WWE News Roundup - Retired star gets medical clearance after eight years, 4-Time champion from RAW almost fired, Idea for Vince McMahon to lead major faction (February 25th, 2022)

#4. Rhea Ripley says she was almost fired from WWE

Like many wrestlers, Rhea Ripley didn't have it easy in the WWE as she also had a rough start in the company.

The former RAW Women's Champion revealed during an appearance on "My Love Letter To Wrestling" that she was close to getting released from WWE on multiple occasions in the past.

Ripley was in a tough spot mentally as she struggled with issues in her professional and personal life. The Australian star was told she "was not good enough" and was also one of the names "on the chopping block," as revealed below by Ripley herself:

"A lot of things really. It was sort of the whole year between the Mae Young Classic I and II. I went through a lot mentally behind the scenes. I was having troubles at home. I was having troubles at work. I hated myself. I was very mentally weak at that time. I just didn't feel like I was good enough. I was constantly being told that I wasn't good enough, and I had to do something to improve it. I was on the chopping block a couple times and nearly got booted." [H/T WrestlingNews]

Rhea Ripley made significant changes to her on-screen presentation to become one of the most unique talents in the entire female division, which eventually helped her rise up the card.

---

#3. RETRIBUTION members pitched an idea to have Vince McMahon as their leader

RETRIBUTION had a short and forgettable run in the WWE even though the faction debuted amidst great hype. Shane Thorne, f.k.a. Slapjack, revealed that they pitched several names for the group's leader, and one of them was none other than the WWE boss.

The faction's members wanted an established name to be introduced as their chief, and there isn't a more prominent name around than Vince McMahon himself. In addition to the WWE Chairman's name, Shane McMahon and Edge were also in the running to become the face of RETRIBUTION.

"We pitched ideas to have a lot of different people as the leader like Shane McMahon, Edge, or someone higher. We pitched for Vince to be the leader as well. We went as high as possible with who the leader would be. We wanted to be attached with one of the main characters. I guess, at the start, we were. We were doing stuff with Bray Wyatt and The Hurt Business. The only direction we really got was after we did something. We got a lot of creative freedom in that, to an extent. 'Be like this,' then we'd do it, 'sort of not like that.' It was very trial and error, and I think they got bored of it, honestly," revealed Shane Thorne. H/T Fightful

The creative team eventually went ahead with Mustafa Ali as the group's head, and Shane Thorne said they were delighted after getting informed about the creative plan.

Sadly for all the performers, the RETRIBUTION angle failed to take off, and many of them, including Shane Thorne, are no longer even in the WWE.