In WWE nobody is safe from being fired. Whether it’s for real or just kayfabe, WWE has made something of a spectacle about their firings through the years.
While Vince has portrayed arguably the greatest on-screen boss in wrestling history, he isn’t the only one to fire people. Commissioners, owners and general managers have all had the honor of firing talent on screen for the world to see.
Here are the 10 best firings in WWE history
#10 Paul Heyman
In 2001, Paul Heyman reformed ECW and joined forces with Shane against Vince in the invasion angle. After the 2001 Survivor Series, Vince called Heyman to the ring to address the comments Paul had made on the previous SmackDown tapings.
After a very short exchange, Vince told him the immortal words “You’re Fired” and Heyman was carried out by security.
#9 Cody Rhodes
In 2013, Cody Rhodes was outspoken about the treatment Daniel Bryan was receiving on screen.
Triple H made him put his career on the line in a match against Randy Orton for the comments that were made. He went on to lose the match.
The firing was done for two reasons, the first being to give Rhodes some time off for his wedding and honeymoon and the second was to help draw some heat for The Authority.
#8 JR
One of the more memorable firings of all time was when Linda McMahon fired JR on the October 10th, 2005 episode of Raw.
This firing was done by Linda because the McMahons didn’t get a proper apology from him for not helping when Austin stunned the entire McMahon family.
#7 Bobby Heenan
In 1993, Bobby was doing commentary with Vince McMahon. Gorilla Monsoon, who was fed up with “The Brain’s” constant insults, came down to the commentator’s booth to discuss Heenan’s conduct.
He grabbed Heenan by the ear and dragged him to the back, and tossed his luggage out the back door of the arena.
#6 John Cena
In 2010 Cena was forced to join The Nexus and follow Wade Barrett’s orders or be fired from WWE. Cena then officiated a match between Randy Orton and Wade Barrett for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series, 2010.
The stipulation with this match was that if Barrett lost, Cena would be fired. Barrett lost and the next night on Raw, Cena gave a farewell speech and said goodbye to friends in the back.
This firing was confirmed as fake when Cena returned on next week’s Raw as a fan who interfered in matches involving the Nexus.
#5 Chris Jericho
In 2005, Jericho faced Cena in a rematch from their previous match at SummerSlam that year - this time in a "You're fired" match, where the loser would be fired. Cena won again.
Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff fired a pleading Jericho, who was carried out of the arena by security.
#4 Vickie Guerrero
In 2014, Vickie was to face Stephanie McMahon in a match where the loser would be the one thrown into a swimming pool of mud. She was blindsided by McMahon, tossed into the mud and ultimately fired.
In true Guerrero fashion, she got her retribution by throwing McMahon into the mud and leaving the company to Eddie’s old entrance music.
#3 John Laurinaitis
On the June 11, 2012 episode of Raw, Vince McMahon would give Laurinaitis a job evaluation. At No Way Out that month, Cena defeated Show in a Steel Cage match, which led to McMahon firing Laurinaitis after the match.
This was followed by Cena hitting the Attitude Adjustment on Laurinaitis through the Spanish announce table.
#2 Shawn Michaels
In 1998, Shawn Michaels was fired as the commissioner of Raw. Shawn started to walk away from Vince after he was fired, but turned back around a nailed Vince with some sweet chin music.
After nailing Vinnie Mac he took off his tie, tore open his shirt and danced over Vince before running out into the crowd so team corporate wouldn't catch him.
#1 Eric Bischoff
The December 5th, 2005 episode of Raw will be forever known as “The Trial of Eric Bischoff.” During the trial, Mick Foley was the attorney presenting a case against Bischoff, while Vince McMahon sat as the judge.
After presenting their case against Bischoff, Mr. McMahon growled his famous “you’re fired” and John Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment on Eric. Vince then dumped him into the back of a garbage truck which was driven out of the arena.
