Backstage Update On WWE Taking Legal Action Against Rhyno And Impact Wrestling

Just who was that mysterious masked man with the impressive spear at this month's Slammiversary PPV?

by Andrew Pollard
Rhyno gets fired
WWE

When a mystery, masked solid-set fella with a wicked spear debuted at Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary PPV earlier this month, many presumed that this was clearly the famed Man Beast, Rhyno. But wait, how could that be possible when the former ECW Champion was still under contract with WWE… ?

Of course, this mysterious figure remained unmasked during his attack on Michael Elgin, yet it was clear to anyone with a set of eyes that this was indeed Rhyno. As such, many were wondering if WWE would be pursuing legal action against a contracted talent appearing on an Impact PPV.

In an update on this, Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that WWE is highly unlikely to take any action against Rhyno or Impact Wrestling. One would have to think, given his good relationship with WWE and the minimal days left on his contract at the time, WWE is prepared to give Rhyno a pass on this one.

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For what it’s worth, the 43-year-old veteran’s contract officially expired this past Wednesday, and he’s already been advertised for three upcoming shows that Impact Wrestling is putting on with Championship Wrestling From Hollywood on August 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Interestingly, the August 4th date is booked as an Impact TV taping – meaning we’ll likely see Rhyno officially on Impact television as he looks to continue his burgeoning rivalry with Michael Elgin.

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Senior Writer
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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.