4 WWE world champions released and 3 whose contracts expired since Brock Lesar's last match

#5 Braun Strowman - Released by WWE

Braun Strowman won the Universal Championship in WWE

A surprising WWE release last year was that of Braun Strowman. The Monster Among Men seemed to be a "Vince McMahon Guy" and had time and again spoken glowingly about his good relationship with the WWE Chairman.

However, Strowman was released by WWE in June of this year, just over a year after winning the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36. Reports following his departure had stated that his huge salary played a part in him being let go by WWE.

Strowman is still a free agent and hasn't signed with any company yet. He will, though, be in a match against another former WWE star, EC3, in a show billed "Free The Narrative II: The Monster In Us All."

Mark Henry, who recruited Strowman when he was in WWE, had earlier stated that AEW and Strowman were interested in making a deal happen.

In his eight-year run with WWE, Strowman won the Universal Championship once, while also winning the Intercontinental Championship, and RAW Tag Team title.