Top 10 Best Wrestlers Who Were FIRED
#10: Bray Wyatt
The wound still feels fresh with regards to the untimely death of Windham Rotunda, a.k.a. Bray Wyatt, back in 2023. This is what makes his firing from WWE back in 2021 so confusing, especially given his fan-favorite status and well-established track record of moving merchandise. Still, the Bray Wyatt character’s history wasn’t perfect, as evidenced by his feud with Randy Orton. But fans seemed to always be both forgiving and ready for whatever ideas Wyatt had for the future. Unfortunately, Wyatt was let go from the WWE in a budget-motivated decision, although some fans have surmised that his salary and creative contractual control also influenced this controversial move.
#9: “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig
The Plane Ride From Hell is an infamous tale that’s gone down into the annals of pro wrestling lore and history. It was during this return flight from the United Kingdom where “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig engaged in a mid-air altercation with Brock Lesnar. After an argument about which performers retained the best amateur wrestling background, things got physical between the two. It was a plane ride that felt like total chaos from takeoff to final descent. Hennig paid the price afterward, receiving his walking papers for his role in the incident.
#8: Paul London
It’s a misconception that the infamous “smiling incident” involving Paul London contributed to his firing from the WWE in 2008. Wrestling historians have agreed, however, that it probably didn’t help. London’s tenure with the company was already on thin ice, thanks to alleged backstage unhappiness with the high-flyer’s penchant for comedy spots. Still, the image of London’s beaming smile during the “Death of Mr. McMahon” storyline remains one that’s indelibly etched in his time at the company. It overshadows that London’s tag team with Brian Kendrick made history as the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions prior to The New Day taking that honor in 2016. That’s not to be confused with the World Tag Team Championship record, which was held by Demolition.
#7: Matt Hardy
One of the most interesting aspects of pro wrestling hirings and firings is how many of these competitors take time to work on their craft, reinventing themselves and their careers. The firing of Matt Hardy from the WWE back in 2005 arrived hot on the heels of a real-life love triangle between Hardy, Lita and Edge. The lines were blurred in the ring with Hardy and Lita’s very messy breakup, and fans seemed smarter than ever as to what was going on behind the scenes. The company would eventually rehire Hardy to ignite a personal feud with Edge, although it would be the Rated R Superstar that would eventually come out on top. Pun intended.
#6: Samoa Joe
Wrestling fans don’t really need to worry about Samoa Joe. This former WWE tough guy is doing just fine for himself co-starring in the Peacock streaming series “Twisted Metal,” while also enjoying a continued pro wrestling career in AEW. Joe has worked within the latter’s Ring of Honor branding. Previously, he was let go by the WWE not once, but twice between 2021 and 2022. A troubled history of injuries was a factor in this decision, along with budgetary concerns that came up in the aftermath of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, Joe’s association with Triple H’s previous control over the NXT brand reportedly didn’t align with the “2.0” branding that the company implemented back in September of 2021.
#5: Drew McIntyre
It could be argued that the difficult circumstances surrounding Drew McIntyre’s 2014 firing from WWE helped the future Scottish Warrior in ways he couldn’t have possibly imagined. McIntyre’s status as a comedy wrestler within the 3MB faction feels totally foreign to the competitor’s rough and dominant in-ring style of today. The aftermath of his firing allowed for McIntyre to increase his physicality in the ring, while a return to the independent circuit allowed him to polish his skills. His return to the WWE feels like night and day, with his stock being significantly increased as a main event player.
#4: Swerve Strickland
The great budget cuts of 2021 left a lot of talent out in the cold after their time in WWE. The entire Hit Row stable was excised from the company’s ledger sheets during this era, including Swerve Strickland. Some wrestling journalists have surmised that alleged “entitled” behavior from Hit Row influenced the WWE’s decision to let them go—specifically a telephone argument with regards to a planned flight.
This may have been one of the most misguided firings in recent history, as Swerve’s potential was as clear as day. Thankfully, he eventually found his way to AEW, where he became a historic main event star as the company’s first African-American World Champion.
#3: CM Punk
CM Punk’s return to professional wrestling under the AEW banner may have been a history-making event, but it could be argued that his current run back in the WWE has been more successful from an in-ring perspective.somewhat smoother sailing. That’s because Punk’s tenure with Tony Khan’s company was marred by personal backstage altercations, online bickering and an unceremonious firing back in September of 2023. Punk’s issues with Jack Perry at AEW’s “All-In” event in London led to the company firing him “with cause.” And the whole affair seemed acrimonious from jump street. It was a sad and tumultuous end to an AEW run that could’ve gone a lot better for both parties.
#2: Shawn Michaels
Obviously the Shawn Michaels that was fired by the WWE (then WWF) back in 1987 wasn’t the same Shawn Michaels that would enter the pro wrestling history books. This was still the era of Michaels’ tag team partnership with Marty Jannetty as The Rockers, with both men being fired after being caught in a real-life bar fight. Michaels would eventually make amends, and was rehired by the company a year later. The rest, as they say, is history, with Shawn Michaels becoming “Mr. WrestleMania,” and one of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever lace up a pair of boots.
#1: Bryan Danielson
The Nexus certainly made an auspicious debut with the WWE, entering into a feud with John Cena and demolishing all in their path. It was during one of these ring-destroying fiascos that Bryan Danielson, then known as Daniel Bryan, got himself into some hot water with the company. The visual of Bryan choking former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts with his tie was deemed too violent for the company’s PG-rated era, and he was fired in the aftermath. Of course, what happened next was Bryan’s eventual Cinderella story and The Yes Movement, which went down as one of the most popular storylines in modern WWE history. Still, it’s interesting to see where it started, versus where it ended.
Were you shocked by any of these releases when they occurred? Share your thoughts in the comments!
