The mass layoffs and furloughs by World Wrestling Entertainment shook the whole industry to its core. With around 40 WWE Superstars, coaches, and producers let go and many more from the corporate headquarters as well, it feels like Vince McMahon decided to hit the nuclear button a month after WWE were forced to perform in front of no crowds.
While everyone’s lives somewhat changed ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit, the lives of everyone who will no longer receive a paycheck will be changed even more. While most corporations are on a furlough or firing spree, WWE as a company was in a far better position than others to ride the wave for several months.
With house shows tanking and nearly losing money, not going on live event tours will probably save WWE money rather than the opposite and with guaranteed TV money in the billions and $500 million in cash with minimum debt, the situation could have been handled better to say the very least.
Many of those individuals who either got the call or text about their fate in the company went on social media to discuss their departure.
Rusev: “Thank you All, Rusev out!”
Zack Ryder: “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”
Curt Hawkins: “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!”
Fit Finlay: “To all my friends, fans. And family. This is a crazy time and I want to say thanks to @WWEUniverse and everyone I’ve ever shared ring time with, working with or teaching. Stay safe. Especially to all the amazing girls (women) I’ve had the honor to work with. Stay safe y’all.”
Heath Slater: “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.”
Shane Helms: “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!”
Kurt Angle: “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”
Lance Storm: “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 (WWE writer): “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”
Others preferred to film a video to share their story such as Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, EC3, No Way Jose, and Drake Maverick.
