10 Wrestlers Who Allegedly Got Other Wrestlers FIRED

4. Randy Orton / Mr. Kennedy

Randy Orton Mr Kennedy
WWE.com

Mr. Kennedy was not particularly popular amongst his peers.

He had an abrasive and cocky disposition, was pushed very hard and very early, which never helps, and he was considered awkward - at best - to work with. He reckons that he refused to "feed" in the customary WWE manner because it didn't look realistic, which, fair. It wasn't going to get him over in the back, and there's a way of navigating the WWE style to make it feel more immersive without being stubborn about it, but still: a not irrational thought process. It's how he realised this that f*cked his reputation.

At times, when he was about to take a chop for example, he'd cover his chest. He wouldn't wear a wincing expression to convey that he was too pained to defend himself; the opponent would have to forcibly remove the forearm and then do the move. If Kennedy sought to capture the beauty of the struggle, he failed. This often just looked clunky.

When awkward became dangerous, in May 2009, Kennedy was released. He blamed Orton for complaining to management when Kennedy dropped him on his head following a belly-to-back suplex. Kennedy initially claimed Orton jumped "really, really hard" but later accepted full responsibility.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!