10 Most Controversial WWE Firings Ever
WWE isn't afraid of courting controversy. It also isn't afraid of firing pregnant women.
WWE is a business. The world's largest professional wrestling company may well be in the business of entertaining millions of fans around the world, but the desires and wants of its so-called WWE Universe are second to those of its shareholders, of its investors. The bottom line of the bank balance is what drives WWE.
With big business comes difficult decisions, especially when it comes to the hiring and firing of talent. Vince McMahon and company have a fairly wretched track record on the latter, often releasing large numbers of performers at a time, creating a working environment that runs on fear and insecurity. Other times, the company fires a performer for saying a word that rubs the boss up the wrong way.
The operative term here is 'fickle', but it isn't as if WWE has ever really denied being so. The slavish dedication to profit margins and dollar signs means nothing is off-limits. You can be fired for getting pregnant, you can be fired for the misdemeanours of your lover, you can be fired for confronting racism. You can be fired on your wedding day, on your honeymoon. Any time, any place, any reason.
WWE isn't afraid of controversy, and it certainly isn't afraid of looking like the bad guy.
10. Charlie And Jackie Haas
In the summer of 2005, the big rumour in the pro wrestling world was that Brock Lesnar was on his way back to WWE. The Beast Incarnate wasn't going to be coming for chump change, so Vince McMahon made it abundantly clear that he was going to make some roster cuts in order to balance the books, should Brock decide that the squared circle was where he was supposed to be.
In July of that same year, 18 performers were released by WWE. Some were veterans, others were rookies, but two just so happened to be a newly-wed couple returning from their honeymoon. Charlie and Jackie Haas (formerly Jackie Gayda) had just completed a two-week jaunt celebrating their newly-legally bound relationship when they were served with termination papers and wished the best on their future endeavours.
Stay classy, WWE!
To make matters worse, the whole cost-cutting measure was another false step by the company, as Brock Lesnar didn't return until 2014. Charlie and Jackie Haas weren't exactly indispensable to WWE but both had plenty to offer, be it in the ring or outside, especially at a time when WWE had no interest in bringing in experienced talent from the independents.