WWE Releases Top Superstars Including Former Universal Champion

WWE just made a surprising move by releasing six top Superstars including a former Universal Champion. The six Superstars who are no longer with WWE are Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott and Santana Garrett. This comes one month before WWE heads back on the road for live shows.

No reason was given by WWE for their releases, but if it's like the situation in April, it might have to do with budget cuts. The two most surprising cuts are Strowman and Black who were expected to do big things this year. Strowman won the Universal Championship last year and recently competed for the WWE title. He also won the Intercontinental Championship the Raw Tag Team Championship twice, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Black was just brought back on WWE television after taking some time off. He is married to Zelina Vega, who was released by WWE in November. It was reported she is returning to WWE but nothing has been made official. Lana is also a shock as she recently teamed up with Naomi to compete in the women's tag team division. She is married to former WWE Superstar Rusev who is now competing in AEW and goes by Miro. Lana has been with WWE since 2013 but has also done her share of film and TV work over the years.

Murphy has rarely been seen on TV this year. He was Seth Rollins' disciple last year but eventually feuded with him while starting a relationship angle with Rey Mysterio's daughter. He has been with WWE since 2013 and was engaged to WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss.

Riott made her WWE TV debut in 2017 as a member of the Riott Squad with Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. Riott was the leader of the group, but they split in 2019 after Superstar Shake-up and Logan was released in April 2020. Riott and Morgan have been a team since last summer and were competing for the Women's Tag Team Championship. Garrett signed with WWE in 2019 and was part of the NXT roster. She made her main roster debut in January when she competed in the 2021 Women's Royal Rumble in January. Garrett has also competed in TNA (now Impact Wrestling), Shine Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom among others.