5 times WWE Superstars got fired for angering Vince McMahon

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has been running the company for decades and has seen superstars and personnel come and go. Many have good things to say about the boss, but some don't.

It's well documented that Vince McMahon is outspoken and abrupt about the way he conducts business. It is usually Vince's way or the highway. And the highway is exactly where you'll be headed if you cross the boss.

That being said, let's take a look at five times WWE superstars got fired for angering Vince McMahon.

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#5. Former WWE writer Jimmy Jacobs

Current IMPACT Wrestling writer and producer Jimmy Jacobs joined WWE in March 2015 to be a part of the creative team. Jacobs was a popular wrestler on the independent scene before transitioning to a backstage role.

Many WWE fans may not realize it, but Jimmy Jacobs had a hand in the Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho feud in 2017. Jacobs describes being involved with the storyline as one of his proudest moments with the company.

In October 2017, Jacobs took a photo with some Bullet Club members who had turned up on RAW planning to "invade" the show. The video was being filmed for the Being The Elite series as a mock invasion angle.

Jimmy Jacobs spoke with Chris Van Vliet about being let go by WWE:

"When I did it, I knew it might make some people upset but, at that point in my life, I didn’t care. I wasn’t trying to not get fired anymore because, for so long, I was there just trying to not get fired. They did for me what I could have never have done for myself. I would have stayed there another 10 years and been miserable and hated life just like most of the other writers there. I don’t want to speak for them, but there’s a lot of unhappiness there," Jimmy Jacobs said (h/t TPWW).

Vince McMahon wasn't happy with the photo and ultimately decided to fire Jacobs. Of course, Vince is protective of his company and saw this as someone from in-house mixing with the enemy.

#4. Former WWE RAW General Manager Brad Maddox

The former WWE Raw General Manager Brad Maddox had all going for him during his tenure. There's no denying he was extremely talented at what he did and suited the role as an authority figure. Going from the referee to RAW General Manager was a pretty impressive feat.

Sadly, it all came crashing down when, before a dark match before SmackDown, he called the audience 'cocky pr***s' while cutting a promo. Vince McMahon got word about it, and Maddox was fired.

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#3. Former WWE Superstar Big Cass

Big Cass signed with WWE in 2011 and went on to have a successful run alongside Enzo Amore.

During Cass' singles run, he feuded with Daniel Bryan. In an episode of SmackDown on May 1, 2018, Big Cass was in a segment mocking Bryan involving a little person. Cass ended up kicking said little person, which was completely against the script. In fact, he was specifically told not to by management. As a result, Vince McMahon fired Big Cass for disobeying his orders.

It was also reported that Cass had behavioral issues, which further added to his firing. Later, Cass discussed his issues with depression and alcohol that ultimately contributed to his release. He is currently performing for IMPACT Wrestling.

#2. Former WWE Superstar Highlander Robbie

The Highlanders were making a name for themselves in the mid-2000s on RAW. In 2008, Highlander Robbie, one-half of the team, decided to make a trip to Orlando to sit in the crowd for a TNA, now IMPACT Wrestling, taping.

Surprisingly, the promotion decided to show Highlander Robbie on-screen, using his real name to avoid any lawsuits. It wasn't as though Robbie was a high-profile star or looked too impressed when the camera was on him.

Word got back to Vince McMahon, and a fine was handed to Robbie. His release from the company shortly followed. Although TNA was not considered a rival, the WWE Chairman was not impressed with his actions.

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#1. Paul London was fired from WWE by Vince McMahon

On the night that Vince McMahon's limousine blew up, the WWE superstars gathered in the halls to watch McMahon exit the arena. There was one noticeable wrestler who appeared to have a smile on his face: Paul London.

When Vince watched the segment back, London's smile caught his attention, and he was enraged. London was immediately punished, and it wasn't long before Vince fired him from WWE.