8 Wrestlers Fired By WWE After Major PPVs

6. Ken Patera (Survivor Series '88)

Big Cass Money In The Bank 2018
WWE.com

With over ten years on his WWE odometer by the autumn of 1988, there was no question that former Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera was long hatched from the egg.

The one-time member of the Heenan Family was pushing 50 and found his arm encumbered be a hefty brace following a nasty biceps injury, but theoretically still maintained a degree of residual popularity. Just a year prior, he'd appeared in the main event of the inaugural Survivor Series as part of Hulk Hogan's victorious team, and his babyface turn against his double-crossing manager had ended in a dramatic MSG sellout.

Yet higher ups had decided it was time to put Patera out to pasture - and made no secret of it. As the veteran strongman succumbed to a string of defeats to up-and-comers such as The Red Rooster and One Man Gang, WWE's commentary team were brutally honest in suggesting Patera's powers were in permanent decline.

They concluded retirement was probably the best thing for him. The company helped bring about Patera's premature retreat by letting him go immediately following his match at Survivor Series '88.

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Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.