Every WWE Release Of 2021 - Where Are They Now? (Five Years Later)

Then: The wrestling world was left slack-jawed when word got around that Bray Wyatt had been released on 31 July 2021. His exit came after a bunch of releases in April and June, so nobody really saw this one coming. After all, Wyatt's 'Fiend' gimmick had been one of the most heavily featured acts on WWE television for a few years.

Bray had claimed he was ready for a fresh start on an episode of 'Firefly Fun House' shortly before leaving the promotion. WWE creative have to take the bulk of responsibility for completely derailing what he was trying to do with his 'Fiend' offshoot.

Events like Hell In A Cell 2019 and Super ShowDown 2020 left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.

Now: Of course, Wyatt tragically passed away on 24 August 2023 aged just 36. If his release had come as a shocker to everyone, then news that he'd died was gut-wrenching. This was a 36 year old man who appeared to have so much more to give, and now he was gone.

Bray had returned to WWE in October 2022, but it seemed like he was in for more of the same 50/50 booking treatment before vanishing from screens shortly before WrestleMania 38 due to illness. No-one knew then that they'd never see him in front of the cameras again.

It's incredible to think that years have passed since Wyatt was with us. His memory lives on via The Wyatt Sicks faction on SmackDown, but it's terribly sad that he isn't here.