A former WWE name has opened up about his release from the company earlier this year, saying he’s still “annoyed and frustrated” by it.
Mike Chioda served as a referee for WWE from 1989 until he was released in April 2020 as part of the company’s COVID-19 cost-cutting measures.
Speaking on Mailbag Monday with Mike Chioda, he said:
“I can’t say Vince didn’t reciprocate loyalty. Vince, Linda, Shane and Stephanie gave me loyalty for 35 years. I don’t know where the loyalty went at this point, but it is very disappointing. They couldn’t find a spot somewhere to let me retire after all these years in the best company, the only company I ever been with in 35 years? For 35 years, I always thought this company did it the right way in the professional wrestling business around the world. To be honest with you, it breaks my heart a little bit. I’m annoyed and frustrated why I couldn’t finish off my career. If they wanted me to retire in six months, I would have said yeah. ‘Hey, we’re going to need you doing this over here or training referees or mopping floors.’ Whatever. I don’t know if it really came from Vince. I can’t honestly say it did, but it happened. It’s a little frustrating.”
Since being let go by WWE, Chioda has refereed a couple of big matches for AEW, namely Cody Rhodes vs Scorpio Sky for the TNT Title and Orange Cassidy vs Chris Jericho on August 12, then the TNT Title match between Rhodes and Darby Allin at Full Gear on November 7.
Quote via WrestlingNews.co
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