WWE continues to shockingly release wrestlers. Today, the company announced via Twitter that the following superstars were released:
- Aleister Black
- Braun Strowman
- Lana
- Ruby Riott
- Buddy Murphy
- Santana Garrett
The most surprising releases have to be Black and Strowman. Black has been back on WWE television in recent weeks. He was building towards a new dark character, and even cost Big E a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Black signed with the company in 2016, and had been on the main roster since 2019. Before that he was known as Tommy End on the independent scene.
Strowman represented one of WWE’s best jobs developing a superstar from within their system. He was a professional strongman before joining WWE in 2013. Strowman won his first and only Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 36.
Lana, Riott and Garrett are three more talented female wrestlers that WWE has let walk. The Ravishing Russian Lana had made great strides in the ring after debuting as a manager alongside now-husband Rusev (AEW’s Miro). Rumors will swirl that she will follow Miro to AEW.
Riott was better known as Heidi Lovelace before joining WWE in 2016. She made her debut on the main roster in 2017 as part of the Riott Squad. With her release, Liv Morgan is the only remaining Riott Squad member on the roster. Sarah Logan was released in April 2020.
Garrett was a long-time enhancement talent used by WWE who was signed to NXT in 2019. She has also wrestled for SHINE and TNA.
Murphy started in NXT in 2013, and would have his biggest role in NXT as tag team champions alongside Wesley Blake and Alexa Bliss. He was also a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and Tag Team Champion in WWE.
