Braun Strowman has added another layer to the ongoing conversation about a potential feud with Oba Femi, responding to a fan’s suggestion with a joke about WWE’s ability to meet his price.
The exchange unfolded in the comments section of a gym video Strowman posted on Instagram. A fan urged WWE to book a program between the two immediately, writing “We need a storyline with you and OBA stat!!!!!!” Strowman replied directly with a line that was short, pointed, and deliberately about how much truth it contained.
“They can’t afford me lol.”
Strowman has been publicly bullish about Femi in recent months, previously claiming he would squash the undefeated star faster than Goldberg. Femi has continued building momentum since his stunning victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 Night Two in Las Vegas. Reports indicate WWE plans to place him in a program with Roman Reigns as part of the World Heavyweight Championship picture, with Lesnar’s win having established the credibility needed to make that matchup viable.
Strowman has not wrestled since leaving WWE in the summer of 2025 and has described himself as semi-retired from professional wrestling. He remains connected to the company through Everything on the Menu, a cooking show produced by WWE Studios that is set to return for its second season on USA Network on June 5, taking over the 10 p.m. slot currently occupied by SmackDown’s third hour.
Whether his comment about WWE’s budget reflects genuine contract frustration, a negotiating position being played out publicly, or simply a quick joke at his former employer’s expense is impossible to determine. Either way, the idea of Strowman and Femi sharing a program has captured fan imagination, and Strowman is clearly aware of that.
Braun Strowman has put an end to questions about a potential return to the WWE ring, at least for the foreseeable future, delivering one of the more colorful responses to fan speculation in recent memory.
Strowman addressed the ongoing questions directly on X, making clear that a financial incentive would be required before he laces up his boots again, while simultaneously promoting the upcoming premiere of his television show.
“For everyone asking when I’m getting back in the ring. When a dump truck of gold blocks get dumped on my porch!!!! Otherwise I’ll see ya Jun 5th at 10pm for season two of Everything On The Menu!”
Strowman was part of WWE’s roster cuts in May 2025, with his last match taking place on the April 18, 2025 episode of SmackDown. He had previously described himself as semi-retired from professional wrestling as he turned his attention toward acting and television. He reiterated in October that he was taking a break from the ring, and his latest post suggests that position has not changed.
The June 5 premiere date for Everything On The Menu Season 2 also connects to a broader programming shift. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that SmackDown is expected to revert to a two-hour format, with Bodyslam suggesting the switch could happen within the next few weeks. The timing aligns with Strowman’s cooking show returning to the 10 p.m. slot on USA Network that the third hour of SmackDown currently occupies.
Everything On The Menu debuted its first season on USA Network last year during a period when Strowman was no longer under WWE contract. The show focuses on food and restaurant visits, a direction that reflects the broader pivot Strowman has been making away from professional wrestling as his primary career.
Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman is returning for a second season on USA Network, premiering Friday, June 5 at 11:00 PM ET/PT following WWE SmackDown.
USA Network announced the premiere date on Wednesday, confirming 12 new episodes across 12 cities with an expanded roster of celebrity guests.
Guest Lineup and Cities
Season two will feature guests including comedians Bert Kreischer and Sal Vulcano, Grammy Award winners T.I. and Killer Mike, WWE Legend Mark Henry, and WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss.
The guest list also includes NFL Super Bowl champion Landon Dickerson, NASCAR Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., two-time WNBA champion Renee Montgomery, and Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.
Strowman will eat his way through Seattle, Detroit, Austin, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston, Bristol, and Nashville.
A Breakout First Season
The return comes after a strong debut run. Season one ranked as the number one show across all of cable entertainment in its time slot in the 18-49 demo and was one of cable television’s highest-rated new entertainment shows of the year.
The series is produced by WWE and Bright North Studios, with Paul Levesque, Lee Fitting, Marc Pomarico, and Ben Houser executive producing for WWE. It is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Braun Strowman might be headed back to the wrestling ring.
A fan recently asked the Monster Among Men about his potential return to the squared circle on X. The former Universal Champion noted that he is pretty busy with non-wrestling projects at the moment but teased that he has an in-ring return in works for the summer:
“Maybe this summer. I’m mid filming season two of everything on the menu now and have a few other projects. So will see.”
Maybe this summer. I’m mid filming season two of everything on the menu now and have a few other projects. So will see.
— The Monster of all Monsters (@Adamscherr99) March 18, 2026
Braun Strowman has not wrestled a match since April last year. His last wrestling encounter was a tag team bout with LA Knight, where the duo defeated Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa on SmackDown.
Though he has kept busy after his official WWE departure in July 2025, with his most prominent project being the USA Network show Everything on the Menu. The series was renewed for a second season after a successful debut in October.
There is no word on which company Strowman will choose to make his return, but he had competed for promotions such as CYN and ROH after the end of his first WWE run in 2021.
Former WWE superstar Adam Scherr, best known as Braun Strowman, made an appearance at E! Entertainment’s Brunch at the Oscars on Sunday, ahead of the 98th Annual Academy Awards.
Dressed in a green blazer and wide-brim cowboy hat, Scherr shared his excitement on social media, posting that he was having a great time with E! Entertainment at the Oscars brunch.
— The Monster of all Monsters (@Adamscherr99) March 15, 2026
He was featured in a Best Picture cocktail tasting segment during the E! pre-show, hosted by Justin Sylvester and Keltie Knight. The appearance was teased on E!’s Instagram live as a “surprise visit” from the WWE legend.
Earlier this month, Scherr also announced the launch of Meat Castle Media, a new production company formed in partnership with Magilla Entertainment. The venture will develop unscripted series, podcasts, and a new show called Hands On.
The former Universal Champion had to make an emergency trip to the hospital earlier this week due to a knee infection he said \’came out of nowhere.\’ The Monster Among Men has been providing regular updates on his health since then on social and in the latest post on Thursday, he confirmed that he underwent surgery.
The former WWE star first provided some details about the issue he was facing. Braun Strowman then noted that he will have to stay in the hospital for one more night before he can go home:
\”Alright guys and girls back again. Day 4. So just had surgery. It\’s gonna be a couple of days still. Taking it easy. I think I gotta stay in here one more night then I get to go home and then yeah recovery. Still got a ways to go get over this hump all the way with the infection and stuff but the pain is finally starting to subside so it doesn\’t feel like my kneecap is going to explode off anymore.\”
Strowman did not provide a recovery timeline but it\’s likely that he will have to take atleast a few weeks off from his regular activities. The former champion has been focusing on other projects instead of wrestling since his WWE release and he hasn\’t had a match since April last year. So the good news for Braun is that he doesn\’t has to rush to recovery.
\”Well spent the night in the hospital with an infection that came out of nowhere in my right knee,\” Strowman wrote. \”So I could use some prayers and well wishes.\”
Recent Health Issues for Strowman
This is the second health setback for Strowman in recent weeks. On January 14, he was involved in a car accident that left him with a sore neck.
Despite the string of bad luck, Strowman remains positive, adding hashtags like \”#IGotThis\” to his post.
What Has Strowman Been Up To?
Since departing WWE in May 2025, Strowman has found success outside the ring with his culinary travel series Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman on USA Network. The show, which premiered in October 2025, quickly became one of cable television\’s highest-rated new programs in the 18-49 demographic.
Earlier this month, USA Network renewed the series for a second season, ordering 12 new episodes—a 50% increase from the first season\’s eight-episode run.
Here\’s your Wrestling News Briefing for Wednesday, January 22, 2026, covering the biggest stories from WWE, AEW, and the world of professional wrestling.
Tommaso Ciampa Confirms WWE Departure, Files New Trademarks
Tommaso Ciampa has officially announced that he will be departing WWE in the \”very near future.\” The former NXT Champion confirmed the news on Wednesday, ending his second run with the company.
Ciampa isn\’t wasting any time preparing for life after WWE. On the same day he announced his departure, he filed two new trademarks with the USPTO: \”Psycho Killer\” and \”Psycho King.\”
Both filings cover entertainment services including wrestling exhibitions, merchandise, and media appearances—suggesting these could be ring names or branded personas he\’ll use on the independent scene.
The 40-year-old Ciampa first joined WWE\’s developmental system in 2015 and became one of NXT\’s most beloved performers during the black and gold era. His departure marks another significant roster change as WWE continues to reshape its talent pool.
Fans who purchased tickets for the Arlington event will receive refunds. The decision was made to ensure the safety of talent, crew, and fans as severe weather conditions are expected to impact the Dallas-Fort Worth area through the weekend. AEW has not yet announced rescheduling plans for a future Arlington date.
Bishop Dyer Makes AEW Debut in Pre-Show Match
Former WWE star Baron Corbin, now going by Bishop Dyer, worked his first match in an AEW ring Wednesday night. Dyer competed in an eight-man tag match taped before Dynamite in Orlando, teaming with Martin Stone and Better Together against Billy Gunn, Austin Gunn, Brady Booker, and Elijah Drago.
Scoop #3: Bishop Dyer, Martin Stone, & Better Together vs Billy Gunn, Austin Gunn, Brady Booker, & Elijah Drago in a Bonus Match pic.twitter.com/uqirUfSgW9
Dyer was released by WWE in November 2024 and has since been working for MLW. His appearance in AEW adds to the growing list of former WWE talent appearing with Tony Khan\’s promotion. It remains unclear whether this was a one-time booking or if Dyer will become a regular presence in AEW.
Bobby Duncum Sr. Passes Away at 81
The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Bobby Duncum Sr., who passed away at the age of 81. WWE issued a statement acknowledging the legendary performer who competed across multiple territories during the territorial era.
Duncum transitioned from a professional football career to wrestling and became a fixture in promotions throughout Texas, the Mid-South, and eventually the WWF. He was the father of Bobby Duncum Jr., who also had a career in professional wrestling before his untimely passing in 2000.
Netflix Releases WWE Viewing Data for Second Half of 2025
Netflix has published its biannual \”What We Watched\” report, revealing viewing data for WWE content on the streaming platform from July through December 2025. The data includes metrics for premium live events, SmackDown, and NXT programming that aired on the platform during that period.
Wrestlenomics\’ Brandon Thurston provides detailed analysis of the figures, which will offer insights into how WWE content has performed since the landmark Netflix deal began earlier this year.
Motor City Machine Guns on AAA: The WWE tag team champions will appear on this weekend\’s Lucha Libre AAA on FOX Latin America, continuing WWE\’s cross-promotional relationship with its recently acquired Mexican promotion.
WWE Files \”Royce Keys\” Trademark: WWE submitted a trademark application for \”Royce Keys\” on January 20, believed to be a potential ring name for an incoming talent. Speculation has linked the name to former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs, whose contract recently expired.
R-Truth Defends WWE Unreal: The former 24/7 Champion responded to criticism that Netflix\’s WWE docuseries \”exposes the business,\” defending the show\’s behind-the-scenes approach and storytelling.
Roman Reigns Shares Street Fighter Photos: The Tribal Chief posted new behind-the-scenes images from the upcoming Street Fighter film, where he plays villain Akuma. The movie is set to hit theaters in October 2026.
Seth Rollins on Injury Recovery: In an interview with Men\’s Health, Rollins described his current shoulder rehabilitation as \”awful\” and \”way worse\” than previous knee injuries, but remains hopeful to return by WrestleMania 42.
Marc Mero Reveals $71 Royalty Check: The former Intercontinental Champion shared his 2019 WWE royalty statement showing just $71.47 in payments despite $39,590 in content revenue, highlighting ongoing concerns about legacy talent compensation.
I’ve been asked many times what wrestlers actually make in royalties from the WWE, so let me give you a real example.
I left the WWE years ago, and more than 20 years later, in 2019, I came across an old royalty statement. When you look at how much money many wrestlers help… pic.twitter.com/AKy5330YXv
USA Network has renewed \”Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman\” for a second season, ordering 12 new episodes following the show\’s successful debut last fall.
The culinary travel series, which premiered in October 2025, quickly became one of cable television\’s highest-rated new shows of 2025 in the 18-49 demographic. The show also ranked as the #1 entertainment program across all of cable in its regular time slot and was the ninth most popular new cable show of 2025 according to Nielsen.
The Season 2 order represents a 50% increase from the first season\’s eight episodes, which saw former WWE star Adam Scherr visit eight cities including Fort Worth, Washington D.C., Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago, Milwaukee, New Orleans, and Tampa.
\”Adam, aka Braun Strowman, has won the hearts and inspired the tastebuds of our audiences with Everything on the Menu,\” said Val Boreland, President of Entertainment at VERSANT. \”I\’m hoping for a dinner invite in season 2 so I can experience his culinary genius firsthand.\”
Scherr, who departed WWE in May 2025 after winning the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, reflected on the show\’s impact: \”I\’ve been so blessed to perform in front of massive crowds over the years, but getting the chance to travel the country, sit with people at their tables, hear their stories, and taste the meals that mean the most to them has been life changing.\”
The series is produced by WWE and Bright North Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Braun Strowman has delivered a scathing critique of WWE\’s backstage culture, revealing that a loss of respect among talent was one of the things that bothered him most during his time with the company.
Speaking candidly on Something\’s Burning with Bert Kreischer, the former Universal Champion discussed the changing dynamics in WWE locker rooms and the challenges of being an outsider in a business dominated by wrestling families.
\”What chapped my ass on my way out of the business was how much of the respect was lost,\” Strowman said. \”Roman Reigns and I going out there 45 minutes doing a street fight and coming back and there\’s nobody in the gorilla and they\’re already in their hotels in the next town. They paid to see us. You couldn\’t even stay around to watch our stuff.\”
Strowman contrasted this with the old school mentality that once ruled WWE locker rooms, where missing the main event would result in consequences from respected veterans.
The former Monster Among Men also addressed the challenge of navigating wrestling\’s political landscape as someone who didn\’t come from a wrestling family or work the independent circuit.
\”Coming in, not born into the business, didn\’t come through the indies. I was an outsider. I was hated,\” Strowman revealed. \”Everyone was like, \’This big guy.\’… I\’m sleeping in my car. I\’m traveling around the world. I was North America\’s strongest man in 2011.\”
When it comes to wrestling\’s biggest obstacle, Strowman didn\’t mince words about what holds many talented performers back.
\”The hardest opponent in wrestling is nepotism, but that\’s in any business,\” he stated. \”It\’s like this mafia fraternity, very inner circled thing… navigating those waters.\”
Despite the challenges, Strowman credited WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry with giving him crucial advice for surviving in the business. \”God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen twice as much as you talk,\” Strowman recalled Henry telling him.
Strowman was released from WWE in May 2025. Since his departure, he has been vocal on social media about his feelings toward his former employer, previously accusing the company of prioritizing \”nepotism\” and \”ass-kissers\” over fans.
The former Universal Champion now hosts Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman on USA Network. The fun, appetite-driven travel series airs after SmackDown and follows Strowman as he embraces his \”Monster Among Men\” persona by visiting local eateries across the country and literally ordering one of everything.
Braun Strowman has shared wild stories about his battles with Brock Lesnar, revealed his struggles with panic attacks from sudden fame, and detailed the extreme diet that fueled his strongman career.
Appearing on Something\’s Burning with Bert Kreischer, the former Universal Champion gave fans a rare glimpse into what life is really like as one of the largest athletes in sports entertainment history.
When discussing who the strongest person in wrestling is, Strowman revealed he\’s had physical confrontations with Brock Lesnar—and lived to tell the tale.
\”When people ask wrestlers like who\’s a strong guy? They all go, \’Oh man, Brock.\’ Brock and I got into it a couple times pretty good,\” Strowman said. \”I\’m the only human being to take a right hand from him and not go to sleep.\”
The Stress of Fame
Strowman also opened up about the mental health challenges that came with his rapid rise to fame. Going from a small-town mechanic to appearing on television in front of millions took a serious toll.
\”I dealt with a lot of that… from the town mechanic to a couple years later, I\’m on television on WWE in front of four million people every week,\” he explained. \”I had panic attack meltdowns in public before with getting bombarded with people.\”
The 6\’8\” giant explained an unusual reason for having security with him.
\”I don\’t have security to protect me. I have security to protect people from me,\” Strowman admitted.
Strongman Competitions
When the conversation turned to his strongman days, Strowman revealed the absolutely insane diet required to compete at the highest level of strength athletics.
\”When I was competing at World\’s Strongest Man, I would have two alarms every night set to wake up and eat throughout the night,\” he said. \”I was consuming 17,000 to 20,000 calories a day.\”
His pre-workout routine before deadlift sessions was equally extreme.
\”On the way to the gym, I would stop and get five double cheeseburgers from Burger King and a 2-liter of Coke and I would drink the whole 2 liter, eat five double cheeseburgers, and then sit around at the gym for like an hour and then train because I would burn four to 5,000 calories in that workout.\”
His Daily Food Intake
Even today, Strowman\’s diet remains impressive.
\”Right now I\’m eating around six pounds of chicken and probably 12 to 16 cups of rice. I eat a bag of spinach a day. I do a dozen eggs every day,\” he revealed. \”Every two and a half to three hours I\’m eating.\”
His TV Show
Strowman currently hosts Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman on USA Network following his release from WWE in May 2025. The appetite-driven travel series airs after SmackDown and features the \”Monster Among Men\” exploring culinary hotspots across various cities, tackling massive feasts and learning from local chefs.
