Smark Out Moment

This 2020 WWE releases list is a year-by-year archive of WWE Superstars, wrestlers and on-screen talent who left the company during 2020. This resource tracks confirmed releases, roster departures, developmental exits, contract expirations and clearly labeled storyline firings from that calendar year.

Legend: 🔁 = partial roster exit or role change, not a full company departure.

WWE SUPERSTARS RELEASED IN 2020:

• January 18 - Jazzy Gabert became a free agent after leaving NXT UK.
• January 22 - Killer Kelly appeared to be done with WWE/NXT UK after her profile was removed.
• February 14 - Cathy Kelley left WWE after NXT TakeOver: Portland.
• March 1 - Matt Hardy left WWE after his contract expired.
• April 10 - The Revival's Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson were released by WWE.
• April 15 - Aiden English, Curt Hawkins, Drake Maverick, EC3, Eric Young, Erick Rowan, Heath Slater, Karl Anderson, Lio Rush, Luke Gallows, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, No Way Jose, Primo Colon, Epico Colon, Rusev, Sarah Logan and Zack Ryder were released by WWE.
• April 15 - Aleksandar Jaksic, Deonna Purrazzo and MJ Jenkins were among the developmental talent released by WWE.
• April 17 - Nick Ogarelli, Tino Sabbatelli and Taynara Conti were released by WWE.
• April 28 - Cain Velasquez was released by WWE.
• April 30 - Curtis Axel was released by WWE.
• June 19 - Jack Gallagher was released by WWE.
• June 26 - Ligero and Travis Banks were released from NXT UK.
• August 31 - Mauro Ranallo left WWE.
• September 4 - AOP (Akam and Rezar) were released by WWE.
• November 13 - Zelina Vega was released by WWE.

WWE ROLE CHANGES / PARTIAL DEPARTURES IN 2020:

• 🔁 May 16 - Drew Gulak briefly left WWE after his contract expired, then re-signed several days later.
• 🔁 June 4 - Drake Maverick re-signed with WWE after his real release was turned into an NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament storyline with him re-signing.
• 🔁 July 27 - Kairi Sane finished her full-time WWE run and returned to Japan in an ambassador role