On Friday, WWE made headlines by releasing a wave of talent from both its main roster and developmental NXT brand. Among the most notable names let go were former Universal Champion Braun Strowman and former MMA fighter turned WWE star Shayna Baszler, according to several reports.
News of the roster shake-up began surfacing late Friday evening through a mix of reports from wrestling journalists and social media posts from the superstars themselves. While the specifics remain unclear—such as whether these exits were formal releases or a result of expiring contracts not being renewed—several key performers were confirmed to be parting ways with the company.
WWE Announces Full List Of Athlete Cuts
According to Sean Ross Sapp, a respected pro wrestling journalist, WWE released Strowman, Baszler, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Dakota Kai, and Gigi Dolin. Additionally, PW Insider reported that NXT performers Cora Jade and Jakara Jackson were also released, further signaling a broad internal shift.
Strowman, 41, stands out as the most prominent name on the list. Known for his dominant presence and powerful in-ring style, he recently competed on WWE SmackDown, where he lost to Jacob Fatu in a No. 1 contender match for the United States Championship just ahead of WrestleMania 41. This marks the end of Strowman’s second run with the company. He originally joined WWE in 2013 and became a mainstay on the roster before being released in 2021. His return in 2022 was met with fanfare, but his departure now suggests a new direction for WWE’s creative plans.
Shayna Baszler, 44, was another surprising name on the release list. Most recently, she appeared in a high-stakes gauntlet match, teaming with Zoey Stark in an effort to earn a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles held by Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez at WrestleMania 41. A former MMA fighter with an intimidating in-ring presence, Baszler had been a key player in WWE’s women’s division, known for her technical style and brutal submissions.
The cuts affected not only main roster talent but also up-and-coming stars in NXT, signaling a sweeping change across WWE’s talent pool. Whether these moves are purely budgetary or part of a larger creative overhaul remains to be seen.
As the wrestling world reacts to the sudden departures, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see where these talented performers land next—and what WWE’s evolving strategy might mean for its future programming.
