What’s the story?
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Simon Gotch caused a scene before the SmackDown Live episode after WrestleMania 33 in catering, shortly before being released by the WWE.
In case you didn't know...
On April 5th, 2017, Simon Gotch was released from WWE upon mutual agreement.
Gotch was rumoured to have been disliked backstage. The first instance showing this was when he got into a fight with Sin Cara in catering right before the 2016 WWE draft. He got into an altercation with Sin Cara, who threw a soda can on his face.
This resulted in a visible black eye for Gotch. The fight was said to be completely one-sided, favouring Sin Cara.
Former WWE Superstar Ryback openly stated that he did not like Gotch and was happy to hear about the fact that Sin Cara got into a fight with Gotch. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter had also stated that Gotch was not very well liked backstage.
Simon Gotch had an interview with former WWE creative writer Vince Russo. In the interview, however, Simon Gotch said nothing negative about WWE and came across very level headed throughout.
After Simon Gotch’s release, his former Vaudevillains partner Aiden English is rumoured to be getting a midcard push under a singing gimmick which he previously had in NXT.
The heart of the matter
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Simon Gotch tipped over his own chair and was furious after he fell down. The fall itself was reportedly bad enough for him to cause a scene.
While Gotch does have a reputation of not being very well liked, it is possible that this incident could have been the final straw that saw Gotch being released from his contract. Bad behaviour is not tolerated well in the WWE amongst performers, especially from those in the lower card.
What’s next?
Simon Gotch is already taking independent bookings, so he will try to make his name on the indie circuit while his former tag team partner Aiden English may be set for a midcard push on SmackDown Live.
Author’s take
While we personally cannot comment on Gotch’s attitude because we have no first-hand experience, it looks like the former NXT Tag Team Champion was not very well liked backstage. And if he did not gel with other Superstars and faculty backstage, it is perhaps best that he left the WWE, so that he can gain more experience and come back with a different approach and perhaps a different character altogether.
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