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It seems that Cain Velasquez broke a couple of unwritten rules in his short time with WWE.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez’s foray into pro wrestling came to an abrupt end a few days ago when he was released by WWE. He seemed to be a victim of coronavirus cutbacks, and that almost certainly was part of the reason that he was cut. But according to wrestling reporter Tom Colohue of Sportskeeda, there were apparently more factors at play than just cost-cutting measures.
Pro wrestling is a strange world, full of unwritten rules and strange protocols that would confuse almost anyone that’s not immersed in it. It seems that Velasquez made a few of what were deemed as “backstage mistakes”, and WWE wasn’t pleased about them. The first two were that he apparently didn’t disclose an injury when he signed, and he gave the impression that he was going to participating in an event that traditionally involves surprises. He essentially spoiled the surprise, so they pulled him:
“The WWE believed he was well aware of his injury when he signed the contract. That rubbed some people the wrong way. That’s something I’ve reported on before and something that’s really been quite public knowledge for a while. Then he announced that he was going to be in the Rumble. Where of course he wasn’t, in the end, in the Royal Rumble.”
Another issue was something that seems pretty simple, but was again viewed in a negative light. Velasquez went to WWE headquarters to talk some business, and posted a pic with fellow former UFC champ turned wrestler Ronda Rousey. No big deal, right? Again though, it was seen as spoiling a surprise to a degree:
“He was there to talk about plans for him, contract details going forward. He wasn’t supposed to let on that he was there. So firstly, he doesn’t say what he should be saying. Then he says what he shouldn’t be saying. And then he shows what he shouldn’t be showing.”
Colohue did make it clear that WWE liked what they saw from his training, and that he could be brought back when the whole coronavirus pandemic blows over. But for now, Velasquez will be sitting at home partially because of the nonsensical nature of pro wrestling.