Discover WWE’s major roster purge in May 2025: see the full list of released superstars—from Braun Strowman and Shayna Baszler to top NXT talent—and learn how it reshapes upcoming events.
In a surprising Resettlement spring cleaning, WWE executed one of its largest roster purges of 2025, announcing the release of 16 talents between May 1 and May 3. The shake-up came just hours before Friday Night SmackDown, leaving fans and insiders stunned by the timing and scope of the cuts.
Main Roster WWE Releases
- Braun Strowman: The two-time Universal Champion and former Intercontinental titleholder saw his second WWE run end abruptly.
- Shayna Baszler: The dominant former NXT Women’s Champion and two-time Women’s Tag Team Champion was also let go.
- Dakota Kai: A key member of Damage CTRL, Kai’s departure marks the end of another notable title run.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance: This tag team, fresh off a Tag Team Championship reign, were both released.
NXT Releases
NXT talent bore the brunt of the cuts, with over 10 names departing:
- Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, Jakara Jackson, Riley Osborne
- Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang), Oro Mensah, Javier Bernal.
Event Highlights & Implications
The roster purge unfolded just before WWE’s SmackDown taping on May 2 and sets the stage for significant shake-ups heading into Backlash and the upcoming Money in the Bank build. With established names gone and NXT depth thinned, creative teams must pivot quickly to fill the void on both weekly shows and pay-per-view cards.
As WWE refocuses its talent pool, fans will be watching closely to see which superstars return after non-compete windows expire, and who steps up to claim new spotlight roles in the evolving landscape of Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.