WWE Rumor Roundup - Braun Strowman to AEW speculation, Internal investigation against Superstar, Company blasted for firing veteran and more - 18th August 2020

#3. Chris Jericho blasts WWE for firing Mike Chioda

Mike Chioda was released from the WWE on April 15, 2020, along with various other talents and backstage personnel. The veteran referee was the longest-tenured employee in the WWE before his release, and the ouster was a genuine shocker.

Chioda recently made his AEW debut to officiate the TNT title match between Cody and Scorpio Sky as well as the AEW Dynamite main event contest between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy.

On the recent edition of Chris Jericho's Saturday Night Special live Q&A session, the former AEW World Champion opened up about Mike Chioda's AEW debut.

Jericho noted that while Chioda hasn't signed a full-time deal with the company, the contract should be signed sooner rather than later.

Le Champion then went on to blast the WWE for firing Chioda, who was with the WWE for 35 years. Jericho was critical about WWE's decision to let Chioda go and said that it was a shameful decision.

Here's what Jericho revealed:

"Cody and I had talked about having Mikey come in… We were thinking, like, maybe we should try to bring him in. I mean, we asked Tony Khan [and he said], 'But it's the middle of a pandemic, and bringing in a new referee when we've got referees. But I always said that when the time is right, let's bring him in for a big match."

"I mean, come on, seriously? 35 years the dude has been at your company and you're going to fire him? Besides the fact that the dude is a great guy and such a talented performer, and can run the whole backstage, but after 35 years, what's he supposed to do? Go get a job at freaking 7 Eleven? Like, shame on you WWE." H/t WrestlingInc