WWE Superstar Braun Strowman Was Released For Two Major Reasons: Report

Newsweek

09-05-2025

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Additional details have surfaced concerning the recent WWE release of former Universal Champion Braun Strowman, shedding more light on the company's decision. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Strowman's departure on May 2, 2025, was influenced by more than just general budget considerations.
Meltzer stated that specific circumstances were pivotal for Strowman, who was among several talents released by WWE in early May. The report points to a combination of his substantial contract and ongoing concerns about his physical condition following significant injuries.
There were other reasons in play as well as Meltzer pointed out that Strowman's release was said to be a combination of his high salary and injuries. The newsletter elaborated on how injuries reportedly impacted his in-ring performance.
It pointed out how he had not been moving well in the ring since coming back from a major hamstring injury, and one person there noted that he was hurt worse than people realized.
Strowman first signed with WWE in 2013, debuting on the main roster in August 2015. He was introduced as "The Black Sheep," a monstrous new member of The Wyatt Family.
Braun Strowman looks at his old black sheep mask
Braun Strowman looks at his old black sheep mask
WWE
After the 2016 WWE Draft, Strowman was separated from The Wyatt Family and began a dominant run as a singles competitor on Raw. Dubbed "The Monster Among Men," he quickly became known for his incredible feats of strength and a destructive path through the roster.
His early singles career featured memorable, hard-hitting feuds with top stars like Roman Reigns, Kane, and The Big Show. These rivalries often included spectacular moments, such as Strowman flipping an ambulance with Reigns inside.
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Strowman achieved significant championship success, including an Intercontinental Championship reign and two reigns as Raw Tag Team Champion. One of his tag title wins was a unique WrestleMania 34 moment where he picked a young fan, Nicholas, as his partner.
His crowning achievement came at WrestleMania 36, where he defeated Goldberg to capture the Universal Championship. Despite this success, Strowman was first released by WWE in June 2021 amidst company budget cuts.
He made a highly anticipated return to WWE in September 2022. However, his second stint with the company was unfortunately marked by significant injuries, including requiring neck fusion surgery in mid-2023 and the aforementioned major hamstring injury. There are many landing spots for the former WWE star whether that be NJPW, AEW, or TNA Wrestling. It's possible he does a bunch of independent dates.
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