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Tank Toland, aka James D*ck, recently recalled how John Laurinaitis informed him that he was no longer needed by WWE.
Toland appeared on SmackDown between October 2005 and February 2006 alongside Chad Wicks, aka Chad D*ck. The duo, known as The D*cks, were let go by the company after they had a real-life fight backstage.
On the Cheap Heat Productions Podcast, Toland said Laurinaitis wanted both superstars to leave WWE after the incident:
"I think we went to Japan and then not too long after that we got let go, and because of, 'You can't be fighting. We're a publicly traded company. You can't be fighting,' and blah blah blah blah blah. It is what it is. It's Johnny Ace [John Laurinaitis] talking Johnny Ace words and wishing you the best in your future endeavors, blah blah blah." [58:00 – 58:23]
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The fight began after several WWE Superstars told Wicks to punch Toland as part of a hazing tradition. Wicks followed their instructions, prompting Toland to retaliate.
The D*cks received a phone call from John Laurinaitis
WWE's former Head of Talent Relations called Chad Wicks and Tank Toland shortly after the backstage altercation occurred.
Although The D*cks did not want to fight each other, Laurinaitis thought they went too far and needed to face punishment.
"It was a three-way call," Toland continued. "Chad was on wherever he was. It was a conference call. He's like, 'The gimmick's not exactly taking off the way it should.' Nothing I hadn't already been worried about from the start, like I told you, and then he's like, 'And you know, you guys really can't be fighting each other. We're a publicly traded company. You're in another country. It just doesn't look good.'" [58:28 – 58:52]
Toland added that Laurinaitis said the door would be open for the tag team to possibly go back to WWE one day. However, 17 years on, neither superstar has returned.
What are your thoughts on John Laurinaitis? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit the Cheap Heat Productions Podcast and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
