In a short statement on their website, notably lacking their usual ‘wish them well in all their future endeavours’ line, the company announced:
“WWE has come to terms on the release of Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore).”
Daniel Bryan then had to announce later that night Amore had “abdicated” his Cruiserweight Championship and that he’ll no longer be part of 205 Live.
#SDLive GM @WWEDanielBryan announces that #205Live will get a brand-new General Manager NEXT WEEK, and that person will address the #Cruiserweight Championship situation. pic.twitter.com/0JR662P0ZR
— WWE (@WWE) January 24, 2018
So what changed in that 24 hour period to go from a suspension while the police carry out their investigation, to fully firing Amore? According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, the real reason Enzo was released is because he didn’t tell WWE about the allegations:
I was told this morning that Enzo Amore was aware of the allegations and didn't clue WWE in.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 23, 2018
While Bryan Alvarez claimed on Wrestling Observer Live that Enzo was actually fired on Monday, but WWE announced it as a suspension.
Journalist David Bixenspan referenced this against the ongoing investigation:
https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/955884474516099073
When asked about the possibility that Enzo didn’t know about the allegations either, Bixenspan explained:
https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/955885604927102976
Enzo has now made a statement denying the allegations through his attorney:
“Over the last two days, Philomena Sheahan has made multiple public accusations against Eric Arndt (also known as Enzo Amore with the WWE), including allegations of sexual misconduct concerning an October 2017 incident in Phoenix. Mr. Arndt fully and unequivocally denies those accusations. He is cooperating with the authorities in this matter and looks forward to having it resolved in a timely manner. Neither Mr. Arndt nor his counsel will be making any further public comments on this matter.”
— REAL1 (FKA Enzo Amore) (@real1) January 24, 2018
Possibly in support of Enzo’s innocence, a YouTuber called Sam Cook, who claims Amore’s accuser Philomena was his “best friend for almost 2 years”, has posted a video saying her sexual assault allegations are a cover up to get her out of trouble with her father and roommates – who would be very angry if they found out she had taken drugs. Cook also shows a text message that he claims to be from Philomena that reads:
“Believe it or not b**** it happened & I’m laying in bed next to a famous wrestler”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6nWlaKRCQI
Fightful, who have been doing a brilliant job on reporting the Enzo story, “did verify the nature of Cook’s relationship with Sheahan being close, although volatile in recent weeks”.
According to PWInsider, before he was suspended on Monday, Enzo was “was originally slated to wrestle Goldust at last night’s Raw 25 event” in the show’s third hour. This would break down when Amore’s Zo-Train faction got involved, for the Dudley Boys to come out for the save and put someone through a table. This spot was reportedly rewritten as the eventual Titus Worldwide vs Heath Slater and Rhyno match just hours before the show went on an air.
6 years ago by Luke Owen
@ThisisLukeOwen
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