Smark Out Moment

As part of WWE's efforts to slash their operating costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, employees "across the board" have been released, furloughed, laid off or anything of the sort.

As of April 15, 2020, the following people have been released from World Wrestling Entertainment (possibly with more coming with future announcements and leaks) along with my thoughts next to each name:

• Lio Rush - It seemed like he was on the lower end of the totem pole, so I'm not too shocked.
• EC3 - This makes sense. He's been out of action for months with a concussion and he wasn't valued on the main roster as it was.
• Karl Anderson - Not Luke Gallows, too? Unless his announcement is coming up.
• Curt Hawkins - Zack Ryder has always been the more protected of the two.
• Drake Maverick - They JUST announced that he's in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship tournament.
• Hurricane Helms - I guess there's no need for more road agents if you're not on the road, right?
• Heath Slater - Damn. I thought they'd try to keep him on. They must be releasing a TON of people...
• Eric Young - Saw this one coming. 
• Luke Gallows - Okay, that answers that question.
• Billy Kidman, Mike Rotunda, Dave Finlay, Pat Buck, Shawn Daivari, Scott Armstrong, Sarah Stock, Lance Storm, Kurt Angle - Basically, adios producers.
• Aiden English - So we can expect a bunch of commentators, too, I guess. 
• Sarah Logan - Honestly, I didn't expect her to be cut.
• Mike Chioda - Wow.
• Erick Rowan - Jeez.
• The Colons - This was many years coming.
• Mike Kanellis - Not surprised. Maria should follow suit.
• Maria Kanellis - See?
• Zack Ryder
• No Way Jose 
• Rusev
• Aleksandar Jaksic
• Deonna Purrazzo
• MJ Jenkins
• Josiah Williams
• Serena Deeb
• Ace Steel 
• Kendo Kashin
• Jerry Soto
• Dorian Mak
• Jon Quasto
• Alyssa Marino
• Kassius Ohno??
• Nick Ogarelli
• Tino Sabbatelli
• Taynara Conti
• Cezar Bononi (unconfirmed)
• Mars Wang (unconfirmed)
• Edgar Lopez (unconfirmed)
• Faisal Kurdi (unconfirmed)
• Hussain Aldagal (unconfirmed)
• Marcos Gomes (unconfirmed)
• Mohamed Fahim (unconfirmed)
• Omari Palmer (unconfirmed)
• Rocky
• (Note: There will be more releases, likely, and I'll be trying to update this asap, but I'm also going live for the Smack Talk podcast, so I'll have my attention split. Stay tuned. All updates will happen eventually.)

I'll be updating this post whenever new releases are announced.

Click here for the full list of people who have been released, quit or retired from WWE this past year.