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Why did Toni Storm leave WWE? Fans say she 'could absolutely lead an entire division'

Back in 2018, Storm competed in and won the Mae Young Classic tournament

WWE SmackDown Superstar Toni Storm has been released by WWE. Storm has reportedly asked for and was granted her release on Wednesday, December 29. However, budget cut has not been listed as the reason for her departure.

Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp wrote on Twitter, "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."

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Storm, who was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 19, 1995, moved to Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia with her mother when she was four. This was the time when her parents had separated. She discovered WWE on television while living on the Gold Coast, and developed an interest in wrestling.

Storm made her main roster debut in an episode of 'SmackDown' in July. Here, she defeated 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.

Charlotte Flair and Toni Storm went one-on-one for the SmackDown Women's Title on the Christmas Eve edition of WWE 'SmackDown'. Storm was, however, unable to defeat Flair, who went on to retain the title.

The former NXT UK Women's Champion is one of the many stars who have left WWE this year, including Keith Lee, Nia Jax and Karrion Kross. While the wrestling world must be shocked at Storm's departure, WWE has not released an official statement yet. 

Besides WWE, Storm has performed in the Japan-based World Wonder Ring Stardom. Here, she was the very first UK wrestler to hold its world title. She also held Stardom's SWA World Championship for a reign of 612 days. Storm held the Progress Women's Championship in the UK-based Progress Wrestling. In the Germany-based Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), Storm held its wXw Women's Championship twice.

Social media expressed its disappointment at 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, while another said, "Toni Storm is gone from WWE. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful broke the news and PWInsider just confirmed her release. Never forget that this woman debuted on TV, sat in catering for months, took two pies to the face and was left crying after her match on Friday. Fu***** ridiculous."