WWE have released Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Ruby Riott, Santana Garrett, and Buddy Murphy. Smackdown Superstars were released during the cats. The reason cited was part of budget cuts, and Strowman was being paid $1.2 million per year according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The former WWE Universal Champion signed a new contract in October 2019, so the budget cut regarding Strowman is the WWE’s biggest saving financially from all of the talent cuts in the last year plus during the pandemic. Braun Strowman was fired by WWE for a very surprising reason as well.
Previously, more details regarding WWE’s decision to release Braun Strowman from his contract had been revealed. Braun Strowman’s contract definitely played a role in him getting fired. On top of that, Braun Strowman was viewed as an ‘obsolete’ WWE Superstar and ‘two years past his prime.
On this week’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, Reginald’s name was changed to “Reggie” and all references of his former Sommelier character were dropped for good. He admitted that “I’m not from France, I’m from St. Louis.” He also had no accent whatsoever. Reggie is finally able to be himself and he is certainly glad about that fact as well.
24/7 Champion Reggie informs the WWE Universe that he’s actually not French, he’s from St. Louis, and that the only reason he was speaking with that accent was because @CarmellaWWE asked him to. @ReginaldWWE pic.twitter.com/e4G3NY9OZQ
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) July 31, 2021
