WWE Releases Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana & MORE!
In yet another batch of WWE cuts, six talents have today been released!
Earlier today brought rumblings that even more WWE releases may be happening, and now comes news that six names have been let go by Vince McMahon’s sports entertainment juggernaut.
As reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, WWE has today released Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Ruby Riott, Lana, Santana Garrett and Buddy Murphy.
Fightful has learned the following WWE wrestlers have been released.
Advertisement- Braun Strowman- Aleister Black- Ruby Riott- Lana- Santana Garrett- Buddy Murphy
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 2, 2021
WWE has since moved to confirm these six releases.
WWE has come to terms on the releases of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott and Santana Garrett.
WWE wishes them the best in all of their future endeavors. https://t.co/8bAQIFgA1M pic.twitter.com/b77AeeLuDn
— WWE (@WWE) June 2, 2021
Those same early rumblings suggested that some major names may find themselves on the chopping block, and that has indeed proven true – with former Universal Champion Braun Strowman the name that likely grabs the most attention here.
Strowman seemed destined to be a WWE lifer, with his hulking frame and Monster Among Men act clearly ticking a whole lot of the right boxes for a talent Vince McMahon would want around for as long as possible.
It’s also surprising to see Aleister Black one of those released, for the one-time NXT Champion has only recently returned to WWE programming after nearly six months in the wilderness. Not to mention, there was speculation last month that Black’s real-life wife Zelina Vega was likely to be rehired by WWE.
Of course, even though losing your job is never a good thing, the important part to remember here is that the pro wrestling business exists beyond the walls of Titan Tower. All six names bring plenty to the table, and one has to imagine that none of them will be short of offers away from WWE.
This latest batch of releases follows main roster and NXT cuts across the last two months, and it remains to be seen whether more names will be added to these six talents over the coming hours and days.
As of yet, no reason has been given for this round of releases, but it seems logical to expect the same "budget cuts" reasoning as those previous sets of firings - all while WWE rakes in record revenue numbers.