5 WWE Superstars who were fired for shocking reasons

WWE is a very special job, one unlike any other in the world.

Every wrestling fan will have at one point or another dreamt of working for the company, and getting to one day hold a championship inside the biggest wrestling promotion in the world.

And for a select few, they will get to achieve that dream, and will one day sign a contract with WWE.

Whilst WWE may not be like any other job, the all-too-familiar prospect of being fired exists in the company, much like any other profession.

And whilst countless people, both those seen on-screen and those behind the scenes have been given the pink slip by WWE, some have been fired for the strangest of reasons.

Here are five WWE Superstars who were fired, and the shocking reasons why they got the chop.

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#5 Too ugly/Didn't fit in - Manu

Manu drew the ire of his 'mentor' Randy Orton.

No, we're not talking about Manchester United, the English soccer team, we're talking about Manu, the son of Afa of the Wild Samoans, who briefly appeared on Monday Night RAW.

Joining the red brand in 2008, Manu was a part of Legacy, and joined with other second and third generation stars such as Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Orton.

And whilst Rhodes, DiBiase and Orton would all go on to have varying degrees of success, Manu was booted from the group, reportedly at Orton's request, and whilst Orton said it was because Manu didn't fit in, many have claimed that the Viper found him to be too ugly.

Granted that Manu did not have the same chiselled look of the other three, though the powerhouse could've still done plenty if given the chance.

Unfortunately for Manu, he wasn't, and was released from the company not long after.

#4 Not being Straightedge - Serena Deeb

Despite being fired, Deeb would return to the WWE years later.

For those of you who may not be aware, the Straightedge lifestyle is one that abstains from drinking, smoking or drug use.

In WWE, it is most commonly associated with CM Punk, who in 2010 formed his own society of loyal devotees to him and straightedge.

Not long into the group though, Serena Deeb, the only female member of the time was fired from the company.

This was because Deeb was only playing a straightedge character, and in real life enjoyed a drink, and was spotted several times doing just that.

Whilst she was fired from WWE, Deeb refused to let this be the end of her, and after years on the indies, returned as part of the inaugural Mae Young Classic, before signing as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center.

#3 Illegally selling WWE Merchandise - Earl Hebner

Hebner definitely crossed the line in 2005, when he stole and sold WWE merchandise.

Whilst he may not be a wrestler, Earl Hebner is still one of the most iconic men in WWE.

As part of the infamous Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997, Hebner was no stranger to controversy during his tenure with the company.

The final straw for Hebner though, came in 2005, when he was found to have been selling WWE merchandise behind the company's back, either knock-off merch, or legitimate merch he had stolen from them.

Obviously, WWE didn't take this well, and fired the legendary referee immediately, though he would later find a role in TNA.

Given his position as the most famous and recognisable referee in WWE history, it's likely Hebner was on good money, making many question why he would jeopardise all that to make a few extra bucks.

#2 Too short to wrestle The Undertaker - Hade Vansen

Vansen was only seen in WWE once, in 2008, before being released by the company.

Hade Vansen was truly a blink and you'd miss him Superstar in WWE.

A true mystery, Vansen's only appearance on WWE Television came via a promo where he spoke cryptically, though it was clear who he aimed to be as his first victim: The Undertaker.

Unfortunately for Vansen, and the fans he acquired during the brief segment, this would be his only WWE appearance, as he would never appear in person, and was fired not long after.

Speaking years later in an interview, Vansen said his departure came when Vince McMahon saw him in person and said he was too short to go toe-to-toe with the Phenom of the WWE.

Instead, Vansen was let go, and his career in WWE remains one of many 'what if' scenarios.

#1 Drunk fighting Brock Lesnar - Mr. Perfect

Hennig was part of the incredible Plane Ride From Hell, which saw many Superstars act inappropriately.

Curt Hennig may have been known as Mr. Perfect on-screen, but on a certain trip in 2002, the former Intercontinental Champion was far from the ideal.

A part of the infamous 'Plane Ride From Hell', the journey to England saw many members of the WWE roster at the time get absolutely wasted, and amongst other incidents, Hennig decided to fight the rookie Brock Lesnar.

During the scuffle to determine who was the better amateur fighter, Perfect and The Beast brushed against the emergency exit, which could've been highly dangerous for all onboard.

Livid, McMahon fired Hennig not long after, who would sadly die the next year, and was inducted posthumously by his son (Curtis Axel) and his family into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.