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2020-2021 has been unprecedented in WWE, with the company having mass releases on numerous occasions. While it was the popular talent that got the headlines, there were several backstage staff in WWE that were laid off as well.
In some instances, superstars getting fired from the promotion can be sudden. For circumstances mainly outside the ring, WWE has had to let go of some stars, even if they were regularly featured on television.
This list features some legends and champions that were fired in the middle of a storyline:
#5. Daniel Bryan - Released from WWE right at the start of the Nexus angle
Back in 2010, NXT wasn't what it is today. The Black and Gold brand was essentially a game show with a young crop of talent. The first edition was won by Wade Barrett, but when The Nexus debuted on RAW in 2010, they were a collective unit.
Daniel Bryan happened to be a part of Nexus and it was supposed to be the start of his WWE main roster run as well. Unfortunately for him, one mistake cost him his job. During the invasion angle, The Nexus was causing havoc inside and outside the ring. In the midst of all the chaos, Bryan choked Justin Roberts with a necktie, perhaps being a bit rougher than he should have.
When speaking to Chris Jericho on the Talk is Jericho podcast in 2014, Daniel Bryan revealed the initial backstage reaction in WWE. At first, he was shouted at because he not only choked Justin Roberts, but he spat on John Cena's face. He was reprimanded verbally for both actions. Michael Hayes said that it wasn't bad to make mistakes, but it was important to learn from them.
In an FCW show that Bryan attended shortly thereafter, Vince McMahon even reassured him that it would all blow over. Only two days later, he was called personally by McMahon, who told him that he was being released from WWE.
Thankfully, Daniel Bryan didn't react badly to the news. He simply thanked Vince McMahon for the opportunity and commented that he would go on to make more money than he ever had in independent wrestling.
This comment apparently took McMahon by surprise, and he had John Laurinaitis follow up later about his remarks. Daniel Bryan stated that he was working a regular contract under WWE and being on the independent scene would benefit him more monetarily.
Just a few months later, Bryan was re-hired by WWE and returned at SummerSlam 2010. He would go on to become one of WWE's biggest stars of the decade.
#4. Big Cass - Fired shortly after his return to WWE
When Big Cass debuted on the WWE main roster with Enzo Amore in 2016, the duo was quick to make a buzz. Amore's charisma on the mic and Cass' look made them popular with the WWE Universe.
Enzo Amore suffered a concussion not too long after his debut and would be out for a month. In that time, WWE used the opportunity to showcase Big Cass in a singles role - signaling plans for him down the line.
He had a good look, which is why it was no surprise that there was a push backstage in WWE for him to get a bigger role. In typical WWE style, Amore and Cass separated a year later - far sooner than they should have. They didn't even enjoy a tag team title reign or a long run together - something that would have benefited both men.
In the summer of 2017, Big Cass suffered an ACL tear that would keep him out for eight months. It was a shame because his singles career in the company was just beginning. He eventually returned to WWE after WrestleMania 34 and was Daniel Bryan's first singles feud since his in-ring return.
Cass remained a heel and would lose to Daniel Bryan in Backlash. It was assumed that they would continue their feud and Big Cass would get his win back. At Money in the Bank 2018, Cass was expected to beat Bryan but lost.
He was released from WWE two days later, with the feud having abruptly concluded on SmackDown. Unfortunately for Big Cass, it was a dark period in his life as he was depressed, anxious, and suffered from alcohol addiction.
He admitted to disobeying backstage orders from Vince McMahon and reportedly had behavioral issues backstage. He later stated that the company was right to release him when they did.
He currently wrestles for IMPACT Wrestling where he goes by his real name of W. Morrissey.
#3. Eddie Guerrero - Released from WWE due to medication addiction issues
Eddie Guerrero's first run in WWE only lasted from early 2000 to late 2001. His first stint started when he jumped ship from WCW alongside the likes of Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, and Dean Malenko.
Together, they debuted in WWE as The Radicalz and had a brief run as babyfaces before turning heel. It was shortly thereafter in March 2000 when the famous Eddie Guerrero-Chyna romance storyline began.
As far as romantic storylines go in WWE history, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular ones. It was an odd combination, especially considering that Guerrero was "smaller" than the average WWE superstar, while Chyna wasn't.
As we've seen many times since, odd pairing storylines tend to work like a charm in WWE and wrestling in general. The storyline would go on for most of the year with several memorable moments. Ultimately, their storyline engagement ended after Eddie Guerrero cheated on her and turned heel.
After that, there was a European title victory at WrestleMania X-7 in 2001, a Radicalz reunion and split, along with an alliance with The Hardy Boyz and Lita. However, an accident in 1999 led Guerrero to develop an addiction to pain medication.
By the time 2001 had come around, he was in a dangerous state, forcing the company to send him to rehab. In late 2001, Eddie Guerrero was caught drunk driving and WWE released him shortly thereafter.
Guerrero returned to WWE in 2002 a different man and went on to forge an iconic legacy in just three years. He is remembered as an all-time great and many wonder how his run in the company would have been if he hadn't tragically passed away in November 2005.
#2. Enzo Amore - Fired from WWE during a title reign due to false allegations
Looking back, Enzo Amore's release from WWE in 2018 was a completely messy situation. After his split from Big Cass, Amore continued as a singles star and eventually moved to 205 Live to cause some buzz.
He became the WWE Cruiserweight Champion and surely enough, more eyes were on the division. Amore was doing his best work as an annoying heel Champion, but it all went downhill quickly. There were allegations of sexual assault against Enzo Amore, who was still the Cruiserweight Champion at the time.
It was alleged that he was fired from WWE not solely because of the charges, but because he didn't notify the company about it. Amore rebuked this claim, stating that he was unaware of any allegations against him until they became public.
Enzo Amore was released by WWE in early 2018 and only a few months later, the Phoenix City Police closed the case for a lack of evidence - deeming Amore innocent.
The entire process was messy, but there isn't much known about whether WWE could have been aware of it or notified beforehand. Either way, the company chose to suspend Amore once the allegations were out and quickly tried to distance themselves from him.
Since then, Enzo Amore has tried his luck as a rapper.
#1. The Ultimate Warrior - Fired while WWE was being investigated
Until his WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2014, there was a lot of bad blood between The Ultimate Warrior and WWE. He was once poised to succeed Hulk Hogan as the franchise star of the company, but things didn't work out due to numerous circumstances.
For one, The Ultimate Warrior had a clash with Vince McMahon over his WWE contract. He felt that he deserved to be paid $550,000 for his WrestleMania VII appearance along with several other guarantees on his contract.
The timing of it was tricky for McMahon and WWE. At first, he agreed to the demands and ensured The Ultimate Warrior that no superstar would get paid more than him for his pay-per-view appearances.
This, however, turned out to be a ploy from Vince McMahon, who needed The Ultimate Warrior for SummerSlam. After the pay-per-view, WWE suspended him, with Vince McMahon hitting back over the threats made. The Ultimate Warrior refused to accept his suspension and walked away from the company.
Eventually, things cooled down and WWE was able to bring Warrior back for WrestleMania VIII - where he returned and saved Hulk Hogan after the main event. It was believed that his 1992 return would lead to another WWE Championship reign, but this period coincided with the federal investigation that WWE was facing over reported illegal supply of steroids to its performers.
The Ultimate Warrior was a heavy steroid user at this time and was fired because of it by WWE in 1992 along with Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog). Speaking to MLW Radio, Warrior opened up about what happened (H/T WrestlingInc):
“Vince was feeling the heat from the federal investigation in what ultimately became an indictment over the steroid thing,” said Warrior. “It’s another one of those instances where he did what he had to do to protect his foremost interest, which was himself and his business. He made the claim that me and Davey Boy, Davey Boy got let go at the same time, that we had violated the drug policy at the time, which wasn’t true.”
The Ultimate Warrior's release from WWE happened while he was in the middle of a storyline. He was set to team up with the "Macho Man" Randy Savage to face Ric Flair and Razor Ramon at Survivor Series.
However, WWE released him before the pay-per-view.
