Who Was Fired From WWE?

Who Was Fired From WWE?: A Comprehensive List

We’re taking a look at all the Superstars who have been let go by WWE over the years.

WWE Firing History

WWE is a publicly traded company and is required by law to release all information about anyone who is fired from the company. However, they do not always do this in a timely manner. This article will discuss some of the most recent firings from WWE.

1990s

The following is a list of names of people who were fired by WWE. It should be noted that this is not a comprehensive list, as WWE does not always publicly announce when someone is fired. This list only includes those who have been confirmed to have been fired by WWE.

-Bret Hart (1997)
-Sunny (1998)
-Mosaic (1999)

2000s

In the early 2000s, WWE had a lot of employees come and go. Here are some of the most notable firings from that era:

-Mabel (Nonsense) was released in 2000 after being with the company for 3 years.
-Brock Lesnar (No longer wanted to be a pro wrestler) quit in 2004 and was then rehired in 2012.
-Mr. Kennedy (Injury Prone) was released in 2009 after being with the company for 5 years.
– Jeff Hardy (drug problems) was released in 2009 but then rehired in 2018.

2010s

2011
-Hornswoggle
In May 2011, it was reported that WWE had released long-time cruiserweight performer Hornswoggle. His last match with WWE came in March 2011, when he was part of a Battle Royal on an episode of Raw. He had been with the company since 2006.

2012
-John Morrison
In December 2012, John Morrison was released from WWE after being with the company for seven years. Morrison’s final match came at a house show in Europe, where he lost to Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett.

2013
-Brodus Clay
In June 2013, Brodus Clay was released from WWE. He had been with the company since 2010 and was best known for his time as a part of the tag team The Funkadactyls with Naomi.

2014
-Rusev
In May 2014, Rusev was released from WWE. He had been with the company since 2011 and was best known for his time as United States Champion.

Notable WWE Firings

Over the years, WWE has let go of many superstars. Sometimes it’s due to backstage issues, other times it’s because their contract has expired. Whatever the reason may be, WWE has a long history of firing superstars. Here are some of the most notable WWE firings.

Jeff Hardy

In April 2003, WWE released Jeff Hardy due to drug and behavioral issues. Hardy has admitted that he was addicted to both painkillers and sleeping pills at the time. He has also said that he was going through personal problems and didn’t show up to work on several occasions.

CM Punk

CM Punk, real name Phil Brooks, was a household name in WWE for almost a decade. He was one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster and was adored by fans for his rebellious attitude and in-ring prowess. In January 2014, however, Punk shocked the wrestling world by quitting WWE suddenly. He has since said that he was unhappy with the creative direction of his character and the company as a whole. Punk has not returned to WWE since his departure, although there have been rumors that he may come back someday.

Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore, whose real name is Eric Arndt, was a superstar in WWE’s Cruiserweight division. He was drafted to Monday Night Raw in the 2016 brand extension draft. Amore was released from WWE on January 22, 2018, amid sexual assault allegations.

Why WWE Fires Superstars

The WWE is a company that is always looking to improve its product. In order to do that, they sometimes have to make some tough decisions. One of those decisions is firing a superstar. While it may seem like a heartless thing to do, there are actually a lot of reasons why WWE fires superstars.

Poor Performance

There are a variety of reasons why WWE might let a superstar go. Poor performance is one of the most common reasons. If a superstar consistently fails to deliver in the ring or on the mic, WWE may determine that it’s time to move on. Additionally, if a superstar is injured frequently and unable to compete, WWE may also decide to terminate their contract.

Backstage Issues

Superstars are occasionally fired from WWE due to backstage issues. While the company is often tight-lipped about the reasons for terminations, there have been a few high-profile cases whereSuperstars have been let go due to personal problems or backstage heat.

In 2007, WWE released Hardcore Holly after he was accused of bullying rookie Miz. Miz claimed that Holly had made fun of his weight and would often force him to do extra work during matches.

In 2008, WWE released Jeff Hardy after he failed a drug test for the second time. Hardy had been battling addiction issues for many years and had several run-ins with the law due to his substance abuse.

In 2010, WWE released CM Punk due to backstage heat. Punk was reportedly upset with his position in the company and had vocally expressed his frustration with WWE management.

Low Ratings

When WWE ratings start to slip, WWE brass often looks to shake things up by firing some of their Superstars. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is particularly notorious for making quick decisions when it comes to firing WWE Superstars, as he has shown on multiple occasions that he is not afraid to pull the trigger and let someone go, even if it means leaving a gaping hole in his roster.

One of the most recent examples of this was the mass firing of several top WWE Superstars in April 2020. This included fan favorites such as Braun Strowman, Becky Lynch, and Alexa Bliss, among others. While some fans were surprised by the decision, it was likely made in an effort to cut costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s also worth noting that many WWE Superstars have been fired due to backstage politics. For example, CM Punk left WWE in early 2014 after he grew frustrated with his position in the company and felt that he was not being used properly. Punk was one of the top names on the roster at the time, and his departure left a big hole in WWE’s lineup.

Sometimes, Superstars are simply fired because their character is no longer working or because they are not connecting with the audience. No matter the reason, getting fired from WWE is never an easy pill to swallow.