Drake Wuertz Making In-Ring Return After WWE Release

Controversial ex-WWE referee Drake Wuertz going back to his "Younger days" after release.

Drake Wuertz
WWE

Former WWE referee Drake Wuertz is returning to the ring as a wrestler following his recent release.

The 36-year-old confirmed as much on Instagram on Monday, stating that he is going "back to my 'Younger' days," having wrestled extensively as Drake Younger prior to signing with WWE in 2013.

Full details on the Take Down Trafficking event, which will feature a meet-and-greet session involving former WWE wrestlers Matt Morgan and Low-Ki, can be found via the link above.

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Wuertz was released from WWE on 19 May. While the NXT releases made that day were attributed to "budget cuts", the months prior to Wuertz's departure were mired with controversy, mostly due to the former NXT referee's vocal public support of the long-discredited QAnon conspiracy theory. Morgan, like Wuertz, is also connected to the Q-adjacent charity Operation Underground Railroad.

Fightful reported last week that several NXT wrestlers felt unsafe and uncomfortable around Wuertz, who was effectively banned from the Performance Center for a period of time earlier this year and is a known critic of COVID-19 vaccinations and mask use. April saw him call into a Seminole County Board of County Commissioners meeting to spread from an NXT television taping:-

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.