The latest wave of WWE superstar releases has seen 10 notable talents part ways with the company since Friday night, including former champions and even a WWE Hall of Famer. This is the first significant set of departures since WWE’s last round of releases in November. The timing comes just as the company is ramping up for its biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 41.
Among those let go are:
- Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar)
- Paul Ellering
- Cedric Alexander
- Sonya Deville
- Blair Davenport
- Isla Dawn
- Giovanni Vinci
- Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Below is more about each star’s departure:
Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar)
One-time NXT Tag Team and Raw Tag Team Champions, the Authors of Pain (AOP) were released per Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. The duo, who returned to WWE in 2024 as part of “The Final Testament” faction with Karrion Kross and Scarlett, competed at WrestleMania 40 before their departure.
Learn more about AOP’s WWE career.
Paul Ellering
Paul Ellering, legendary manager of the Authors of Pain and Road Warriors, has also been let go. Ellering, a WWE Hall of Famer, returned in 2024 to manage AOP again. His contributions to the tag team scene will not be forgotten.
More about Paul Ellering’s WWE legacy.
Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander announced his departure on social media, saying, “Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine.” Alexander was with WWE for nearly eight years, holding both the Cruiserweight and Raw Tag Team titles. He was also part of The Hurt Business faction.
Read more on Alexander’s WWE journey.
Sonya Deville
Sonya Deville, leader of the “Pure Fusion Collective,” is departing WWE after her contract was not renewed. A former Women’s Tag Team Champion, Deville battled injuries but returned in 2024 to form the PFC faction with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
Deville’s WWE story continues.
Blair Davenport
Blair Davenport’s time with WWE has ended, per Sean Ross Sapp. Known for her international wrestling credentials, she had limited matches since joining the main roster in 2024.
Details on Blair Davenport’s WWE run.
Isla Dawn
Isla Dawn confirmed her departure on Instagram with a cryptic message: “here for a good time, not a long time. See you in 90.” After forming “The Unholy Union” with Alba Fyre, Dawn won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship in Scotland during Clash at the Castle.
See more about Isla Dawn’s WWE career.
Giovanni Vinci
Giovanni Vinci, a founding member of Imperium, has been released. Vinci held the NXT Tag Team titles twice but struggled as a singles competitor after being ousted from Imperium.
Discover Vinci’s WWE highs and lows.
Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Veterans Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have exited WWE. The duo, known as part of The OC with AJ Styles, returned to WWE in 2022 and spent time in NXT before their release. They are two-time Raw Tag Team Champions.
