WWE Release 12 Wrestlers Before Crown Jewel in Latest Round of Cuts
Twelve WWE wrestlers have been released from their contracts ahead of the Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia.
Crown Jewel kicks off at 1pm UK time Down Under, with John Cena facing off against AJ Styles in one of his final matches.
The timing of the event has co-incided with WWE announcing their latest round of releases.
Rather than granting early releases from their contracts, as often happened under the previous Vince McMahon regime, WWE now tend to simply allow contracts to expire before deciding not to renew them.
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But the company does still have 'windows' for main roster and NXT talents with 15 Superstars, including Dakota Kai, Braun Strowman and Cora Jade, being released back in May.
Now, 12 more wrestlers have been released from their WWE contracts.
The list of names, reported by Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, is highlighted by NXT star Wes Lee, a former NXT North American Champion who was tipped for promotion to the main roster before suffering a serious back injury in 2023.
Despite fears that the injury could cause the 30-year-old to retire, he made a successful comeback last year but has only wrestled sporadically across 2025.
Lance Anoa'i, who is the cousin of Roman Reigns, has also been released, with injury having prevented him from appearing for the company since he quietly signed last year.
Anoa'i posted to Twitter: "I would officially announce my departure from WWE! I didn't have the best of luck since I arrived! I will not let this stop me from achieving to be great! I've worked hard on the indies for 15 years! Now let's get back to work!"
London-born women's star Stevie Turner has also been released, with the rest of the cuts relating to WWE's EVOLVE and ID development programmes.
No active main roster talents are included in the list of releases.
R-Truth was released earlier this year, before being quickly rehired after heavy backlash over the decision.
And Karrion Kross and Scarlett both let their contracts expire in August after unsuccessful renewal talks with WWE.
Full list of WWE releases in October 2025
The full list of releases is as follows:
- Wes Lee
- Lance Anoa'i
- Stevie Turner
- Kylie Rae
- Zayda Steel
- Brayden 'BJ' Ray
- Haze Jameson
- Summer Sorrell
- Drako Knox
- Jin Tala
- Jamar Hampton
- Zara Zakher
Ryan Smart