10 Unusual Ways To Lose Your Job With WWE

9. Sell Knockoff Merchandise

Both Earl Hebner and his twin brother Dave joined WWE in the late 1980s, becoming trusted members of the company's staff. Though both men started off as referees, a knee injury forced Dave to transition to a career as a road agent. Still, both men contributed to the company throughout the 1990s, with Earl actually helping Vince McMahon execute the Montreal Screwjob.

Earl became the company's senior referee and participated in storylines in the early 2000s, and eventually, his son Brian was hired to officiate on SmackDown. In July 2005, though, Earl and Dave were both abruptly fired from WWE. It turned out that Earl was a partner in a St. Louis-based sports shop that was selling unlicensed WWE merchandise, and Dave was also involved.

Shortly after the brothers were released, Brian left the company. Earl Hebner has since denied that there was any wrongdoing on his part, and has claimed that all of the merchandise moved through the store was legal. Then again, he also swore to Bret Hart that nothing funny was afoot at the 1997 Survivor Series, so take his word for what it's worth.