6) Alberto Del Rio
Fired For: A Backstage Altercation
Alberto Del Rio was first released from WWE in 2014 due to “unprofessional conduct”. This came after an incident where he allegedly got into an altercation with a backstage employee that made a racist joke towards him.
In an interview with WrestleTalk TV, Del Rio explained why he was fired:
“As you guys know I got fired because I stand up for myself against a (expletive) racist prick. He tried to make a joke against Mexicans and I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
After the incident, the backstage employee threatened to sue WWE for what happened. This led to the company firing Del Rio:
“This guy said he was going to sue the company and for that reason the company decided to let me go.”
This didn’t last too long though as he returned to WWE in 2015.
5) Finlay
Fired For: Authorizing A Disrespectful Segment
You likely remember Finlay from his time on WWE television alongside Hornswoggle. He is also a former United States Champion in WWE. In 2010, he became a full-time trainer and road agent with WWE.
In 2011, Finlay was fired by WWE. This came after he authorized a segment where the Miz interrupted the National Anthem of the United States at an event. This was a way for the Miz to get some heat on him but it ended up backfiring in a big way. There were some National Guard members in attendance that took offense, leading to his firing.
Thanks to an interview with Fighting Spirit Magazine, here is the story from Finlay’s point of view:
“They play the American national anthem over here before every event. We had Miz going out first and, because it was just before WrestleMania, we were trying to get as much heat on him as possible. So my spur-of-the-moment call, as I sat right by the technician, was to tell him to hit Miz’s music while they were half-way through the national anthem. Of course, people were up in arms about it, but it was a good reaction as a heel. But there were National Guard people in the building that took
exception to it, and I understand that fully”
Finlay was re-hired by WWE in 2012.
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