10 Big WWE Returns That Could Happen In 2022
6. Braun Strowman
A cynic may look at Braun Strowman's 2 June 2021 WWE release, see "budget cuts" cited as the reason, read the reports on his apparent $1.2 million salary, consider his prospects in other, less-affluent promotions, and theorise that perhaps, the increasingly brutal Stamford money-saving machine would see this as a way to someday bring its former Universal Champion back on a less-lucrative deal.
This cynicism would be earned from a promotion that's impossible to trust on a human level.
Strowman is yet to sign for another promotion despite non-compete clause expiring months ago. Though linked with AEW and IMPACT, he hasn't pet pen to paper, and his ROH debut means little, contractually, as the promotion is now working exclusively with freelancers. It's therefore plausible that Braun could end up back in the company that cast him aside six months ago, without the million-dollar price tag.
An odd fit for AEW and an expensive gamble for IMPACT, who desperately need wrestlers with name value but may not be willing to splash the cash, WWE remains Braun's most natural home. If he stays in wrestling, a comeback may be on the cards.