Report: Samoa Joe & Mickie James Wanted To Wrestle Again Before WWE Cut Them
WWE cut Samoa Joe and Mickie James loose before they could return to the ring.
Mickie James and Samoa Joe were the two most experienced performers on yesterday's list of WWE releases, which sat at a total of 10 names following the evening's confirmation that Mojo Rawley had joined a group including The IIconics, Kalisto, and Chelsea Green.
Wrestling-wise, James and Joe were both inactive prior to being let go, though both were campaigning for a return to action.
Per Fightful Select, James had been particularly vocal about wanting to step back through the ropes. Joe, meanwhile, had also stated he wanted to wrestle again, though WWE wouldn't grant him clearance to return.
James last wrestled in the 2021 women's Royal Rumble on 31 January. Prior to that, she worked Zelina Vega on the 21 September 2020 episode of Raw, only competing in a total of five televised matches through the calendar year after returning from serious injury in August.
Joe, meanwhile, last wrestled in February 2020. A spate of unfortunate injuries coupled with a 30-day suspension for violating the WWE Wellness Policy and a concussion suffered while filming a commercial sidelined him, with the former NXT Champion stepping into the Raw announce booth while inactive in the ring. He last appeared at WrestleMania 37, where he provided commentary.