Ex-WWE Universal Champion Semi-Retired From Wrestling

A former WWE Universal Champion has confirmed that their wrestling days might well be behind them.

Braun Strowman was released by WWE for the second time in May 2025 as part of another block of mass releases that hit the roster.

During his first run in the company, Strowman found his biggest success when he claimed the WWE Universal Championship from Goldberg at WrestleMania 36. Strowman lost the gold at SummerSlam 2020 when he was defeated by his former partner, Bray Wyatt.

Unlike after his first release, Strowman hasn’t been looking to continue his wrestling career outside of WWE, and it seems that might not change.

Braun Strowman Semi-Retired After WWE Exit

Speaking with Collider, Braun Strowman discussed filming Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon and working with the extras on that movie, all of whom were pro wrestlers when he said:

Even like in our business too, like the wrestling side of things – I say ‘our business,’ I’m semi-retired from wrestling now too because I want to be an actor – but I always have so much admiration for these young and up-and-coming talents that are looking for a shoe in, a place to get in by putting their bodies (on the line), going the extra mile, being the first one to raise their hand, not even knowing what I’m going to do to their poor soul and just going ‘I’ll volunteer for it.’

I was that kid at one point, I was the one going, ‘I’ll do it, eat that, go here.’ That’s what gave me the opportunity to get to where I am in life.

Recently, Braun Strowman shared a post on his Instagram story that featured an X-ray of his hand. He then followed it up with a post on his Instagram feed, revealing that he broke his fifth metatarsal bone while trying to separate his dogs during a fight.

He also explained that the injury required surgery, which he was scheduled to have soon. Strowman expressed frustration as the injury interfered with his plans, including deer hunting.

Alright, so a lot of people wondering what happened. Unfortunately, my dogs got in a fight two days ago and while trying to break them up I got twisted up in the collar and broke the end of my fifth metatarsal off. I have broken that bone probably five to six times throughout my life, so it’s very brittle and stuff in there. And this time it broke completely off so tomorrow morning, I’m going to see a specialist, because I have to have surgery. Lucky me. This put a dampering in my deer hunting.