WWE confirmed the release of a number of talents today.
Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott, and Santana Garrett have been released by the company. The company issued a brief statement confirming these releases:
Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, and other Superstars released
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.
Strowman (real name Adam Sherr) was signed by WWE in 2013. He debuted in August 2015 as a member of the Wyatt Family in a black sheep mask. Strowman would soon break away from the group and embark on a singles career that saw him get a big push starting in 2016. Strowman would be involved in a high-profile feud against Roman Reigns and was near the main event scene throughout.
Strowman would win the WWE Universal Championship from Goldberg at WrestleMania 36, replacing Roman Reigns in that match. Reigns had opted out of performing at WrestleMania 36 in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic being in the early stages. Strowman would feud with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt throughout his title run before losing the title to him at last year’s SummerSlam event.
During the 2020 WWE Draft, Strowman was moved to WWE Raw. Strowman would feud with Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre. His last match was in the main event of WrestleMania Backlash, being pinned by Lashley in a WWE Championship triple threat match.
Aleister Black was in the midst of a repackaging on Friday Night SmackDown, being featured in a number of vignettes to debut a newer form of his character. According to Black (real name Tom Budgen), this release came out of “complete left field.” Black thanked the WWE Universe for allowing him to create.
“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.”
Lana, the wife of AEW’s Miro, was in a tag team with Naomi on WWE Raw, appearing this past Monday on the show. She was featured throughout the fall of 2020 in a feud with Nia Jax.
Murphy was a featured member of Seth Rollins’ stable on WWE Raw and a key character in the Rollins/Rey Mysterio feud. After that feud fizzled away, Murphy was not used much. He last appeared on the SmackDown before WrestleMania.
Ruby Riott was featured in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match this past Friday, teaming with Liv Morgan in a losing effort against champions Natalya and Tamina.
Santana Garrett was signed in 2019 and last appeared in the Women’s Royal Rumble. PWInsider reports that she was slated to debut this past Friday on SmackDown, but instead, she has been released.
We will have more on this story as it develops.
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
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