and Intercontinental Champion, Benjamin returned to WWE in 2017 and was primarily a tag team specialist. He recently was part of the The Hurt Business with Cedric Alexander.
Mustafa Ali
Mustafa Ali posted on social media he was no longer with WWE, adding "I look forward to the future."
Ali had been with the company since debuting in the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, and eventually took on Cedric Alexander at WrestleMania 34 for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
He later had stints on "Raw," "Smackdown", "205 Live" and NXT. Ali was recently scheduled to face Dominik Mysterio for the NXT North American Championship at NXT No Mercy on Sept. 30.
Elias
Elias announced he was released from WWE, saying "it’s been a blast."
Elias joined NXT in 2014 and was promoted to "Raw" in 2017. His singer persona was always met with star interruptions, including a moment with John Cena at WrestleMania 35 and The Undertaker the following night.
In 2022, he infamously portrayed his "brother" Ezekiel, driving Kevin Owens crazy in a storyline that fans applauded for its comedy. He returned to his Elias character in October 2022 and was last seen in May.
Emma, Riddick Moss
Emma announced she was let go of the company the same day WWE announced it would be hosting Elimination Chamber in her home country of Australia.
After saying it was a "dream," Emma posted, "Oops nevermind. I just got released… I am no longer with WWE."
Emma was an NXT star and was released in 2017, but returned to the company in October 2022, challenging Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Championship, last appearing in July.
Emma's fiancé Riddick Moss was also part of the cuts, announcing he "graduated from WWE." He started with the company in 2014, and was notably in a feud with Baron Corbin in 2022.
Aliyah
Aliyah announced she was no longer with WWE after debuting with the company in 2015.
Aliyah spent more than five years in NXT before she appeared on "Smackdown" in 2021. She and Raquel Rodriguez won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in 2022 before losing it to Damage CTRL two weeks later, the last time she appeared for the company.
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