WWE has announced the release of some of its biggest stars of the past five years in a surprising sweep. Originally revealed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and then officially confirmed by WWE, the names on the release sheet come as a shock: Aleister Black, Brawn Strowman, Ruby Riott, Lana, Buddy Murphy, and Santana Garrett.

　　WWE has come to terms on the releases of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Murphy, Ruby Riott and Santana Garrett.

　　WWE wishes them the best in all of their future endeavors. https://t.co/8bAQIFgA1M pic.twitter.com/b77AeeLuDn

　　— WWE (@WWE) June 2, 2021

　　Black and Strowman are considered the biggest surprises to have been released, given the fact that Strowman was Universal Champion just last year and found himself back in the title picture in recent weeks. Black was just repackaged on Smackdown coming back from injury as the "Darkfather."

　　Lana might be more of a given due to her husband, current AEW TNT Champion Miro, making waves down in Florida, and the two work well together. Murphy had been sort of shuffling along and Ruby Riott was just getting started again.

　　This is the second release wave of the year. Following Wrestlemania in April, Samoa Joe, the IIconics, and Mickie James were released, but this wave here is still really surprising.

　　It's unclear if more releases are coming, but with the company going back on the road after more than a year, company expenses might rise and cost-cutting efforts could go into effect.