WWE Fired and Rehired is a recurring storyline in the company’s real-life history, proving that in professional wrestling, “release” rarely means goodbye forever. From shock terminations that lasted barely an hour to careers that were saved by a sudden change of heart backstage, WWE has a long history of letting performers go only to bring them right back. Here are ten of the most memorable WWE Fired and Rehired cases, sometimes within the same week.
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1. Emma — Rehired Just One Hour After Being Fired
No story on this list moves faster than Emma’s. On July 2, 2014, the Australian NXT standout was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Walmart. WWE went into immediate damage control and released her — but as the real facts of the situation came to light, the company reversed course almost instantly. WWE issued a statement confirming her reinstatement just one hour after the initial release, making it arguably the fastest fired and rehired turnaround in company history. She remained with WWE for three more years before eventually departing for Impact Wrestling under her real name, Tenille Dashwood.
2. Daniel Bryan — Fired Over a Necktie, Rehired 9 Weeks Later
It’s hard to imagine WWE without Daniel Bryan, but his entire main roster run almost never happened. Bryan debuted alongside The Nexus on the June 7, 2010 episode of Raw in storyline meant to portray the group as ruthless outsiders. During the chaos, Bryan choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own necktie — a visual WWE management deemed too violent for television. He and the company “amicably” parted ways shortly after. Just nine weeks later, Bryan made his return at SummerSlam as part of Team WWE, going on to build one of the most beloved careers in wrestling history, including his iconic WrestleMania 30 World Heavyweight Championship win.
3. Eddie Guerrero — Left in 2001, Returned to Become WWE Champion
Eddie Guerrero’s departure from WWE in late 2001 shocked fans, coming amid personal struggles that had affected his standing with the company. But “Latino Heat” made a stunning comeback in April 2002, attacking Rob Van Dam on Raw to announce his return. The decision to bring him back paid off in spectacular fashion — just two years later, Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar to become WWE Champion, delivering one of the most emotional title wins in company history and proving that a second chance can sometimes lead all the way to the top.
4. Samoa Joe — Released From Commentary, Rehired by NXT Two Months Later
Samoa Joe’s WWE journey has included multiple stops and restarts. After injuries limited his in-ring opportunities following his main roster call-up, Joe transitioned to color commentary on Monday Night Raw — only to be released from the company in April 2021 as part of budget-related cuts. The move surprised many given his talent, and Triple H wasted no time bringing him back to NXT just two months later. Joe went on to become a two-time NXT Champion before another release in 2022 — though as one of Triple H’s most trusted performers, speculation about a future WWE return has never fully gone away.
5. Marty Jannetty — Released, Rehired, and Released Again Within a Year
The infamous breakup of The Rockers — Shawn Michaels superkicking Marty Jannetty through a barbershop window — was a disaster for Jannetty’s career trajectory in more ways than one. He was released by WWE, brought back, and then released again, all within roughly a year. During his brief return window, Jannetty actually captured the Intercontinental Championship from his former partner Michaels, with help from Mr. Perfect preventing a count-out loss. He later reunited with the 1-2-3 Kid to win the WWF Tag Team Championships before disappearing from WWE television for good, going on to wrestle for numerous independent promotions afterward.
6. Jim Ross — Fired Over Bell’s Palsy, Rehired the Same Year
While best known as a commentator rather than an in-ring performer, Jim Ross’s story belongs firmly on this list. JR was fired in early 1994 after suffering his first case of Bell’s Palsy, a condition affecting his facial muscles. Vince McMahon took over as co-commentator and seemed content with the change — until a steroids controversy and federal indictment forced McMahon away from broadcasting duties entirely. Gorilla Monsoon filled in temporarily before WWE brought Ross back later that year, eventually leading to his legendary tenure as the voice of Monday Night Raw throughout the Attitude Era.
7. Karrion Kross & Scarlett — Released 2021, Rehired With a Bigger Push in 2022
Few stories better illustrate WWE’s “never-say-never” culture than Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Despite dominating NXT as a former NXT Champion, Kross’s main roster call-up was widely viewed as a disappointment, with Scarlett bizarrely left off WWE television entirely during the run. The pair were released in November 2021 — but after Triple H took over creative control in 2022, WWE brought them back with a significantly improved presentation, restoring Scarlett to her manager role and repositioning Kross as a legitimate main roster threat.
8. Drew Gulak — Resigned, Then Rehired Just 11 Days Later
Drew Gulak’s exit was technically a non-renewal rather than a formal release, but the abrupt nature of his departure shocked much of the WWE locker room given how frequently he appeared on weekly programming. His apparent final match was a loss to Daniel Bryan in an Intercontinental Championship tournament. Just 11 days later, reports confirmed Gulak had re-signed with the company and was back at the Performance Center for show tapings — one of the quickest reversals in recent WWE history.
9. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson — Released, Then Welcomed Back After Vince McMahon’s Exit
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were among more than 100 wrestlers WWE released during a wave of budget cuts in 2020 and 2021. Their releases were particularly notable given their respected standing in the locker room as former tag team and NJPW stars. Once Triple H took over creative following Vince McMahon’s 2022 departure, WWE began systematically bringing back beloved talent that had been let go — and Gallows and Anderson were among the first names to return, rejoining longtime ally AJ Styles soon after.
10. Maverick — The Only Two Time Fired and Rehired Case
While not a wrestler in the traditional sense, Maverick’s story is unique enough to make this list — he is the only person to be fired and rehired by WWE twice. After being released once and brought back, Maverick was released a second time in November 2021. Remarkably, he was promptly rehired just three months later and now works as part of WWE’s creative team, proving that behind-the-scenes talent gets second (and sometimes third) chances too.
Quick Reference Table — Fastest WWE Fired and Rehired Turnarounds
| Name | Time Until Rehire | Reason for Release |
|---|---|---|
| Emma | 1 Hour | Shoplifting arrest (later clarified) |
| Drew Gulak | 11 Days | Contract non-renewal |
| Daniel Bryan | 9 Weeks | Necktie choke spot deemed too violent |
| Samoa Joe | 2 Months | Budget-related cuts |
| Maverick | 3 Months | Creative team restructuring |
| Eddie Guerrero | ~5 Months | Personal issues |
| Marty Jannetty | Under 1 Year | Storyline/behavioral concerns |
| Jim Ross | Same Year | Bell’s Palsy diagnosis |
FAQ — WWE Wrestlers Fired and Rehired
Who is the fastest WWE wrestler to be rehired after release?
Emma holds the record for fastest WWE rehire, having been reinstated just one hour after her July 2014 release once the full facts surrounding her arrest came to light.
Why does WWE rehire wrestlers so often?
WWE often rehires wrestlers due to fan demand, recognizing a talent’s marketability after the fact, correcting a hasty creative decision, or — particularly since 2022 — a change in company leadership that brings a fresh perspective on previously released performers.
Has any WWE star been fired and rehired more than once?
Yes, Marty Jannetty was released, rehired, and released again within roughly a year in the early 1990s, while WWE creative team member Maverick was fired and rehired on two separate occasions, most recently in 2021-2022.
Did Triple H rehire a lot of released wrestlers?
Yes, after taking over WWE creative control in 2022, Triple H brought back numerous previously released performers including Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Bray Wyatt, reversing several decisions made during the company’s earlier budget-cutting period.
Final Thoughts — WWE Wrestlers Fired and Rehired
These stories of WWE Fired and Rehired are a reminder that in professional wrestling, very few doors are ever truly closed. Whether it’s a backstage misunderstanding, a budget decision later reversed, or simply a change in company leadership, WWE has shown time and again that it’s willing to admit when a release was a mistake — sometimes within the hour, and sometimes after a career-defining run elsewhere first. According to WWE’s official roster page, several names from this list remain active on WWE programming today.
For more WWE Fired and Rehired stories and roster news, keep following WrestleRadar. Also check out our guides on WWE Superstars With Shocking Net Worth, Daniel Bryan Net Worth 2026, and CM Punk Biography.
Alex Jordan is the creator and lead author of Wrestleradar.com, where he covers wrestling news, match breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes insights with passion and detail. With a strong eye for storytelling and industry analysis, Alex delivers content that keeps wrestling fans informed, engaged, and entertained.
