WWE decides to cut cost with the release of 21 superstars including Kurt Angle and Rusev

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has been released by the company as part of a massive cull of wrestlers and backstage talent.

The Olympic Gold Medalist and six-time WWE world champion is one of a growing number of superstars to have learned their time is up today.

Angle, 51, who retired at WrestleMania last year, is the biggest name so far, but many talents leaving the American promotion are still in the prime of their careers.

They include former U.S. Champion Rusev, ex-Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder, and Britain's own Drake Maverick, a six-time 24/7 Champion.

Figures including Mike Chioda - the longest-tenured referee in WWE history, who worked for the company since 1989 - have also been let go.

WWE hosted WrestleMania 36 behind closed doors earlier this month and has been doing the same with weekly episodes of Raw and SmackDown.

WWE missed out on an estimated £18m from its flagship pay-per-view, which outside of its Saudi Arabian shows, generates more money for the company than any other annual event.

Vince McMahon announced plans to furlough staff and reduce spending today, stating these were hard decisions made because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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A WWE statement read: "WWE has come to terms on the release of Kurt Angle, Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev), Drake Maverick (James Curtin), Zack Ryder (Matthew Cardona), Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers), Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra), Luke Gallows (Drew Hankinson), Heath Slater (Heath Miller), Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz), Rowan (Joseph Ruud), Sarah Logan (Sarah Rowe), No Way Jose (Levis Valenzuela), Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis (Mike Bennett), Maria Kanellis, EC3 (Michael Hutter), Aiden English (Matthew Rehwoldt), Lio Rush (Lionel Green), Primo (Edwin Colon) and Epico (Orlando Colon Nieves).

"We wish them all the best in their future endeavors."