Smark Out Moment

This 2016 WWE releases list is a year-by-year archive of WWE Superstars, wrestlers and on-screen talent who left the company during 2016. This resource tracks confirmed releases, roster departures, developmental exits, contract expirations and clearly labeled storyline firings from that calendar year.

WWE SUPERSTARS RELEASED IN 2016:

• February 5 - Bull Dempsey, Marcus Louis, Sylvester Lefort, Magno and Peter Howard were released by WWE.
• February 8 - Daniel Bryan retired from in-ring competition.
• April 2 - Sting announced his in-ring retirement during his WWE Hall of Fame speech.
• April 3 - Brie Bella stepped away from full-time competition.
• April 27 - Rich Brennan was released by WWE.
• April 29 - Kyle Edwards was released by WWE.
• May 6 - Alex Riley, Cameron, Damien Sandow, El Torito, Hornswoggle, King Barrett, Santino Marella and Zeb Colter were released by WWE.
• May 10 - The Brooklyn Brawler was released by WWE.
• May 18 - Alex Reyes was released by WWE.
• May 21 - Cody Rhodes requested his WWE release.
• May 23 - Adam Rose was released by WWE.
• May 24 - Eden Stiles announced that she had requested her WWE release.
• July 28 - Josh Woods, Tom Kingdon and ZZ Loupe were released by WWE.
• August 8 - Ryback left WWE after his contract expired.
• August 8 - Joey Styles was reportedly released by WWE.
• August 18 - King Konstantine was released by WWE.
• August 22 - The Dudley Boyz finished their WWE run.
• September 9 - Alberto Del Rio left WWE.
• September 30 - Hugo Knox was released by WWE.
• October 2 - Caroline "CJ" Dunning and Sara Lee were released by WWE.