Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler among WWE cuts in pre-SmackDown stunner
On Friday, WWE underwent its semi-regular spring cleaning, releasing some big names from the roster.
The company initiated a series of roster cuts that affected several main roster and NXT talents, marking the most eye-popping wave of releases so far this year — though it's not an uncommon occurrence shortly after WrestleMania, which concluded two weeks ago.
Among the most notable names let go from the main roster were mainstays Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler and Dakota Kai.
Additionally, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Cora Jade and all of Gallus, which includes Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang.
3 Braun Strowman has been released as part of the WWE's 'spring cleaning' cuts.
WWE via Getty Images
Strowman is far and away the biggest name being let go from the company.
His second run now comes to an end after he re-joined the WWE three years ago.
Strowman is a former Universal Champion and Intercontinental Champion who was once on a meteoric rise to seemingly becoming one of WWE's biggest stars.
Baszler, a former NXT Women's Champion and two-time Women's Tag Team Champion, had been active on both Raw and SmackDown in recent years.
3 Shayna Baszler is a former MMA fighter and two-time NXT Women's Champion.
WWE via Getty Images
While Baszler never rose to true stardom on the main roster as she did previously, she is most known for her run on NXT as one of the company's biggest stars in the women's division, and, to this day, the former mixed martial artist held the NXT Women's Title for the most days in company history.
'No one can offer what I have to offer. Reality. Let the Galaxy burn,' Baszler posted on X in response to her release.
3 Cora Jade, 24, was among the youngest wrestlers cut on Friday.
WWE via Getty Images
Kai was a member of Damage CTRL and was a tag team champion both on the main roster and in NXT.
Other names later surfaced, including Gigi Dolin, Oro Mensah and Riley Osborne of NXT.
Jade posted her email following news of her release, suggesting she'll be open for bookings.
Most released talent are subjected to a 90-day non-compete clause for main roster performers, and 30 days for NXT talent, as standard in WWE contracts.
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