10 Wrestlers WWE Regret Releasing
8. Gail Kim
WWE have released Gail Kim on two separate occasions. The first was in 2004, when Kim was told that management wanted to take the women’s division in a new direction, and she was let go as a cost-cutting measure. She returned in 2008 and spent three more years with the company, but was let go when her contract expired in 2011, and hasn’t been seen since.
The first release is baffling, given the state of women’s wrestling at the time. Outside of WWE, Kim played a vital role in establishing the TNA Knockouts Division, and eventually worked her way into the company’s Hall of Fame. She’s widely regarded as one of the best women’s wrestlers of her generation, and had she stuck around, Gail could have been instrumental in raising the WWE Divas’ pre-Revolution standards - and occupying a Mickie James-esque vanguard role on the opposing brand.
The second was more justifiable. Frustrated with her role, Gail asked for her release, but WWE refused to let her go. Thus, she was made to sit-out the remainder of her deal before eventually departing in regrettable fashion, and vowing to never sign with WWE again. Kim technically left of her own accord, but it stemmed from the company alienating somebody who should have been a standard-bearer.