WWE Stars Flame Dwindles: Top Three Released After UFC Merger

WWE + UFC – Superstars

Big names in the WWE were released on September 21 after merging with UFC. According to Pro Wrestling Insider, over 100 employees were fired. Some of the superstars’ names caught a lot of fans by surprise because of their long tenure at the company. Even worse, most of these superstars found success but haven’t found any usage beyond the lower mid-card these past months. Here are three notable stars on the list, who should’ve gotten a second chance.

#3 Shelton Benjamin

Benjamin started his wrestling career before being in the WWE. It began at the University of Minnesota, where he acquired a 36-6 win-loss record. This led him to the company in 2000 to join Kurt Angle and Charlie Hass as Team Angle in 2002. WWE then released Shelton in 2010 but resigned him in 2017 where he became part of a new faction.

The Hurt business, consisting of him, Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Cedric Alexander, stayed together until 2022 when the team dissolved. Benjamin struggled to get TV time of any sort, leading to his release.

In his time in WWE, he won three tag-team championships apart of both factions. During his solo run, he won an international title three times and a United States title once.

There is nowhere about Shelton’s next move, but the hope is that companies like Ring of Honor or AEW could give him another run in the wrestling business

#2 Matt Riddle

Riddle is by far one of the most surprising talents let go from the WWE. He’d only been in the WWE for five years but put his name out there during this time. His character came off as a laid back cool guy outside the ring, but a force of nature inside. Mixing his wrestling prowess with his time in the UFC, Riddle was a one-of-a-kind star. Not only did he put on great matches with Adam Cole, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns, but also won three tag titles and the United States championship.

But the release went in the superstar’s favor. After announcing the news on his social media, one of his old friends made him an offer. Curt Stallion, once a part of WWE’s 205 Live, wanted to team up with him again under a new promotion called Pro Wrestling NOAH. When Riddle heard about this he accepted this offer, which meant the star would be in the squared circle once more.

#1 Dolph Ziggler

Of the last two superstars named, Ziggler has the most success in his 19 years in the WWE. In his career, he won the Tag Team Championship four times, once with the Spirit Squad, once with Drew McIntyre, and twice with Robert Roode. He is a Two-time United States champion and six-time Intercontinental champion, placing him third in the most reigns of any superstar. finally, he held two world heavyweight titles, one won via money in the bank contract, and one NXT championship too.

He also had his fair or good rivalries and matches with the likes of John Cena, Edge, and Matt Cardona. But his most interesting was with fellow superstar, The Miz, where they fought for the Intercontinental titles on multiple occasions.

Despite Ziggler’s clear talent in the ring and on the mic, he was underutilized after his title NXT title run. Dolph is now a free agent, so companies like AEW and Ring of Honor are looking to land him. His brother, Ryan Nemeth, works for AEW so it’s safe to say he will be back in the ring no time soon.

Written By Daylontie Jasper