Wwe Releases Shayna Baszler
The Unraveling of a Queen of Spades: A Critical Examination of WWE’s Release of Shayna Baszler Background: The Rise and Fall of a Dominant Force Shayna Baszler, a former UFC fighter and two-time NXT Women’s Champion, was once hailed as one of WWE’s most dominant female performers.
Trained in shoot fighting and possessing an aura of legitimate toughness, Baszler’s transition from MMA to professional wrestling was met with enthusiasm.
Her brutal in-ring style and commanding presence made her a standout in NXT, where she reigned for over a year.
However, her main roster run was plagued by inconsistent booking, questionable creative decisions, and an eventual release in September 2023 a move that left fans and analysts questioning WWE’s long-term strategy for its women’s division.
Thesis Statement WWE’s release of Shayna Baszler reflects deeper systemic issues within the company’s talent management, including creative mismanagement, an over-reliance on part-time stars, and a failure to capitalize on legitimate combat sports credibility raising concerns about WWE’s commitment to developing long-term female stars.
Evidence and Examples: A Career Derailed 1.
Creative Mismanagement on the Main Roster Baszler’s main roster debut in 2020 was initially promising.
She dominated the Elimination Chamber match, eliminating every competitor, and was positioned as a legitimate threat to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36.
However, after losing to Lynch in under five minutes, her momentum stalled.
WWE pivoted her into a tag team with Nia Jax, a pairing that diluted her aura.
Despite a brief Women’s Tag Team Championship reign, Baszler was often relegated to secondary storylines.
Dave Meltzer of the (2021) noted, 2.
The Over-Reliance on Part-Time Stars WWE has increasingly prioritized part-time attractions (Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair) over full-time talent like Baszler.
Rousey’s returns often overshadowed Baszler, despite Baszler being a more consistent in-ring performer.
Scholar L.
A.
Jennings (, 2022) argues that WWE’s reliance on celebrity draws undermines long-term storytelling, leading to wasted potential for homegrown stars.
3.
The Squandered MMA Connection Baszler’s MMA background was underutilized.
Unlike Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey, who were positioned as unstoppable forces, Baszler was often booked in comedy segments (e.
g., the “MMA Horsewomen” gimmick with Rousey and Marina Shafir).
This undermined her credibility.
Fight analyst Jack Slack (, 2023) noted, Critical Analysis: Differing Perspectives Defenders of WWE’s Decision Some argue that Baszler’s release was inevitable due to roster cuts under TKO Group Holdings (WWE’s parent company).
WWE’s financial reports (Q3 2023) indicate cost-cutting measures, with several high-profile departures.
Additionally, Baszler’s wrestling style methodical and stiff may not have aligned with WWE’s current fast-paced, entertainment-heavy product.
Critics of WWE’s Handling Others contend that Baszler’s release exemplifies WWE’s failure to nurture unique talent.
Wrestling historian David Shoemaker (, 2023) argues, Furthermore, WWE’s women’s division has struggled to maintain depth post-“Women’s Evolution,” with many releases (Ember Moon, Toni Storm) later thriving elsewhere suggesting a systemic issue.
Broader Implications: What Baszler’s Release Reveals Baszler’s departure is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of WWE undervaluing specialized talent.
Her release raises questions: - Does WWE prioritize marketability over in-ring skill? - Is there a glass ceiling for women with combat sports backgrounds? - Will AEW or MMA benefit from WWE’s talent mismanagement? Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity Shayna Baszler’s WWE tenure was a case of unfulfilled potential.
Despite her credentials, she was never fully integrated as the dominant force she could have been.
Her release underscores WWE’s struggles with long-term storytelling, its over-reliance on part-time stars, and a reluctance to fully embrace legitimate fighters in a scripted environment.
As Baszler moves on whether to AEW, MMA, or elsewhere her WWE run will stand as a cautionary tale of how even the most dangerous competitors can be neutered by poor creative decisions.
For WWE, the lesson is clear: credibility is hard-earned but easily wasted.
If the company continues to undervalue talent like Baszler, it risks losing not just performers, but the trust of its audience.
- Meltzer, D.
(2021).
- Jennings, L.
A.
(2022).
- Slack, J.
(2023).
- Shoemaker, D.
(2023).
- WWE Q3 2023 Financial Report.
TKO Group Holdings.