WWE Announces Release Of Several Superstars

STAMFORD, CT — In a surprising announcement on Wednesday, WWE has come to terms with the release of several superstars.

"WWE has come to terms on the releases of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott and Santana Garrett," the WWE said in a statement. "WWE wishes them the best in all of their future endeavors."

There have been several such releases from WWE over the past year, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began and fans were not allowed in arenas. In April of 2020 following a substantial release of talent, WWE, which is headquartered in Stamford, released a statement in which they said the company "went through an extensive evaluation of its operations."

Before this latest announcement on Wednesday, WWE released Samoa Joe, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Tucker, Kalisto, Mojo Rawley, Bo Dallas and Wesley Blake two months ago. The company recently announced that fans will able to return to in-person events beginning this summer.

Strowman, real name Adam Scherr, is the highest profile name in the group. He signed with the company in 2013, and was part of "The Wyatt Family" before breaking out on his own in 2016.

During his time with WWE, Strowman was a one-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, two-time WWE Raw Tag Team Champion, and a one-time Universal Champion. He won that title by defeating Goldberg at Wrestlemania 36. Most recently, he competed in a Triple Threat match in the pay-per-view Wrestlemania Backlash with Drew McIntyre and WWE Champion Bobby Lashley last month.

Aleister Black, real name Tom Budgen, signed with WWE in 2016. He made his main roster debut in 2019 on Raw.

Black took to twitter following the news of his release

Im gathering my thoughts as this was a complete left field for me as obviously we just started the dark father character but this was it, thank you so much WWE universe for allowing me to create and give you small bits of myself.
— Tommy End (@WWEAleister) June 2, 2021

Lana (C.J. Perry), is the longest tenured talent in the group that was released Wednesday. She signed with WWE in 2013, and was recently part of a tag-team with Naomi. She's married to fellow pro-wrestler, Rusev, who was released from WWE last year.

Murphy (Matthew Adams) was a NXT Tag Team Champion, Cruiserweight Champion and Raw Tag Team champion. WWE did not feature him prominently after his storyline with Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins ended a few months ago.

Ruby Riott (Dori Prange) signed with WWE in 2016. She was a member of the "Riott Squad" with fellow wrestlers Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan from 2017 to 2019.

Santana Garrett primarily wrestled with NXT, WWE's training ground for talent. She appeared briefly with the main roster during this year's Women's Royal Rumble event.