Popular ex-WWE star says he got fired three months after signing new deal

Modified Jul 04, 2024 15:04 GMT

The WWE roster often undergoes changes [Image Credit: wwe.com] — The WWE roster often undergoes changes [Image credit: wwe.com]

WWE often releases wrestlers due to budget cuts and issues with how quickly they are progressing. In a recent interview, Maven recalled how he reacted to getting fired by the company.

In 2001, Maven earned a WWE contract after winning the Tough Enough reality show. The three-time Hardcore Champion spent four years on the main roster before receiving his release in 2005. Two decades on, he has amassed an impressive 432k subscribers on his Maven Huffman YouTube channel.

On Developmentally Speaking, Maven revealed he did not expect to get let go by WWE so soon after signing a new deal:

"Nah. Nah, I signed a new contract like three months before. Three months before they s**t-canned me, I had literally signed a three-year extension. How the hell could I see it coming? Yeah, no, it was a shock." [42:48 – 43:07]

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Maven is arguably best known for eliminating The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble Match. He also defeated The Deadman to win the Hardcore Championship.

Why WWE released Maven

Although he made a promising start to his WWE career, Maven did not become a main-eventer during his time with the company.

The 47-year-old added that he was handed his release because those in charge at the time felt he had not improved enough:

"They didn't say budget cuts," Maven continued. "They said I just wasn't progressing at the level that they saw fit. And I used to tell them. I'd be like, 'Listen, you guys haven't even tapped into what might skills are.' My skills are talking. I used to tell them. I'd be like, 'Listen, I'm never gonna be the wrestler that Hunter [Triple H] or [Chris] Jericho or an [Randy] Orton is, but I can talk with any of them. I guarantee you that.'" [43:15 – 43:43]

Maven wrestled over 300 matches and appeared in several backstage interviews. However, he rarely received opportunities to cut lengthy promos in front of live audiences.

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Please credit Developmentally Speaking and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.