10 Seriously CONTROVERSIAL WWE Releases

From Matt and Jeff Hardy to Chyna and CM Punk, these are 10 Seriously CONTROVERSIAL WWE Releases.
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Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, NXT and 205 Live), AEW, IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, lists, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

Jim Ross firing for Ric Flair getting drunk makes no sense

[@dstaple3]

Especially when he could've been fired over the Plane Ride From Hell

[@davidchu2001]

vince literally just looking for excuses

[@bigdarby2830]

They accused him of also being drunk

[@mickey912]

Ric flair allegedly also asked the flight attendant to touch his junk etc. woo woo

[@jsmith3946]

@@mickey912 no it was a misunderstanding they where headed to florida and he has her if she wanted to ride space mountain with him he was talking about disneyland she is the one that got it mixed up

[@jdog7673]

Matt Hardy being fired because he was mad he got cheated on is one of the more underrated wwe stupid decisions

[@jdog7673]

@@mgtwrestling123 people dont really talk about how stupid it was to fire matt for that reason

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

@@mgtwrestling123 a lot of new fans never saw that incident; and the ones who did would use the equivalent of "work" and "mark", to describe the incident and the fans' reaction. We will never know just how much of a work this was, since Matt was released. It is like 15 yrs later, give or take a few.

[@JDee1013]

AND let’s not forget(people allllways forget), the cheater and new lover were REWARDED no less, with tv time and a championship gold top spot. 🤦🏼‍♂️ No justice.

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

@@mgtwrestling123 “sometimes” as in “why are we taking a break from talking about that injustice”

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

@@mgtwrestling123 never move on

[@AlexAttempts]

Finlay’s release always seemed harsh. It was designed to get heat and got it. Job well done.

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

The sad part was that Finley would've been fired for not doing the assignment; there were numerous instances where sports entertainers were released for going off script. May those servicemen find it in their hearts to forgive Fit Finley.

[@ananyaraizada7657]

He's working with WWE even now. It was only a damage control to show everyone that they respect the nation

[@Dem0nDaddy]

As Saudi Arabia shenanigans will show, don't f**k with government contracts / partnerships

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

So I found out there’s laws about these things. The idea’s the same in every country

[@JacksonLane02]

The fact that Matt Hardy got released due to his comments about Edge's and Lita's raised and WWE used it to raise the heelness for Edge and Lita was brilliant. Had Matt Hardy not been released and not made the comments then I feel like Edge's and Lita's heel heat wouldn't be as huge as it was

[@ryancox6059]

Edge was the only real winner in that whole scenario, lita got bullied and shamed, Matt lost his job, girlfriend and supposed friend, Edge won titles and made history.

[@johnlane5704]

@@mgtwrestling123 having the audience yell " slut" and " whore" is a positive thing?

[@CaptVitaGamer]

@@mgtwrestling123 the fans and WWE itself.

[@johnlane5704]

@@mgtwrestling123 you asked who bullied and shamed her. I was only answering your question

[@johnlane5704]

@@mgtwrestling123 yes ask away

[@Wellwellwell32]

How in the hell didn't mickey James make this list with the whole trash bag situation? It was one of the biggest stories not only in wrestling but even elsewhere in the news.

[@sodokami6347]

Oh god Trash bag James the memories 😬

[@adamhanscom6804]

Probably because they also sent everybody else's belongings to them in trash bags but she was the only one that had a problem with it

[@sizablekoala6879]

@@adamhanscom6804 Doesn't that actually make it a bigger deal that they treat so many of their employees like that?

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

Dawn Marie firing while getting pregnent was awful one

[@melissaroszkowski8911]

going to keep thanking you for Chyna being mentioned. Especially given the bs with the McMahon family

[@nishanthsurendran7721]

I think letting go of Jeff Hardy was a good decision from WWE.

[@macipod00]

Definitely. He should of stayed away from the business but look at him now. Smh. I feel like he's gonna be the next ric flair

[@nishanthsurendran7721]

@@macipod00 Yeah man. It was bad enough to watch him at Victory Road. I was glad that he apparently cleaned up his act after that. But the recent developments have been just disheartening. It is probably one of the few occasions when I can wholeheartedly say that the WWE had no choice and was right to release someone.

[@macipod00]

@@nishanthsurendran7721 and it doesn't make it better that all his fans are enablers like fuck I dont hate Jeff its just time foe him to take accountability for his actions

[@m1j1browning]

I personally would never have hired him anywhere after Victory Road, but I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say they “had no choice” but to fire him because he acted a bit weird at a house show rather than waiting for the test results.

[@bhhdty2272]

Definitely Jeff in any other promotion than wwe always scares me as I feel like it almost always goes bad. Ik he had his troubles in wwe but they seemed to always manage it or punish him immediately.

[@pyd2215]

Some Americans in particular seem to have an utterly psychotic relationship towards the anthem and flag

[@VileSyndicxte]

It's not controversial enough to make a list, but Brad Maddox getting fired for calling the WWE Universe "cocky pricks" in a dark match was petty. Especially when Vince McMahon dropped an F-bomb on live TV, like, a week later. (EDIT: Removed topic of leaked sex video.)

[@BubbRubbWooWoo]

Those timelines do not match up, buddy.

[@VileSyndicxte]

@@BubbRubbWooWoo Yeah, I believe I'm incorrect with the time frame. Because, it was the _recording_ that happend at during that time, but it wasn't actually leaked until, what, around '17 or so? My mistake. Still, petty af.

[@toms.a.savage7232]

Curt Hennig was a well-documented prankster. The best story I heard was there was a party at Road Warrior Animal's house with a lot of wrestlers there. Suddenly, Animal sees the training potty his infant son was using have a huge turd in it. He then proceeded to show it off and remark on how proud he is that his son is not only learning to use a toilet but is producing "impressive" dumps to boot. What nobody knew was that Curt took a shit in the training potty just to see the reaction.

[@youngdolo8]

Seeing a dump like that in a potty must surely have caused some red flags to fly?

[@stevegallo8483]

WWF did Chyna dirty with how the got rid of her. I'm convinced it was because of Hunter and Stephanie.

[@SomeOfTheJuice]

I love all three of the wrestlers involved in the Matt/Lita/Edge love triangle despite hating what happened, but man, WWE screwed over Matt not only in terms of firing him for being upset over his girlfriend cheating with is best friend (who, as a reminder, was also married at the time), but also made him lose the feud, which makes no sense to do. Edge wasn't even champion at the time, so it wasn't like they had to put him over to give credence to his title reign. Like I love all of them and am glad that time healed the wounds, especially between Matt and Edge who seem to be good friends again, but WWE made the dumbest calls thought all of it. Trying to present Matt as the bad guy in a lot of it, despite Edge and Lita absolutely being in the wrong and straight up admitting they were wrong and apologizing to Matt and Lisa Ortiz, Edge's then-wife, pretty incessantly, makes no sense and really is a prime example of WWE absolutely not understanding what actual people are like and who would make sense to have as the faces and the heels.

[@toms.a.savage7232]

What makes this whole feud fucked up is the fact that Lita felt obligated to do this in order for Matt to keep his job and Edge to keep his main event push while being vilified as a whore and disgusting skank until her first exit. What she and Edge did was 100% wrong, but it really felt like only Lita got the short end of the stick between the whole storyline.

[@mycahjofficial]

*The company did Matt Hardy so dirty in 2005. I mean the guy was going through a rough break up and he was dealing with a severe knee injury and all the sudden he gets fired because he had the right to speak his mind (screw you John Laurinaitis)? Thankfully he got his job back even though he was made to look like a complete joke throughout his feud with Edge.*

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

True . Matt Hardy was damn underrated

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

@@tamzidmohsinkhan3333 you can find Matt Hardy on AEW, and it appears he has found a way to get TV time, in his renewed feud with Christian, of all people.

[@KevinLuper99]

@@spokenwordillusions5756 damn I need to catch up

[@Titanium1208]

The tn was cut off at NEWS: Matt Hardy has been- and I was terrified for a second

[@michaeldennistooley4271]

Good for Dawn Marie WWE is about the most kiss ass organization you could imagine. She was wrongly treated and got compensated and doesn't need to go back there ever ✌️🕊️

[@Nbflowers1989]

6:20 fun goof up on the editors part. COME ON, SAM/ ANDREW/ DAN/ RICHARD!! (I typed that out using the shift method.)

[@newelljoseph5060]

Enzo Amore was screwed heavily by WWE. Fired under false allegations that he himself had no idea he was under. Rich Swann, Joe Coffey, Jordan Devlin, & Matt Riddle, accused of similar things only got suspended indefinitely until things were cleared up while Enzo as Cruiser-weight Champion was stripped and outright fired even though he was proven innocent. Then the same thing happened to Nick Carter, NXT Tag Champ stripped and fired instead of suspended indefinitely, same with Jack Gallagher, Velveteen Dream, Ligero & Travis Banks

[@chadczternastek]

Enzo Amore is absolutely the funniest dude on the WWE roster. I loved his shit.

[@Dr.AaronPyxis]

Enzo was a locked room cancer so I’m sure WWE was just looking for a reason at that point

[@jacknelson927]

This is what wwe does and also other jobs out there in the world they’ll fire u without knowing the actual truth when false accusations thrown out there it’s somehow automicslly true the person gets fired and so on it’s a joke these people who false accuse u of these crimes should do jail time themselves

[@caseybillings9685]

That Finlay release is laughable. Be good at your job and get fired. Okay.

[@logankerr8090]

them getting rid of the Fiend still gets me. i mean what in the F*ck were they thinking? he was making them alot of money& was one of the best characters in a while

[@ajtheva6694]

honestly when I found out Keith Lee got released after finding out he almost died... that was it... that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. Vince is an idiot and wouldn't know talent if it slapped him on the back of the head.

[@indianagent6980]

Hey WWE wanted to release him months ago ..but just because of his critical health issue...WWE decided to first let his treatment done ...& Then after that they released him

[@theashenogre8948]

funny because Keith Lee doesn't have much talent other than eating. That's why he's in a tag team for AEW and mainly appears on KZbin

[@KevinLuper99]

@@theashenogre8948 anime pfp

[@theashenogre8948]

@@KevinLuper99 It's a Video Game Pfp. Smdh. Also funny you mention it when Keith Lee watches anime

[@DanRPGMan]

Bray Wyatt Selling merchandise like crazy and being over with the majority of fans yet after his release some people talked how he was too difficult, too overweight. We'll probably really never know the truth but people who worked directly with Bray have said he's a pleasure to work with such as Alexa Bliss. To come out and say he's difficult after not hearing that being the case for the majority of his career sounds like a ploy from WWE.

[@robwasilewski9273]

So many wrestlers releases lately that it's hard to keep track of. Some of the wrestlers have been treated unfair

[@davela79]

I wonder if Dawn's 2007 payout was 7.5 million

[@headp3]

Kinda sad you guys didn't mention the Mickey James garbage bag incident.

[@TheThird1977]

Even if Jeff was clean during the December 2021 match, he was still unprofessional in just walking out of the main event and NOT being under the influence of anything at the time makes it worse.

[@mkproductions2.042]

Yeah it's sad. He also now probably has arthritus too. I can tell.

[@ZARK0_]

eh, walking out of a 6 man tag main event at a house show is unprofessional (if not due to an injury) but its not worse than being under the influence

[@rogregg29445]

Exactly

[@TheThird1977]

@@ZARK0_ It's worse because that was a sober decision to intentionally be unprofessional. People paid money to see him. His colleagues trusted him to contribute. If he was under the influence you could at least point to that being a mitigating factor, but he was clear-headed.

[@sizablekoala6879]

Honestly, I'm surprised he still has a career after all these years. I still remember hearing about the TNA PPV main event when he showed up high.

[@garyskadra5236]

How about when Mickie James was fired & they packed up her belongings in a trash bag. Nia Jax also getting fired when she was taking a mental health day.

[@ShinyMew76]

Bray Wyatt’s release still hurts

[@sirvisse]

Definetly an honourable mention would be firing Serena Deeb for ... not being the gimmick in real life. Like: wtf, you cast someone as straight edge that isn't and the poor girl takes a drink ON A DAY OFF - smack: sorry, you're gone!

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

I doubt Undertaker is really undead irl

[@logankerr8090]

whats funny is Edge&Matt are friends again & are both happily married and has kids, while Lita is still single.

[@ShoaibKhan-wv8zc]

what about Bray Wyatt,Braun Strowman

[@mjstory1976]

Absolutely nothing controversial about them

[@13Yeared]

Don't forget when Mickie James got released and they sent her her stuff in a trash bag.

[@lewis_g]

Jeff’s release was baffling to me cause everyone was saying it was the right decision and how they hope that Jeff recovers before ever returning but then literally just months later he was in aew and everyone just forgot why he was released in the first place

[@jacknelson927]

Did u forget to mention now last month he’s done it again drink driving and still getting away no sympathy for Jeff whatsoever

[@lewis_g]

@@jacknelson927 Yh that aswell but I remember when he debuted in aew and I just shook my head in disappointment while literally everyone else celebrated. It’s bizarre to me that aew would sign him in his current state

[@Stratta2003]

@@lewis_g because they wanted the cheap pop or reuniting the hardy boys

[@GradeAMolvanian]

And yet Vince is still there, and Jonny Ace only JUST got booted off

[@josiahboatengmyrie]

I mean Vince is a McMahon he’s never going down

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

@@josiahboatengmyrie Vegas is accepting wagers on whether Vince gets axed. Would you like to place a bet? If you guess correctly, you can a HUGE killing. But before you place that wager, see what the Vegas line is.

[@joshkeller4780]

@@spokenwordillusions5756 I’d bet on Vince, not even the federal court could take him down, WCW almost did… but they failed too.

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

@@joshkeller4780 let Vegas know how much you will wager. The current line is 27-8

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

Jeff Hardy got fired for multiple times . So nothing new

[@crazyman7671]

"Vince Mcmahon's Empire" Yeah...about that..

[@jamierhunt7725]

Jim Ross is one of the most memorable people in the history of wrestling and Vince is bogus for firing him.

[@matthewhill3098]

Shouldn't the phone say Charlie and Jackie not Mike and Maria?

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

WWE completely did Chyna dirty & ruined her life . RIP

[@MrBrownsugar85]

I remember the dawn marie one when it happened, that was cold lol

[@pantherhd1]

Of course Vince gonna pick his family over a wrestler most times

[@wilsonchadbenitez3021]

I was just listening to Vince, so this is an interesting vid 4 me

[@RickGamesNow]

Honestly, you can take Jeff Hardy off this list.

[@martinrubio6001]

Rip joanie laurer

[@JohnAnthonyChihakSoltero]

the Chyna release has a lot of back story to it. There have been reports/comments made that Triple H and Chyna were no longer together and not even living together when his relationship began with Stephanie. Either way, releasing someone in the middle of a contract negotiation is pretty petty.

[@mjstory1976]

She wanted way more money than she was worth. So really she deserved it

[@juliehankinson4891]

According to the DSOTR episode on the Plane Ride from Hell, Kurt Hennig was drugging guys on the flight; Hardly harmless ribbing.

[@bradcarver8127]

These releases were necessary. Hush money gotta come from somewhere.

[@crypticjim]

Hopefully junkie Jeff will be getting pinned in the prison yard from now on

[@martinrubio6001]

Rip curt Henning

[@Jhoncena22]

Pretty odd to mention the Hardy release and then say nothing about him getting a dui like 2 months later in AEW

[@pettyjones]

Jeff shouldn't be controversial considering his history

[@just_a_tepig3611]

6:21 "Mike & Maria Kan..." Funny editing mistake

[@Pastyovercoat]

So Dawn Marie left in 05? Pregnant ? Interesting 🤔

[@savathaflava]

I don't know if you are thinking what I am thinking. But yeah, that is weird

[@M1stah.J]

I think we are all thinking the same thing. 🤔

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

Who was the baby's father?

[@amazingwrestlingfactsandqu3699]

So Glad how the fans fought to bring back Matt Hardy and Daniel Bryan, wish the fight for Cm Punk succeeded..He is been misused by Tony Khan

[@juanconcepcion2219]

You forgot tj perkings cuz he was fired due to backstage behavior

[@marcus813]

I don't recall any controversy with that firing.

[@Serioussmile51]

Bret Hart?

[@woobgamer5210]

Considering this is Jeff Hardy we're talking about and months later he would be arrested for DUI, im willing to believe Jeff Hardy was lying about knowing the test would be negative and that he didnt take drugs. Cause ,this is the guy who went to a TNA show drunk and high and ruined a freaking match

[@markheckman2196]

And it's not hard to pass a drug test either.

[@iandude1]

You're well underselling what Jeff did with ruining a TNA match. It was a PPV main event and threw the whole end of the show into a cluster-****.

[@ZARK0_]

the test came back negative

[@ZARK0_]

@@markheckman2196 depends on how serious of a test it is

[@AnTunZee]

@@ZARK0_ he’s still a drunk drug addict

[@BFFR5150]

Maria was essentially no different than Dawn Marie being released except they waited until she actually gave birth to release her unlike Dawn.

[@thepalatrpro]

Hardy has been released by WWE. What’s this make it. The 17, 19th time?

[@Nbflowers1989]

Awesome list!

[@hhtptai]

Unfortunately, WWE was right to release Jeff this time. He ended up getting arrested again last month.

[@jacknelson927]

He should be in jail right now away from society before someone’s life gets taken away because of his idiotic drunk filled driving habits

[@reimixo]

@@jacknelson927 he might kill someone or himself driving or in the ring, he needs to BE locked in a rehab clinic

[@sizablekoala6879]

Does anyone honestly believe Vince claiming he didn't plan to have CM Punk firing mailed on his wedding day? It said overnight shipping. Plus they've firing women by throwing their stuff in trash bags.

[@Chigen_Atomic]

I thought the public negotiation was to gtfo of WWE. At least on his end. But trotting Gayda and Haas out for a statement does seem particularly cruel. With the pathological need to embarrass him as well, it's surprising they didn't trot JR out for a goofy and humiliating storyline and then fire him afterwards.

[@ethanprovost9887]

Nooooo matt

[@lightscameronreaction6860]

What about Bray Wyatt?

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

CM Punk will be in this list for sure

[@TheRealRehman]

Anybody else see the thumb nail and think "my god, my time machine worked!"

[@matty8952]

Man I’ll always miss tv-14 WWE, pg is too tame.☹️

[@franck5983]

Your wish is granted

[@heroinfatherrr]

you ask and shall recieve

[@tinotica]

How is Daniel Bryan not on here from 2010?

[@kimwaddell4218]

I don't remember Dawn Marie

[@martinrubio6001]

Finlay released i didnt know he got fired

[@tommyfraz.]

Jeff Hardy, really? Dude got lucky on a test, but obviously had a huge problem. WWE looks a lot better now, than a few months ago.

[@cosmictaint6072]

Think it’s about time for the hulkster to come back only a real American can beat a wild Samoan

[@taylorknippa6044]

Chyna wasn't as important as she thought she was

[@michaelroszell8156]

Have they released vacant yet!

[@codyboyle8336]

Lovely Sunday video

[@SellavinAtoms]

I know that Dawn Marie was going to be number one I mean no one has seen her face in 17 years it's a sad I liked her performance yes it was still the age of divas at bikini contest but I still like to and I still think what WWE did was unfair at least she got vindicated in the end all that money but then again an apology will probably help too after all these years I hope she at least get to Hall of Fame induction one day that's my wish.

[@cb4n409]

I feel like you should have mentioned Hardy's DUI a few months after he left WWE

[@ZARK0_]

feel like the fact he passed the drug test he got from the incident is more relevant

[@theashenogre8948]

​@@ZARK0_ So they say. They never showed definite proof of it now did they?

[@Monster_myron]

After all these hush money payouts, it would be awesome if Vince McMahon got released due to “budget cuts.” Ok take it easy! I know that would never happen but I’m allowed to fantasize right? 😂

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

A better word than "released" would be "incarcerated".

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

@@spokenwordillusions5756 if he gets incarcerated he’ll just come back as a secret general manager on the other side of the computer

[@jeffmiller4845]

Was Jeff being honest

[@daniellewolf3697]

Hate They(WWE) Released Them Over "Budget Cuts",Um Maria Was Released First In 2010 Cause Of Her Music Rights,SO She Was Released Twice

[@spokenwordillusions5756]

Music rights?

[@daniellewolf3697]

@@spokenwordillusions5756 OK In 2010 Maria Was Singing BUT WWE Wants Rights And She Refused

[@treqrs]

Americans are so sensitive 💀 If The Miz interrupted our anthem we would've boo'd and laughed it off 💀

[@TheSh4dowgale]

As an American, I agree. It's so stupid.

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

Then you’d realize there’s national anthem etiquette laws virtually identical in every country

[@BLCKSMTHApparel]

Nothing will top TNA actually firing their wrestlers, who we unaware, as part of their feast or fired gimmick match. TNA TNA TNA

[@jamondross8717]

Nice video bro

[@michaelcooke4333]

fit Finlay getting fired was stupid because a bunch babies didn't like their little song being interrupted

[@dstaple3]

Oh no, not America getting butt hurt over the National Anthem

[@VileSyndicxte]

Flag Code (National Anthem Etiquette) at sports games, concerts, funerals, etc., are practically the same in _every_ nation. "When the National Anthem is announced, there are several things to keep in mind: stand, remove your cap, face the flag, place your right hand over your heart, and sing along if appropriate. Don't talk, eat, or distract from the performance of the National Anthem." Just because you or I personally don't give a sh!t, I wouldn’t be dumb enough to think that would an acceptable action to interrupt and stop the playing of an anthem. Also, I don't think those individuals that raised their concerns are the Emperors of all the USA.

[@xlordofawesome]

"Controversial" LOL more like "Reasonable"

[@lonniehuey5737]

You WWE pays there superstars good money to perform this is not flipping burgers at McDonald's so if they want to release some one that's there right too .You don't see backlash when the NFL or NBA release some one who doesn't pan out so what's the difference?

[@Evan-dc6mt]

#10 - he got busted like two months later

[@paulcarpenter7844]

I heard Finley got fired because he let Alicia Fox go out there and fucked up

[@DatBeanNat]

Finlay getting released over Jingoistic bullshit was when I stopped giving a damn about WWE.

[@ananyaraizada7657]

He's still working with WWE. They only fired him as a damage control

[@AnTunZee]

I don’t understand how the drunk driving, drug addicted, Jeff hardy keeps getting second chances.

[@KingTruffles]

Yeah Jeff is one of my all time favorites but had this been anyone less popular they would’ve had a much hard time finding work

[@martymccrudden6542]

Perfect got released for pulling pranks and horseplay. Flair gets a slap on the wrist for sexual assault. Go figure.

[@multiyapples]

Honestly Finlay’s release is stupid.

[@martinrubio6001]

Maria now why her she was talented

[@lilpoetat]

Thanks 🙏

[@jsmith3946]

didn't mat get arrested for a dui after wwe the guy has a serious drug problem and proven time after time that he is not going to stop how he keeps getting major network deals is beyond me

[@martinrubio6001]

Jeff hardy is controversial when he got released

[@jacknelson927]

But it’s been proven right all along last month once again Jeff behind the wheel drunk

[@Yugiohdeckmaster41]

it funny jeff claimed up and down he clean then what little over 3 weeks to a month later maybe less he get pulled over for another dui and may face jail time the dude needs more help then what given for sure

[@jerranspearman3369]

good video