Dolph Ziggler and Shelton Benjamin are released by WWE a new merger and TV deal
This week, WWE fans experienced a Black Friday one day early as the wrestling giant entered what’s now being referred to as the TKO era. Unfortunately, the acronym TKO took on a dual meaning over the past two weeks, signifying tough times for WWE staff. A mere week after a massive wave of releases was overshadowed by the electrifying return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on SmackDown, WWE’s TKO/Endeavor Era swung its cleavers once again, this time affecting the talent roster. Among the notable names released on Thursday was Dolph Ziggler, bringing an end to his nearly two-decade journey with the company, which saw him become a former world champion. This round of roster cuts also reportedly included Rick Boogs, Aliyah, Top Dolla, Emma, Riddick Moss, and Mustafa Ali, who confirmed the news on Twitter. Adding to the list of departures was Shelton Benjamin, who had originally signed with WWE in 2000 before his release in 2010, only to return in 2017. The list of WWE releases on September 21, 2023, amidst a new TV deal, is as follows: Mustafa Ali Rick Boogs Aliyah Top Dolla of Hit Row Tegan Nox Emma Riddick Moss Elias Shelton Benjamin Dolph Ziggler Dana Brooke Mansoor Mace Quincy Elliot Dabba-Kato Yulisa Leon The WWE landscape is undoubtedly undergoing significant changes, and fans and wrestling enthusiasts will be closely watching how the company evolves in this new era.