WWE Releases Have Begun
As reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE has released Baron Corbin, Indi Hartwell, and Tegan Nox. This news follows recent reports indicating that WWE was planning to part ways with several stars, and now the identities of those released have been revealed. This raises two questions. The first one is: Will there be more? The second is: How many more?
Baron Corbin, a former United States Champion and winner of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, was once regarded as one of the most despised heels in WWE during the 2018-2019 period. After a stint that included a partnership with JBL, he was sent to NXT for a much-needed reinvention. There, he found success, notably as part of a tag team with Bron Breakker as part of the Wolf Dogs, with whom he won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and later the NXT Tag Team Championships, making it his first championship in five years. However, after being drafted to SmackDown in 2024, Corbin's appearances dwindled as he teamed up with Apollo Crews, only to be phased out and eventually released after a 12-year tenure.
Indi Hartwell's situation is particularly unfortunate. Just a year ago, she captured the NXT Women’s Championship in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver, only to vacate it due to an ankle injury shortly thereafter. Hartwell previously gained recognition as a member of the stable The Way, where she won the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships alongside Candice LeRae. She also enjoyed a popular romance storyline with Dexter Lumis, known as InDex. After being drafted to Raw as NXT Women’s Champion, her injury stalled her momentum, and now, with LeRae sort of rising to prominence as the first Women’s Speed Champion, Hartwell's absence may raise questions about her future.
Tegan Nox first appeared on WWE television during the 2018 Mae Young Classic, where she faced Rhea Ripley but suffered a severe knee injury during the match. After returning in 2019, she engaged in a heated feud with Dakota Kai, but her career faced setbacks, including never being featured on TV after being drafted to Raw in 2021. After a brief return in 2022, where she aided Liv Morgan against Damage CTRL, Nox had her moment in 2023, challenging NXT Women’s Champion Becky Lynch in a losing effort. After that, she again was seen in a limited role, culminating in her last appearance all the way back in January during the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match, where she lasted under two minutes being eliminated by eventual winner, Bayley. Nox has expressed her disappointment from not being featured lately on her social media. Not long after that, she was released for a second time.
The releases of Baron Corbin, Indi Hartwell, and Tegan Nox highlight the unpredictable nature of WWE's roster management. Each of these talents had their moments of success and promise, yet various circumstances led to their departures. Fans are most likely going to speculate that the released superstars will join AEW or some other company. Corbin is 40 years old, so he may want to spend more time with his family. Hartwell and Nox are still young, but rather prone to injuries. As WWE continues to evolve, they still have a ton of talent that they are not utilizing, so it leaves fans, analysts, and possibly the wrestlers themselves, who is next?
