Mickie James: by far the most shocking release. I literally did a double-take when I read her name on that list. Though she's been having issues with backstage management, I didn't think it'd be enough to get her released. Even so, you'd think they'd at least wait until Melina got back before firing her. Though her best days were back in '06, she was still a great diva and I'm not sure how the diva's division is going to survive with Melina still injured, and it's top face fired.
Shelton Benjamin: another surprise, mostly because even at his lowest point, Shelton had always managed to avoid termination and it happens after he came off a pretty good run on ECW. Granted, outside of WM, he hadn't been used much, but he was a very solid mid-carder and worth keeping around IMO. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in TNA in 90 days; maybe we can finally get that Shelton/AJ Styles dream match that people have been wanting.
Kung Fu Naki: surprising only because he'd been with the company for so long and I thought he had a secure backstage position. Other than winning the Cruiserweight title years back, he's never done anything noteworthy and the Kung Fu Naki gimmick was just ridiculous. Oh well, Funaki, I'll always cherish the memory of you getting eliminated repeatedly at the 2000 Royal Rumble. INDEED!
Jimmy Wang Yang: I'm surprised it took this long to happen, really. He was on quite a roll when he first started this stupid gimmick, then he got suspended for violating the wellness policy and upon his return, received an all-expense paid trip to Jobber Island to which he never returned from. Good talent, but I won't miss him.
Slam Master J: I knew he was done as soon as Festus got sent to Raw, and that gimmick was just the nail in the coffin. All I can say is that I won't miss him.
Katie Lea Burchill: While I'm not surprised by this, I'm still upset because she was a very solid diva and I liked her. I thought her and Paul were a great pair and really could've gone somewhere if booked right. In fact, they were going somewhere until Glamerella nipped that in the bud, thus dooming them. I really hope Katie Lea goes to TNA; she'd be a great addition to the Knockout division.
Mike Knox: well, not much of a shock here either. Had a run as Kelly Kelly's boyfriend/CM Punk's bitch on ECW. Then he disappeared for a while, re-emerged as the bearded, evil...anatomy teacher, or something. I will say he was looking good in his feud with Finlay, and impressed me in the short time he was in the Elimination Chamber two years ago. I thought they were going to start an angle with him and Kane, possibly a tag team, but that obviously didn't happen. One of the better big men they had, but I'm not losing sleep over this.