10 Controversial WWE Releases
7. Jim Ross, 2013
Jim Ross’ release from WWE was announced in September 2013 after the legendary announcer’s retirement from the company. Or at least, that’s what his former employers would like you to think.
Despite what WWE’s statement said, it was later reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Ross’ departure had stemmed from the debacle that was the WWE 2K14 video game symposium and that his alleged retirement was only announced so as to allow him “to leave with dignity” whilst avoiding “a fan backlash” against the company.
Three weeks prior to his exit, Ross had hosted a symposium, promoting the imminent release of WWE 2K14 and involving a panel of wrestling greats such as Steve Austin, Mick Foley and Ric Flair. A script was supposed to have been followed, but ultimately things got out of control as a drunken Flair took the discussion in a direction that frankly didn’t fit the company’s intended narrative.
Flair may have been responsible, but Ross was deemed accountable, and after some 20 years of service to WWE, he was nudged out of the door for an issue that as well as being overblown, wasn’t even entirely his fault.