WWE releases Kurt Angle, more than a dozen other stars

It’s common for WWE to release a number of stars each year following WrestleMania, but the company announced a long list of departures on Wednesday, and will reportedly furlough a part of its workforce during the coronavirus crisis. The releases and furloughs came on the same week Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment, parent company of the XFL, filed for bankruptcy.

Among those released are WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, who returned to the company in 2017 to serve as the Raw general manager and a part-time wrestler. Angle wrestled his final match last year at WrestleMania 35, and has not appeared on WWE television since last August. Also released was veteran referee Mike Chioda, a longtime employee who made his first appearance in 1989.

Here is the full list of stars who have been released so far:

Via WWE.com:

• WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle

I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They’re the best fans in the world. #itstrue

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) April 15, 2020

• Rusev

Thank you All, Rusev out!

— Miro (@RusevBUL) April 15, 2020

• Drake Maverick

My immediate thoughts.@WWE @WWENXT #WWE #NXT @TripleH @ShawnMichaels #Cruiserweight pic.twitter.com/Afw58V7eo1

— Drake Maverick (@WWEMaverick) April 15, 2020

• Curt Hawkins
• Karl Anderson
• Luke Gallows
• Heath Slater
• Eric Young
• Rowan
• Sarah Logan
• EC3
• Aiden English
• Lio Rush
• Primo
• Epico
• Zack Ryder
• No Way Jose
• Mike Kanellis
• Referee Mike Chioda
• Lance Storm

My best to all who, like me, lost their jobs today. To those still on the job, hold down the fort for us. It was my pleasure to work with you all these past 4 month. I hope we will all get a chance to work together again. Stay strong, stay safe.

— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) April 15, 2020

• Fit Finlay

To all my friends,fans. And family. This is a crazy time and I want to say thanks to @WWEUniverse and everyone I’ve ever shared ring time with, working with or teaching. Stay safe. Especially to all the amazing girls (women) I’ve had the honor to work with. Stay safe y’all.

— Fit Finlay (@ringfox1) April 15, 2020

• Shane Helms

Thanks everyone for all the great messages. I truly believe that this is just temporary. There are many people in this world in far worse situations than I am, so please don’t worry about me too much. I’ll always be The Hurricane and I’m always just a tweet away. Love you all!

— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 15, 2020

Many WWE stars reacted to the news on Twitter.

Yuck

— Bray Wyatt (@WWEBrayWyatt) April 15, 2020

💔

— Ms. WrestleMania (@MsCharlotteWWE) April 15, 2020

Very hard day for the WWE family 💔

— Lexi Kaufman (@AlexaBliss_WWE) April 15, 2020

My heart breaks for anyone who has lost their job during this. I feel sick about it. Sending you guys so much love ❤️

— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) April 15, 2020

My heart is breaking for my wrestling family..

— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) April 15, 2020