ContestsEvents

LISTEN LIVE

Drake Maverick, No Way Jose, Say Emotional Goodbyes To WWE Fans After Being Laid Off

Today, the WWE announced a round of layoffs and furloughs of staff members and wrestlers in a post on their official website. The furloughs are part of a financial restructuring…

WWE logo
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Today, the WWE announced a round of layoffs and furloughs of staff members and wrestlers in a post on their official website.

The furloughs are part of a financial restructuring that also includes reducing executives' salaries and pausing construction of a new headquarters, the company said in a press release. The cuts come despite the WWE being one of the only sports to hold live matches; Florida recently ruled the WWE to be an "essential service," and live televised shows returned to airwaves this week, minus the audience. According to CNN, was deemed "essential" because it is critical to Florida's economy.

Two of the wrestlers who were let go, Drake Maverick (real name: James Michael Curtin) said an emotional goodbye to fans in a video posted to social media today.

No Way Jose (real name: Levis Valenzuela Jr.) also said a sad farewell to fans, thanking everyone who cheered for him or booed for him.

Here's a list of the wrestlers who were laid off by the WWE:

Kurt Angle
Aiden English
Drake Maverick
Curt Hawkins
Karl Anderson
Luke Gallows
Heath Slater
EC3
Eric Young
Mess Rush
Lance Storm
Shane Helms
Dave Finlay
Scott Armstrong
Pat Buck
Sarah Stock
Shawn Davari
Billy Kidman
Scott Armstrong
Sarah Stock
Sarah Logan
Mike Chioda
The Colons

Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.