'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE’s roster is full of talents, both ordinary and extraordinary. Many Superstars have come and gone from this company. The only difference is that sometimes a wrestler leaves on his own terms but in other cases, the management fires him or her.
Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the WWE is the one who decides if a wrestler will continue working for the company or not. He has undoubtedly fired many Superstars in the past, obviously for the good of the company, but sometimes, he took a wrong decision.
Let’s look at three WWE Superstars Vince McMahon still regrets firing and two he may not.
#5 Regrets firing: CM Punk
CM Punk, undoubtedly, was one of the best in-ring workers in the WWE. In 2011, he dropped his infamous Pipebomb promo against the McMahon family that cemented his legacy in WWE.
He won many titles in the company including the WWE Championship, which he won on five different occasions. However, because of multiple reasons, WWE fired CM Punk on June 13, 2014 - on his wedding day.
Why the WWE regrets firing him: In 2012, Big Show said to Punk “If you left the WWE tomorrow, I give these people about a week before they move onto the next new thing.”
Now we are in 2019 and still, the fans didn’t forget CM Punk, despite the fact he hasn’t wrestled a single match in years. Vince McMahon could have used him better in the WWE if he was still wrestling but unfortunately, the Straight Edge Superstar retired after the WWE fired him.
#4 May not be regretting: Enzo Amore
Enzo Amore is a notable name in the wrestling business, not because for wrestling but mostly for his mic skills. He also won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Neville (now Pac).
Even though Enzo was an entertaining character in the WWE, he didn’t get cheers and praise from the crowd as a champion. Many thought he doesn’t deserve to be a champion as his in-ring skills weren’t up to par. In 2018, the WWE fired him because of a sexual assault allegations filed against him. However, due to lack of evidence, the case was closed with no charges were filed against Amore.
Why the WWE may not regret firing him: The WWE has a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to allegations like this. It doesn’t matter if the wrestler is a mid-carder or a main event Superstar, WWE would always take strict actions. This strict policy could be the reason why WWE doesn’t regret firing Amore from the company.
#3 Regrets firing: Gail Kim
Gail Kim is now a retired professional wrestler. She also worked for the WWE but never received proper treatment. She felt like her career was drowning in McMahon’s company and therefore decided to leave it. In 2011, during a Women’s Battle Royal, Kim eliminated herself from the match and later asked for her release.
Why the WWE regret firing her: In an interview, she revealed that nobody in backstage cared about this incident. During that time, women’s revolution wasn’t happening, and it is why females weren’t receiving attention from the creatives.
However, everything has changed in the past few years and now we are in an era where women’s are headlining big pay-per-views. After leaving WWE, Kim became one of the most polarizing Superstars in the wrestling industry. She became more successful in TNA (Impact Wrestling) as compared to WWE. Many fans refer her as the most talented female wrestler and considering the women’s revolution, the WWE probably regrets granting her release.
#2 May not be regretting: Ryback
Vince McMahon seems to prefer big guys like Ryback in his Billion Dollar Company. When Ryback first came to the WWE, the management pushed him as a dominator. This is why Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave him the Most Overrated award in 2012. He got many squash victories in the beginning but it didn’t last long.
The WWE released him in 2016 and one thing is for sure—he didn’t leave this company on great terms.
Why the WWE may not regret firing him: Even though Ryback is the kind of wrestler Vince McMahon seems to prefer in his company, he wasn’t getting the best treatment from the company.
The Big Guy once said that WWE management promised him many things but then broke many of them. Ryback said that Vince McMahon told him he would defeat AJ Styles at Wrestlemania in a squash match. However, nothing like this ever happened.
From being a main-event type wrestler, Ryback became a mid-card superstar in the WWE. The Big Guy, several times, went off the script in his promos. He discussed this thing in his podcast, and according to him, it made Vince furious. The Chairman doesn’t like wrestlers who don’t follow the script and it could be why he may not regret releasing the former Intercontinental Champion. Sure, there were many other things as well that led to Ryback’s release from the WWE but I think this is the primary one.
#1 Regrets firing: Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes has now become one of the most prominent superstars in the world. He also worked for WWE but never achieved big things as compared to other wrestlers. He is the son of legendary Dusty Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes received some early push in the WWE. He feuded with many superstars, defeated some of them and even won Intercontinental and Tag Team championships. However, the WWE released him in 2016.
Why the WWE regrets firing him: Cody Rhodes saw a huge change in his character when the WWE made him Stardust. This gimmick was similar to his brother, Goldust.
After some time, Cody felt like his career is going off the line and then he asked for his release. WWE happily released him from the company but in just 2 years, Rhodes became a notable name in this industry. In recent times, he reportedly rejected multiple WWE offers and now is the Vice President of All Elite Wrestling.
This company is now ready to give tough competition to the WWE and there’s no doubt why Vince doesn’t regret releasing Cody Rhodes.
