WWE Releases 2020-2021: Where Are They Now?

23. Buddy Murphy

Buddy Murphy
Instagram, @wwe_murphy

Released: 2 June 2021

Now: When he isn't being an absolute tank in the gym, Buddy Murphy is part of House Of Black on AEW TV. The stable's future plans are up in the air, but Buddy is a good-enough worker that he'll always find a place for himself on WWE or AEW's rosters.

As always, Murphy's just waiting for that one big chance to show what he can do.

22. Mia Yim

The OC AJ Styles Luke Gallows Karl Anderson Mia Yim
WWE.com

Released: 4 November 2021

Now: Almost exactly one year on from her release date, Mia Yim is back. She was reintroduced as the The OC's answer to Judgment Day "Mami" Rhea Ripley on the 7 November 2022 episode of Raw, and it seems Mia will become a key part of AJ Styles' core group going forwards.

During her downtime away from WWE, Yim worked some indy dates.

21. The Revival

FTR promo
AEW/NJPW

Released: April 2020

Now: It's business as usual for FTR. The ex-Revival lads are still dominating tag-team wrestling and flying the flag for old-school sensibilities. They're AEW full-timers, but also hold New Japan's IWGP Tag straps, the ROH belts and the AAA doubles titles too.

Would they fit into Triple H's vision if they ever left AEW? 'The Game' hasn't exactly got behind tag wrestling quite yet, has he?

20. Tay Conti

Tay Conti Sammy Guevara
AEW

Released: 20 April 2020

Now: Tay Conti is now called Tay Melo and has carved out a run for herself alongside real-life lover Sammy Guevara as part of AEW's Jericho Appreciation Society. Originally, they were cast as babyfaces, but all that kissing and PDA stuff got on people's t*ts and folks started to boo.

Now, that's kinda their thing. WWE might consider Melo one who got away long-term.

19. Mickie James

Mickie James IMPACT Slammiversary
ImpactWrestling.com

Released: 15 April 2021

Now: Longtime fan favourite Mickie James announced that she'd retire the next time she lost a match in IMPACT, then managed to defeat Mia Yim at Bound For Glory to keep the career train going. It does seem like Mickie is winding down her active in-ring run though, and it is only a matter of time before she properly retires.

Is one last WWE cameo out of the question? It'd be fitting closure.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.