Report: WWE Contacting Released Wrestlers For Royal Rumble 2022

WWE has reportedly reached out to several wrestlers released during the pandemic for the Rumble.

by Andy H Murray
The IInspiration
Impact Wrestling

WWE has reached out to a number of wrestlers released by the company since the COVID-19 pandemic's March 2020 onset with a view to having them appear at Royal Rumble 2022 this Saturday (29 January).

This is according to Fightful Select. The former IIconics, Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee, were amongst that group but turned WWE down as they are satisfied with their current career path outwith the market leaders. The duo have been IMPACT Wrestling's Knockouts Tag Team Champions since defeating Decay at Bound For Glory 2021 (23 October), capturing the straps in their first match.

Mickie James has already been announced for the women's Royal Rumble. The reigning IMPACT Knockouts Champion was released by WWE on the same day as Lee and McKay (15 April 2021), but will seemingly represent her new home in the over-the-top-rope battle royal.

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The likes of Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, and more remain free agents following their WWE releases in 2021. Typically, these roster culls have been attributed to "budget cuts" despite WWE's record-high profitability in recent years.

WWE currently has 15 free spots to fill in the men's Royal Rumble and nine in the women's match.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.