In yet another one of its sordid attempts to cut down budgets, WWE has released Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Ruby Riott, Buddy Murphy, and NXT’s Santana Garrett.
While all of these superstars were at the top of their game, Strowman’s release has hit fans hard. He was part of the WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view in the Triple Threat with Drew McIntyre and WWE Champion Bobby Lashley in May and has been one of the top faces of the company since the last two pandemic years.
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
Booker T Explains Why Braun Strowman Was Released By WWE
“Yeah, it definitely made me go, ‘Wow!,’ you know, ‘Braun Strowman?’ exclaimed six-time World Champion Booker T in the latest Hall of Fame podcast. He believed that when seen from a business perspective, this decision was justified if Strowman indeed had a huge contract by virtue of which he was reportedly earning more than $1 million a year.
“When doing budget cuts, that’s the one thing you’re going to be thinking of – ‘Who do we really need? Who’s the guy we really need here to keep this thing running?'” he said.
King Booker then went to describe how pro-wrestling has changed over the years. “Look at Braun Strowman, even being the enigma that he was, it was kind of hard to match Braun Strowman up with more than 2-3 guys on the roster.” According to him, companies now prefer smaller, more athletic superstars, who can match up to the mainstream roster’s strength, instead of undefeatable giants like Strowman.
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It is quite disheartening to see a talented athlete like Strowman go, just because WWE had no match for him.
What a chapter in life. Thank you!!!!!
— Braun Strowman (@BraunStrowman) June 2, 2021
The Monster Among Men debuted in 2013 and went to become a one-time Universal Champion and Intercontinental Champion, a two-time RAW Tag Team Champion, the 2019 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner, the Greatest Royal Rumble winner, and the 2018 Men’s Money In the Bank winner.
The entire wrestling world has displayed its dismay at this new development. Renee Young called it ‘a horrible mismanagement of some really talented people.’ Even Alexa Bliss, who has pulled off some very interesting segments with Strowman in the past, was heartbroken to see him go.
What a horrible mismanagement of some really talented people. Sucks.
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) June 2, 2021