WWE has seemingly been paying the price for hoarding talent when AEW emerged on the wrestling scene almost three years ago. The promotion has let go of almost 80 Superstars so far in 2021. Now it's December, you would hope that number won't get any higher, though you never know. The good news for all of those released is that there are currently more places to make a living wrestling than there has been for a very long time.
Marina Shafir In AEW
For most former WWE Superstars, AEW is their first choice should they be wished well in their future endeavors. Despite being less than three years old, it quickly became number two on the wrestling landscape thanks to the talent involved on day one and the money behind it. Tony Khan also hasn't been shy when it comes to picking up wrestlers WWE has recently let go.
RELATED: Marina Shafir And Arturo Ruas Were Supposed To Be Members Of NXT's Diamond Mine
It seems the next released wrestler on Khan's wishlist is Marina Shafir. The former WWE and UFC star was in attendance for Rampage on Friday night and competed in a match off camera. Shafir wrestled against Kris Statlander in a match that will be featured during an upcoming episode of Dark. The YouTube show's episodes are taped in batches so it's unclear when exactly the match will air.
Scuppered Plans In NXT
Shafir was released by WWE back in June. A part of NXT, she teamed with fellow MMA horsewoman Jessamyn Duke who was also released this year. Her final match for WWE was on 205 Live back in January. Shafir teamed with Zoey Stark in a losing effort against Ember Moon and Shotzi. The match was a first-round bout in the women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
Shafir is reportedly one of quite a few wrestlers released this year who WWE actually had plans for that never manifested. She was supposed to be a member of Diamond Mine alongside her husband Roderick Strong. Clearly, those plans changed, as has been the case a lot in NXT lately, and Shafir found herself released instead. She may well find herself under contract with AEW if Khan liked what he saw in her match against Statlander.
