WWE Black Wednesday Releases 5 Years Later - Where Are They Now?

15 April 2020 was a dark day for professional wrestling. WWE released dozens of wrestlers and staff during a mass budget-cutting cull that objectively didn't need to happen. Yes, business is business, but the company touted record profits that year yet still sent countless people tumbling towards an uncertain future mid-pandemic. It was unsavoury at best, and Vince McMahon's ruthless decision making left a bad taste in many mouths.

What are those wrestlers who were cast out doing almost a full five years on from that depressing experience? That's the question. Several of them are actually back on the WWE roster doing their thing, but most others have found work elsewhere on the wrestling map. Even so, many fans still remember the grim reality of those tear-filled social media posts and video addresses that laid bare shattered dreams. Thankfully, financial ruin didn't follow.

It's worth noting that only actual wrestlers will be included in this article. Others, like producers, road agents, and office staff members, won't be included. However, in an interesting touch, one of the names involved went from active worker out on the road to the office, and he's carved out a solid niche for himself behind the scenes. Good for him.

15 April 2020 became known as "Black Wednesday". Not all of the mass releases happened on that same day (more followed, sadly), but generally everything was grouped together under the same banner at the time.

Here's what happened to everyone sent out into the cold during a thoroughly bleak time to be part of the biz. Are they free agents? Tied down to a contract in other companies? Back in WWE? Let's find out.