In the era of social media, the various WWE stars, both in front of the camera and behind it, shared their thoughts and feelings upon the news of releases and furloughs announced on Wednesday.
RELEASED WRESTLERS
Kurt Angle
@RealKurtAngle I wanted 2 say thank you to the WWE for the time I spent there.I made many new friends and had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. To the Superstars, continue to entertain the WWE Universe as well as you possibly can. They’re the best fans in the world. #itstrue
Miro
@RusevBUL
Thank you All, Rusev out!
Brian Myers
@TheCurtHawkins
Last time I got fired I had a really funny tweet in response to it. Doesn’t really feel appropriate today. I will say this, a lot of very talented ppl lost their jobs today and out of this disaster the PRO WRESTLING community will rise stronger than ever!
Matt Cardona
@ZackRyder
The only thing I wanted to do in life was wrestle. I’m grateful I spent 14 years living my dream in WWE. Thanks to my fans & everyone who believed in me. As I was getting released, I was looking at this photo & smiling. I’m #AlwayzReady & beyond excited for the future. #NotThere
Heath Slater
@HeathSlaterOMRB
I know everyone is waiting to hear my response to my release from WWE but after 16 years I’m going to need a little more than a few hours to really digest all my thoughts and emotions. For now, thank you all for all of your kind words and support during this time.
The Virtuosa
@DeonnaPurrazzo
The people closest to me know this is something I’ve been struggling with wanting for the better part of the last year. Happy to say I gave this journey my best and MORE excited for the future!
The post by Drake Maverick on Twitter (@WWEMaverick) was a video. “I’m like everybody else, where I probably didn’t take this as seriously as it is at the beginning, but it’s affecting people’s lives, it’s affecting people’s jobs, it’s affecting the way people make a living,” he says, holding in his emotions. He also noted that he still planned to wrestle on NXT as a part of the Interim championship tournament on Wednesday night.
Drake Maverick posted a video.
No Way Jose
@WWENoWayJose
Love you all 💜💜 #ThankYou
He also posted a video, including the thought: “Thanks to everybody who cheered for me, booed for me, danced with me, thought it was silly, thank you for making it all worthwhile.”
Lio Rush
@itsLioRush
To all of my fellow co workers, whatever happens today or the remainder of this week….just know, we’re all going to be good. 🙏🏽 Once a family, forever a family. #Wrestling
Scott Armstrong (referee)
@WWEArmstrong
This virus has claimed thousands of lives and thousands of jobs. Today, the landscape of @WWE changed forever. Some of us were furloughed and others released. Today, I’m grateful for my health and my family and friends! This too shall pass!
Aleksandar Jaksic
@WWEAleksandar
Sometimes Life Does Not Seem Real.
& No Matter How Hard You Work,
It Sometimes Is Not Enough.
White heart MY WWE FAMILY Blue heart
“Until one of our lights is forever extinguished, our dance will never end.”
GOODBYE, @WWENXT.
BEHIND THE SCENES
(Note that many producers have been furloughed, meaning that they could return. It has to do with their employment status.)
Lance Storm (behind the scenes producer)
@LanceStorm
My best to all who, like me, lost their jobs today. To those still on the job, hold down the fort for us. It was my pleasure to work with you all these past 4 month. I hope we will all get a chance to work together again. Stay strong, stay safe.
Andrea Listenberger (writer)
@andrea_ml
Lots of people getting let go at #WWE today and regrettably, I am one of them. But I’m proud of the work I’ve been able to do since starting in Dec., and glad that the storyline I worked on resonated with so many people. That’s what writing is about for me. #OtisandMandyForever
Hurricane Helms (behind the scenes producer)
@ShaneHelmsCom
I knew I shouldn’t have answered that call. 😁🤷🏻♂️ … Thanks everyone for all the great messages. I truly believe that this is just temporary. There are many people in this world in far worse situations than I am, so please don’t worry about me too much. I’ll always be The Hurricane and I’m always just a tweet away. Love you all!
Fit Finlay (behind the scenes producer)
@ringfox1
To everyone on Gods green earth. Thank you for the kind words. I’ve been doing this for 46 years(Wrestling)I pray you all get through this and we can share a hug and drink again. Stay healthy. (SD)
Sarah Stock (behind the scenes producer)
@SSDarkAngel
We’re all a family, and that’s never been more apparent than right now. Love, gratitude, and respect. ❤️
CURRENT WWE STARS & EMPLOYEES
Renee Young
@ReneeYoungWWE
My heart breaks for anyone who has lost their job during this. I feel sick about it. Sending you guys so much love
Mickie James~Aldis
@MickieJames
To my brothers and sisters I’m sorry. Please remember. Life is change… it’s ever changing… A job can fill your bank account, but do what fills your soul! I love you. “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
PAIGE
@RealPaigeWWE
My heart is breaking for my wrestling family.
Lexi Kaufman
@AlexaBliss_WWE
Very hard day for the WWE family 💔
Trinity Fatu
@NaomiWWE
Sending love and positivity to my entire family away from family, today is hard
Johnny Gargano
@JohnnyGargano
Today sucks. Broken heart
Kacy Catanzaro
@KacyCatanzaro
Today has been heartbreaking. Broken heart I wish I knew the right things to say. So sad.
Gerry Brisco
@Fgbrisco
My heart breaks for all my Wwe wrestling family that was let go today so much talent and skill both in ring and staff are were dedicated to bringing you the best product possible. All will rebound can’t take talent away. Best to all.
NattieByNature
@NatbyNature
My heart is heavy today. I love my @WWE family so much.
TJ Wilson
@TJWilson
My heart breaks for so many of my friends/co workers today. I also believe every one of them is very strong and will be back better than ever. We are going to get through this TOGETHER.
GREATER WRESTLING COMMUNITY SENDS SUPPORT
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer put it in perspective on his Twitter account, @davemeltzerWON: “This has been such a sad day on so many levels. A lot of good hard working people lost their jobs at the worst time possible. Keep in mind this was in a company with $500 million cash reserves and was still expected without it to turn a significant profit this year.”
There was support from the rest of the wrestling community, inside and outside the company, as well.
Frankie Kazarian
@FrankieKazarian
A lot of very talented men & woman in professional wrestling lost their jobs today. Many of them are my friends. This is happening everywhere. You cannot stop talent, however, and those with passion, drive and a great and diverse skill set WILL succeed regardless. Heads up!
Jim Ross
@JRsBBQ
Daunting day for our business. @WWE folks released please realize this is not the end but can be your new beginning. Count the blessings that you have and persevere. Never give up!
Gail Kim-Irvine
@gailkimITSME
Today, so many of my colleagues lost their jobs…. it’s heartbreaking to watch and hear the news. I ask everyone to please take this virus seriously and follow the rules so that we can have this awful situation be dealt with quickly. I don’t want to see more. Please stay home
Edward Edwards
@TheEddieEdwards
We are all in this together
Bully Ray
@bullyray5150
Days like today are why the downside guarantee is SO important.
To the Boys,
I salute you.
You will all get through this.
BigMike
@MichaelElgin25
My heart goes out to everyone effected since the covid-19 outbreak. So many good people have lost their jobs. My mom being one, that and today’s news hit really close to home. Everyone in wrestling or not, stay strong together we can get through this.
Paul Orndorff
@PaulOrndorffHOF
Wish all of those who got released today from @WWE the best of luck down the road i’m sure good things will come for you.
Mike Bucci on Facebook:
“If you’re going to spend the day updating your Facebook page letting everyone know who got released from the WWE today, please don’t. There’s a lot of folks who got furloughed or released today who lost their dream and their livelihood. Don’t be that guy that has to keep putting it out there. My heart breaks for all those guys and gals. They did nothing wrong.”
THE END
We’ll leave the last word to Bray Wyatt, @WWEBrayWyatt, who just wrote “Yuck.”
