In a rather surprising turn of events, Toni Storm has reportedly quit WWE. According to the reports, the 26-year-old reportedly asked for her release from the company. The recent development comes days after she sparred with Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s title during last Friday’s Christmas Eve edition of the show.
The buzz around WWE is that the New Zealand professional wrestler requested her release, and it was granted, according to Fightful and PWInsider.
Storm was recently involved in a Triple Threat Match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at a Live Event in Washington, DC and booked her flight home on Wednesday morning.
There are also no incidents to suggest that the Triple Threat match somehow was why she took this step.
It is also being reported that an internal memo was issued to announce Storm’s departure to the roster and her name was the only one listed.
However, a budget cut has not been listed as the reason for her departure.
"Those that I spoke to within WWE believe Toni Storm asked for her release from the company, though I'm also making an effort to reach out to those close to her. The memo that went out did not list budget cuts as the reason, as has been tradition of late," wrote the Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Twitteraties have expressed their disappointment over Storm's departure from WWE. "I stopped watching this cr** company after they released all my fave wrestlers in Keith Lee, Mia Yim, Killer Kross with Scarlett, Malakai Black, Andrade, Hit Row, Braun, Bray, Iconics, John Morrison, Franky Monet, Bronson Reed, Murphy, Toni storm, etc.," one user wrote on Twitter.
"Toni Storm, Ember Moon, Nox, Taya Valkryie, Mia Yim, Mercedes Martinez, Marina Shafir, Jessamyn Duke, Lana, Ruby Riott, Nia Jax, Santana Garrett, The IIconics, Mickie James, and Chelsea Green. You could build a whole promotion with just the women WWE has released this year," said another user.
"WWE releases Toni Storm, and legit passes on a woman who could absolutely lead an entire division. I said it on Friday after her match with Charlotte live on stream. It seemed as if it was over for her. WWE absolutely released her because SHE WAS A TRIPLE H GIRL. Absolutely," one user wrote on Twitter.
Storm made her debut in an episode of 'SmackDown' in July. She defeated the current Queen of the Ring, Zelina Vega. Back in 2018, Storm competed in and won the Mae Young Classic tournament. She later worked the NXT UK brand, following which she was called up to the main NXT brand in the United States during the fall of 2020.
Image Source: Instagram/tonistorm_