5 WWE Superstars who were released for surprising reasons

Del Rio was fired after slapping a racist colleague but later re-hired.
Del Rio was fired after slapping a racist colleague but later re-hired.

For many fans growing up, their dream is to make it to the WWE. And for a select few, after years of hard work, training, and with a bit of luck, they get to have their dream come true and get signed to be a Superstar.

And though some stars like 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and John Cena have had epic careers in the company, others haven't been as fortunate. If being underused doesn't sound right, there have even been some Superstars who have been given the pink slip

Whilst firings in the world of work happen all the time, there have been plenty of Superstars were fired for ludicrous reasons. Here are five WWE Superstars who got fired from the company for the most shocking of reasons, and how they, and the fans reacted.


#5: Emma

Emma was fired from WWE in 2014, but was re-hired just hours later.
Emma was fired from WWE in
2014,
but was re-hired just hours later.

Tenille Dashwood joined the WWE in 2012, and though she was never held a championship during her five years, the Australian Superstar was known for being an excellent hand in the ring.

In 2014 though, Emma made headlines around the world, when she was accused of shoplifting an iPad case though the Aussie claimed she had just accidentally forgotten to pay for it.

This definitely seemed more likely, as WWE superstars probably have a decent enough wage that they don't need to steal. Regardless, the company was quick to distance themselves from Emma, releasing her not long after.

What was even more shocking, was that within hours, Emma was rehired from the company, though the reasons why were never made clear. After this ordeal, Emma became a popular heel in the women's division before being released in late 2017.

#4: Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy is the first Money in the Bank winner to not become WWE World Champion.
Kennedy is the first Money in the Bank winner to not become WWE World Champion.

Mr. Kennedy had all the making of a future WWE Champion. And when the loudmouth won the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 23, it seemed Kennedy's rise to superstardom was assured.

Unfortunately, an injury would sideline the Green Bay native, though the lowest part of his career came years later in 2009. Returning as a face, Kennedy would face then-WWE Champion Randy Orton in tag team action and during the match, Kennedy would both the Legend Killer's RKO.

Irate, Orton demanded consequences backstage and reportedly turned to fellow top star John Cena for back-up. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the company quickly let Kennedy go, who hasn't been seen in WWE since.

Instead, Kennedy later joined TNA Wrestling, where he would finally get a reign as World Heavyweight Champion.

#3: Alberto Del Rio

Del Rio was fired for slapping a racist colleague but was later re-hired.
Del Rio was fired for slapping a racist colleague but was later re-hired.

Alberto Del Rio is a controversial man.

Despite being one of WWE's most confident heels in recent years, issues outside of the ring, namely those involving his toxic relationship with Paige, has left many fans soured on the former World Champion.

But we think all fans can agree that Del Rio's first release from the company, was both shocking, and perhaps an over-reaction on the company's behalf.

After overhearing a member of the backstage team make a racist joke, Del Rio slapped the crew member in the fact and though the unknown backstage figure was fired from the company, Del Rio was also sent packing.

Fortunately, Del Rio would be brought back the year after, though this tenure would not last long, and the Mexican Aristocrat was gone, seemingly for good, in 2016.

#2: Robbie and Rory McAllister

The Highlanders ( center ) at a live event against Cade & Murdoch and the World's Greatest Tag Team.
The Highlanders ( center ) at a live event against Cade & Murdoch and the World's Greatest Tag Team.

Though they never held tag team gold and probably aren't going to be in the WWE Hall of Fame anytime soon, the Highlanders were a fun tag-team that entertained crowds on RAW in the first half of the 21st Century.

In 2008 though, things changed dramatically, when Robbie attended a TNA event, whilst under contract.

Spotted immediately in the crowd, Robbie was called by WWE and told to leave. Though he did, the pair were fined their $5,000 WrestleMania bonus, and if that wasn't bad enough the pair were fired from WWE anyway.

The worst part of all of this though is that Robbie was frustrated at the company, and though he didn't mind getting fired, Rory was an innocent bystander in this ordeal and did nothing to lose his job.

#1: Dawn Marie

Marie took maternity leave in 2005 but was fired.
Marie took maternity leave in 2005 but was fired.

If you look into Dawn Marie's past, then you'll know that the ECW star did not have an easy road to becoming a part of WWE.

Once she made it though, Marie was treated like many women at the time, being used to fulfill demeaning storylines before the Women's revolution.

After kayfabe marrying Al Wilson in 2003, Marie would become pregnant two years later (not with Al's child) and would be forced to take time off from the company for maternity leave.

This didn't sit well with the company, as Marie was fired not long after taking time off.

Rightly annoyed by her former employer, Marie would file an official complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the following year, claiming the firing was both unfair and had caused her mental distress.

The case was settled the following year.

Meet the man who called CM Punk the softest man alive HERE