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WWE is currently the biggest pro-wrestling company in the world. The dream of numerous pro wrestlers from all around the world is to bag a contract with Vince McMahon's promotion and achieve worldwide fame and glory, but only a select few manage to reach that elusive goal.
WWE has been producing content for decades on end, and has been home to some of the biggest Superstars in the industry. Wrestlers always talk about how grateful they are for being a part of WWE, but that doesn't mean that they praise Vince McMahon or WWE when they exit the company or are released.
Several Superstars have criticised WWE following their exit from the company, but there are rare exceptions when a Superstar had nothing but praise for Vince McMahon or WWE. Here, we will take a look at five such Superstars who praised Vince McMahon and WWE after leaving the company.
#5 Miro thankful to Vince McMahon and WWE following his WWE exit
After spending 6 years on the main roster, Miro was released by WWE earlier this year, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans weren't happy with Miro's final few months in WWE, as they were displeased with WWE's treatment of The Bulgarian Brute. After his WWE exit, Miro became more active on social media, and during one of his Q&A sessions with fans, Miro responded to a fan who asked him whether he disliked WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, or WWE.
Miro said that there is no reason to dislike neither, and went on to praise them for providing him with a platform to live his dream.
Miro also stated at one point after his WWE exit that he is done with pro-wrestling. This turned out to be a lie to swerve the fans, as he made his way to AEW soon after. Miro was revealed as the best man for Kip Sabian's wedding to Penelope Ford.
#4 Gerald Brisco thanks WWE in a heartfelt message after his release
A few weeks ago, WWE released Gerald Brisco, after 36 long years of service to the company. Brisco sent out a tweet stating that he received a call from Vince McMahon himself, who told him that his services were no longer needed. Brisco then added that he is okay with it and will still be around to help young guns.
Soon after, Brisco posted another tweet thanking WWE for the opportunity that he was given. Brisco posted the tweet in response to a throwback GIF featuring himself, Pat Patterson, and Vince McMahon.
In his tweet, as can be seen above, Gerald Brisco thanked WWE for "36 awesome years", and acknowledged that he got the chance to help Vince McMahon in creating his empire, something that very few people get to do.
Gerald Brisco, along with Pat Patterson, was one of the most recognizable faces in WWE during the Attitude Era. Both men portrayed the characters of Vince McMahon's stooges, who were ready to go to any length in order to help Vince against his foes, most notably Stone Cold Steve Austin. Brisco was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
#3 Cody Rhodes praises Vince McMahon several times after WWE release
Cody was released by WWE in mid-2016, after a multi-year stint with the company. Over the next few years, Cody promoted himself wisely, and it all culminated in him becoming the EVP of All Elite Wrestling, a wrestling company owned by Tony Khan.
Following his WWE release, Cody has talked about his WWE stint on various occasions. He has also opened up on Vince McMahon, and even though he expressed dissatisfaction over how his character was developed in WWE, he always held Vince in high regard and has praised his former boss.
Mere days before AEW Dynamite premiered, Cody heaped praise on the WWE Chairman and several WWE personnel, crediting them for helping him in learning about the business.
"I've had the best education one could ever receive for this job. A pro since age 15. Eleven years under the learning tree of such minds as Randy Orton, Vince McMahon, Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, and countless other legends. And, of course, the three decades I spent talking wrestling every day with The American Dream himself."
Cody is currently one of the biggest stars in pro-wrestling, courtesy his run in AEW. He became the company's first TNT Champion at AEW Double Or Nothing, and recently lost the belt to Brodie Lee in a squash match.
#2 Kurt Angle praises WWE after release amidst the COVID-19 crisis
Back in April, WWE surprised everyone by releasing a string of employees in light of the COVID-19 crisis. The decision to let go several Superstars and backstage personnel in such a difficult situation didn't sit well with the fans. WWE legend Kurt Angle was one of these Superstars who was released by Vince McMahon, but he reacted to the same with nothing but class.
Angle thanked WWE for the time that he spent in the company, and added that he made new friends there and worked with many talented people. Angle also didn't forget to acknowledge the WWE Universe in his tweet, and told WWE Superstars to continue entertaining the fans.
At a time when many former WWE Superstars critcised the company after their release, Angle's classy tweet was a breath of fresh air. He was brought back to act as a special guest referee in Matt Riddle's final WWE NXT match, and later made an appearance on SmackDown to hype up Matt Riddle's arrival.
#1 Chris Jericho praises Vince McMahon on multiple occasions following WWE exit
Chris Jericho is one of the biggest Superstars to ever grace a WWE ring. A Cruiserweight star in WCW, he became a multiple-time World Champion in WWE, and is regarded by many as one of the all-time greats. Chris Jericho has stated in the past how his WrestleMania 33 booking led to him leaving WWE.
Chris Jericho, though, has made it clear on several occasions that he has nothing but respect for Vince McMahon. He has praised Vince McMahon in various interviews following his WWE exit. At one time, Jericho said that the one thing he misses about WWE is his interactions with Vince, and how the WWE Chairman always challenged him as a professional.
Jericho has also confirmed that he talks to Vince from time to time, and has lots of love and respect for WWE and its employees. Although Chris Jericho never misses a chance to take a jibe at WWE, it's clear as day that he still has a lot of respect for his former employer.
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