10 Most Shocking WWE Releases Ever

10. Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman was the headline name amongst yet another string of WWE talent cuts in 2021, chiefly on account of the fact that he got his pink slip just weeks removed from co-headlining WrestleMania Backlash for the WWE Championship and working a long feud with Shane McMahon ahead of a cage match on the 'Show Of Shows' itself.

Reports quickly emerged that a huge deal Strowman had signed in 2019 may have been the primary motivation - as with most recent releases, "budget cuts" was given as the primary reason and 'The Monster Among Men' may have represented one of the bigger ones they could have made. Still, the ripple effect of his exit will be felt for weeks and months to come; WWE aren't just producing television that feels meaningless in the moment, they're now publicly acknowledging that the superstars themselves can be held in similarly low regard.

Strowman wasn't just in major programmes this year, but massive ones last year too. He was a surrogate for Roman Reigns over the company's Performance Center summer, winning the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 and carrying it until SummerSlam where 'The Tribal Chief' made his shocking return.

That somebody who was plugged in at that level could be booted out just a year later will doubtlessly serve as a reminder (if one was even needed) to the rest of the roster than nobody is safe.