In a shocking move by WWE, the promotion released several Superstars on the Road To WrestleMania 41. While the company usually reserves its spring-cleaning for post-WrestleMania, they did things a little differently this time around, adjusting the roster (and budget) prior to the biggest event of the year.
From overlooked midcarders to underutilized veterans, each name on this list now faces a crossroads in their career. Should they head to AEW for fresh opportunities? Try their luck in Japan? Dominate the independent scene? Or perhaps even step away from the ring entirely? Let’s break down every WWE release from February 2025 and explore their next possible moves.
Editor's note: Elektra Lopez is the newest member of WWE's February releases.
From her time as an MMA-inspired enforcer to her authority figure role and tag team success, Sonya Deville has shown adaptability in and out of the ring. However, injuries, inconsistent booking, and some bad luck in her personal life derailed her momentum on various occasions. Most recently, she was part of Pure Fusion Collective alongside Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, but the trio couldn't get over with the fans. Sonya could easily find a role in other promotions, but she seems like a great target for TNA to acquire her services. She would thrive in that environment and could improve her in-ring skills.
However, of all the Superstars that were released, she seems most likely to ditch the wrestling business and look for work in the entertainment industry. Sonya has been open about her passion for entertainment outside of wrestling. With her past reality TV appearances and strong presence as WWE’s first openly gay female Superstar, she could transition into acting, hosting, or even sports broadcasting (specifically in MMA).
Cedric Alexander was one of WWE’s most underutilized talents, a high-flyer with crisp in-ring ability who never got the sustained push he deserved because he just couldn't find his character and connect with the crowd. Alexander will always be remembered for his epic performance (and subsequent hiring) in the Cruiserweight Classic. However, his biggest claim to fame in WWE was as part of The Hurt Business.
AEW is the perfect landing spot for Cedric Alexander. He fits the company’s wrestling style, has history with several top stars he could reunite with (The Hurt Syndicate), and could either work as a singles competitor or shine in the tag division. With the right booking, he could finally get the respect and spotlight that WWE never gave him. The one thing that might prevent this from happening is AEW's treatment of Big Swole, Cedric's wife.
Giovanni Vinci is a technically sound, hard-hitting wrestler who never quite reached the next level in WWE. As part of Imperium, he played the role of the enforcer well, but once he was kicked out of the stable, Vinci’s future became uncertain, especially after his weird booking as soon as he was moved to SmackDown.
While he could be a good fit for many promotions like TNA, NJPW and even AEW, his best bet to find greater success in wrestling is to have a run on the indies. He could reinvent himself before making a grand return to a major promotion. Vinci should definitely give Matt Cardona a call to see how he can do just that.
The Indy God welcomes you all…— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) February 8, 2025
Isla Dawn is the hardest to predict in terms of what she could do next. She has a unique presence, blending a witchcraft-inspired character with solid in-ring ability. While WWE never fully capitalized on her potential, she could find success in a number of promotions.
A spot in AEW’s women’s division makes sense, but she likely wouldn't stand out in the promotion. Instead, a stint in TNA would work best, where she could reinvent herself and prove she’s someone who can lead her division.
The Good Brothers have bounced around promotions quite a bit in the last few years, and the duo is once again looking for a new home. AEW is an obvious answer, considering their connection with the EVPs, but the company doesn't exactly need them, especially since they failed to really make an impact in their prior appearances in AEW.
Thus, a return to TNA, or even NJPW, is likely their next move, as soon as Karl Anderson is fully healthy to once again compete.
Blair Davenport has all the tools to be a significant player in any women’s division: an aggressive in-ring style, legitimate toughness, and international experience from WWE, NXT UK, and STARDOM. Her call-up on the main roster went nowhere quick, and she disappeared from WWE TV before her inevitable release.
Just like The Good Brothers, Blair Davenport could make her return to AEW, but she'd fit best in Japan (STARDOM or any other promotion).
The Authors Of Pain felt like the next big tag team during their initial run in NXT. Paired with Paul Ellering, they never found the same success on the main roster, playing second fiddle to wrestlers like Seth Rollins and Karion Kross.
Akam and Rezar have all the makings to be an unstoppable force in AEW’s tag team division. With their sheer size, brute strength, and past success as WWE Tag Team Champions, they could instantly shake up the landscape. If Paul Ellering joins them, they could thrive even more given how well AEW uses legendary managers.
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