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WWE sent a strong message against any form of discrimination when they chose to completely sever ties with undoubtedly their biggest ever star – Hulk Hogan. The move that shook the wrestling world came after a 2007 video brought to light by gossip website Gawker showed the wrestler making unacceptable racial slurs. The debate as to whether WWE made the right move in parting ways with the man who pretty much put them on the global map over an eight-year-old video will rage on amongst wrestling fans for ages, but Hogan isn’t alone. With that in mind let’s take a look at 5 times WWE were right in releasing talent.
#1 Kurt Angle
Was WWE right in releasing Kurt Angle, an Olympic medallist, a grappler with ridiculous talent, and a crowd favourite who forged an equally successful career with rival TNA? The answer is yes! Truth be told, WWE released Angle to save him from himself. The 46-year-old’s body was worse for wear back in 2006 and his heavy addiction to painkillers and dangerous steroids would have surely made him deteriorate further.
Angle quickly became more of a liability and was released by McMahon who stated “Kurt has some issues he has to face, as we all do from time to time. We all have our demons, and as human beings, it is important for us to overcome them and become better human beings, athletes and business people.”
It's good to see that Kurt Angle would eventually overcome his demons and make a triumphant return to WWE in 2017, first as part of the Hall Of Fame and then as the General Manager of RAW.
#2 MVP
Hassan Hamin Assad aka Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) had undoubted talent, unfortunately, that talent just wasn’t enough to elevate him to a WWE superstar. The wrestler’s gimmick of a free agent was great as was his run as the United States Champion, but continuously hit a brick wall when it came to capturing the world title which led him to become disillusioned.
Hassan’s unhappiness showed in his attitude backstage and was eventually released in 2010. Hassan was a huge fan of the Japanese form of wrestling ‘ puroresu’ and jumped at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s offer in 2011.
#3 Mr. Kennedy
Ken Anderson aka Mr Kennedy had some undoubted charm, but unfortunately, that was just about all he had, with his wrestling talent not half as good as his peers. The wrestler was always injury’s favourite child, which also prevented him from becoming a world champion as well as a knack for botched moves, the most notable being the botched backdrop on Randy Orton which caused Orton to land dangerously on his head and back.
Orton convinced John Cena to complain to Vince McMahon about Kennedy’s botched drop, which resulted in McMahon promptly releasing Kennedy from his contract. The move was fair as there’s no room for negligent wrestling in the franchise.
#4 Carlito
Carly Colon aka Carlito boasts of undoubted talent and even drew comparisons to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson due to him coming from a wrestling family much like the latter, but his career with the WWE ultimately fizzled out. Colon almost left the franchise in 2006 after growing dissatisfied with the way they handled him but was ultimately convinced to stay.
However, four years later he was shown the door for violating the WWE’s Wellness Policy after refusing to enter rehab to cure a painkiller addiction. WWE has never gone lightly on those who refuse rehab or some form of treatment and have released some big names in the past including one you’ll read about later.
#5 Mike Knox
Mike Hettinga aka Mike Knox had a rather successful run in WWE and enjoyed an entertaining feud with CM Punk. In his four year period with the franchise, Knox was a part of ECW, Raw, where he first sported his now trademark look consisting of long hair and a flowing beard as well as Smackdown. However, WWE had no compelling storylines for Knox and often used him just as a filler with no concrete storylines for months.
After deciding that they had no clue whatsoever about how to use him further, WWE released Knox from his contract in 2010 after which he was picked up by TNA with whom he remained until earlier this year.
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