How WWE Failed EVERY Wrestler Released In 2021

Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, and other casualties of the creatively bankrupt WWE system.

by Andy H Murray
Braun Strowman
WWE

WWE's year of bloodshed continued on Wednesday, as the company served six new names their walking papers in its latest round of talent releases.

Former Universal Champion Braun Strowman and Aleister Black, who held the NXT Championship for over 100 days in 2018, led the latest batch. They joined a hyper-talented group that already included Andrade, Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, Mickie James and many more in becoming free agents, as WWE brought its list of cut wrestlers to 27 for the year. Depressingly, this may not be the last of them.

These people are casualties. What of? "Budget cuts," apparently. This was the reason cited for April's first round of releases, then May's, with Aleister Black claiming he was given the same explanation this week. Largely as a result of this, speculation is now rife that WWE is making these cuts to maximise profits ahead of a potential sale, though this could be seen as cynical theorising.

Whatever may or may not be happening behind Vince McMahon and Nick Khan's closed office doors, one universal truth binds every recent release together. Not one of these individuals was allowed to perform to the fullest of their capabilities while in the world's biggest wrestling promotion.

Let's talk about how WWE failed every* wrestler cut from its roster this year.

* Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan and Drake Wuertz aside.

CONT'd...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.