WWE makes shock decision to RELEASE former world champion – who claims he QUITTED and wasn’t let go – as three superstars suddenly part ways with the company

WWE reportedly released several stars during Friday night’s broadcast of SmackDown, including a former world champion.

This happened as AJ Styles defeated LA Knight in a #1 contenders match, with the former beating his opponent with a thumb to the eye and a phenomenal forearm.

Styles is now set to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash as a challenger for his undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Bayley and Naomi also faced off for the WWE Women’s Championship, and despite both wrestlers clashing with several holds and strikes, the bout was ruled a no contest, with Bayley retaining her title.

Amid the action, Fightful and PWInsider reported that Jinder Mahal, Xia Li, and Xyon Quinn had all been released by the company.

Mahal, who joined WWE in 2010 after debuting in Premier Martial Arts Wrestling, is a former WWE Champion, having captured the title in 2017.

The news came during the Smackdown broadcast on Friday, as AJ Styles defeated LA Knight.

The agency released former world champion Jinder Mahal, who conversely claimed he had quit

Media reports say each fighter is subject to a 90-day non-compete clause, after which they will become free agents.

Mahal, meanwhile, took to social media to claim that he had indeed “quit,” but reports indicate that it was the company’s decision to part ways with the Indo-Canadian wrestler.

On Saturday, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I stopped. Maharaja out’ while adding a ‘money bag’ emoji.

In January, Mahal was seen ranting to the crowd on Monday Night RAW, but his speech was interrupted by The Rock, who made a surprise return at the event. The People’s Champion blasted Mahal and delivered “The People’s Elbow” to the former WWE Champion. Mahal would then challenge The Rock to a match in India.

Although this match never came to fruition, Mahal later suffered losses to Seth Rollins in a championship match, before losing twice to Ricochet, Apollo Crews and Akira Tozawa. He would also appear in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal earlier in April – his final WWE appearance.

Mahal wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I resigned”, following reports that he had been released

Mahal recently appeared in Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal earlier in April.

Xia Lee was another star released by the agency and thanked WWE on social media

Lee was also released from the agency and took to social media to thank Triple H and WWE, after joining the WWE Performance Center in 2017.

“It’s been over seven years since I joined WWE and as the first Chinese Superstar, I’m incredibly proud!” She wrote in an article on X. “I am sincerely grateful to WWE and HHH for welcoming me into this big family.”

She added: “This journey with WWE has been wonderful and I sincerely thank everyone who has been a part of it. It’s not the end but a new beginning! Let’s enjoy more exciting moments together! »

Lee was also reportedly shown in a commercial for a new Battle Royal event aimed at crowning a new Women’s World Champion at RAW’s April 22 event, but it appears she will no longer make an appearance for the match.

Lee said it was “not the end but a new beginning” in a statement released on X

Xyon Quinn has also been released by the agency but has yet to release a public statement

Quinn apologized to his followers on X after suffering his defeat to Bron Breakker in March

Her last WWE appearance was on Monday’s episode of RAW, where she was defeated by Natalya.

Quinn, a former professional Rugby League player, has yet to comment on his release after being moved to the main roster following the 2023 WWE Draft.

The 34-year-old Australian, who signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2018, made his final appearance on March 1, losing to Bron Breakker, with the latter pinning his opponent in just six seconds.

Quinn later apologized to his fans on