WWE’s Year of Departures: Superstars Released in 2023

Here is a comprehensive list of WWE Superstars who were released during the year 2023, along with details about their final matches and their contributions to the company:

Dolph Ziggler

Final Match: Against JD McDonagh on Raw (May 29, 2023)
Achievements: Two-time World Champion, NXT Champion, and Triple-Crown Champion.

Shelton Benjamin

Final Match: Against The Viking Raiders on Main Event (September 11, 2023)
Notable Run: Part of the Hurt Business and teamed with Cedric Alexander.

Elias

Final Match: #1 Contender Battle Royal on Raw (May 15, 2023)
Departure: Elias sang his final tune in WWE.

Emma

Final Match: Against Shayna Baszler on Raw (July 10, 2023)
Interesting Fact: Released after expressing excitement about WWE heading to Perth, Australia.

Mustafa Ali

Final Match: Against Dragon Lee on NXT (September 5, 2023)
Note: Plans for Ali to win the NXT North American title reportedly existed.

Rick Boogs

Final Match: Slim Jim Battle Royal at SummerSlam 2023
Unique Claim: Alleged backstage forces contributed to his release.

Aliyah

Final Match: Against Damage CTRL on Raw (September 12, 2022)
Noteworthy: Held the record for the fastest-ever win in a Women’s match in WWE NXT.

Top Dolla

Final Match: Against LA Knight on SmackDown (August 11, 2023)
Memorable Moment: Known for a botched dive that inadvertently saved his life.

Mace

Final Match: #1 Contender Battle Royal on Raw (May 15, 2023)
Unfulfilled Feud: A potential feud with Brock Lesnar was teased but never materialized.

Mansoor

Final Match: #1 Contender Battle Royal on Raw (May 15, 2023)
Insight: Mansoor shared backstage experiences, including heat at Super ShowDown 2019.

Matt Riddle

Final Match: Against the Viking Raiders (September 4, 2023)
Achievements: Former U.S. Champion, two-time Raw Tag Team Champion, and former NXT Tag Team Champion.

Alicia Fox

Final Match: Women’s Royal Rumble at Royal Rumble 2022
Status: Confirmed her departure from WWE earlier in the year.

Riddick Moss

Final Match: Against ‘Big’ Bronson Reed on Main Event (September 11, 2023)
Highlight: Won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal during his tenure.

Dabba-Kato

Final Match: Against Tyler Bate on NXT (September 5, 2023)
Untapped Potential: WWE tested him as an enforcer for Cora Jade at NXT live events.

Dana Brooke

Final Match: Against Lyra Valkyria on NXT (September 12, 2023)
Career Resurgence: Dana revitalized her career as part of WWE NXT and held multiple 24/7 Championship titles.

Ikemen Jiro

Final Match: Against Luca Crusifino on NXT Level Up (September 19, 2023)
New Beginnings: Competing for AJPW in Japan alongside Seigo Tachibana.

Quincy Elliot

Final Match: Against Ikemen Jiro on NXT Tampa Live (August 19, 2023)
Backstage Heat: Reportedly had significant backstage issues and didn’t meet WWE’s expectations.

Shanky

Final Match: Against GUNTHER at WWE Superstar Spectacle 2023
Notable: Challenged for the Intercontinental Championship in India before his release.

Yulisa Leon

Final Match: Against Elektra Lopez & Lola Vice on NXT (August 1, 2023)
Second-Generation Wrestler: Continued her wrestling journey with the Crash Lucha Libre promotion, becoming a former Crash Women’s Champion.

Kevin Ventura-Cortes

Final Match: Against Sanga & Veer on Raw (May 29, 2023)
Limited Run: Had just one match during his WWE tenure, signed in 2022.

Brooklyn Barlow

Final Match: Against Dani Palmer on NXT Level Up (August 8, 2023)
Debut and Record: Made her in-ring debut but had a 0-10 win-loss record.

Bryson Montana

Final Match: Against Hank Walker & Tank Ledger on NXT Largo Live (July 7, 2023)
Debut: Joined WWE in May of the previous year, securing a win on NXT Level Up.

Additionally, WWE released developmental recruits Alexis Lete, Daniel McArthur, and Melanie Bzezinski during the year. These Superstars have left their mark in WWE and the wrestling world, with some continuing their careers in different promotions.