It’s never fun to get fired, and if you work for the WWE, there’s a chance that day might be right around the horizon. Former WWE Superstar Lana (real name CJ Perry) learned that the hard way when she was abruptly let go on a typically laid-back day.
On Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast, Lana discussed how a relaxing day at the pool with her family rapidly became a painfully awkward circumstance in which she learned she had been sacked by the WWE. The WWE’s John Laurinaitis called the wrestler, and she assumed he was calling about a recent television offer she was negotiating with the business. Instead, she discovered that he had called about her non-compete clause, which he had chosen to mention before telling her that she had been dismissed.
I’m phoning you about your 90 days, he says. “Wait, what?” I ask. I was even unable to comprehend. I’m phoning you about your 90 days because you’re getting released, he says, according to him. My heart literally sank while I was standing next to the pool, and I said, “My heart dropped, my heart dropped.”
Lana and many other former WWE performers are prohibited from signing a contract with another wrestling company for 90 days after their contract with WWE is terminated, according to the conditions of their contracts. It was certainly crucial for John Laurinaitis to remind her of the agreement given that her husband Miro (previously Rusev in the WWE) was now working for AEW in order to avoid any legal complications. With that stated, starting a conversation about someone’s termination with their clause rather than the fact that they were dismissed is probably not the greatest course of action.
Lana continued by saying that the discussion became even more perplexing because she was never really sure why she was being let go. The wrestler questioned John Laurinaitis about the cause behind her expulsion from WWE but only received praise for her dedication.
I enjoy my job and the people I work with, but if someone had told me that would happen, I would have said, “No way.” Sometimes, things are gloomy, but that’s why it’s a job. I ask, “Did I do something wrong?” No, you’ve worked your ass off, says Laurenitis. You’ve come a long way in the ring. Thank you for your diligent work. Stay nearby.
Eventually, Lana said that she had been informed that her termination was due to budgetary restrictions, which would align with recent claims regarding the reasons for the departure of other former WWE stars like Braun Strowman. Although Lana didn’t have anything against John Laurinaitis for performing his job, she did find the timing of it happening while she was on vacation with her family odd. Even if it wasn’t quite as embarrassing as when Mickie James, another freshly fired wrestler, received all of her possessions in a trash bag through mail, it was nonetheless awkward. The WWE’s handling of firings should advance as a result of all the improvements they make in the future.
Fans may watch SmackDown on Fox on Fridays at the same time as Monday Night Raw on USA on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Read up on the most recent WWE Legend, Terry Funk, who is struggling with some health difficulties, for more information about the company.
