WWE Releases Big Cass

WWE released Big Cass on Tuesday prior to SmackDown Live,coming on the heels of Cass suffering a second clean loss to Daniel Bryan on Sunday night at Money in the Bank. 

According to multiple reports, Cass may have been released due to going off script on an episode of SmackDownlast month. Reportedly, Cass asked permission (twice) to get physical with a little person in a segment where he mocked Daniel Bryan. Cass was reportedly told not to get physical with the little person involved in the skit by two different parties, including upper management.

In the segment, Cass punched the person. Cass going “off script” in the segment on SmackDownwas initially reported by Pro Wrestling Sheet. 

WWE announced the release on its website Tuesday with a statement:

“WWE has come to terms on the release of William Morrissey (Big Cass),” was all the statement read. Missing from the statement was the traditional, “we wish Morrissey well on his future endeavours,” which WWE has often been mocked about in its past release statements.

According to a report by Dave Meltzer, Vince McMahon called a private meeting prior SmackDown and fired Cass.

Cass has been with WWE since 2011, when he was originally assigned to developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. Cass was called up to the WWE main roster in 2016 along with Enzo, who was released last year amidst allegations of sexual assault in Arizona.

PWTorch reported that Cass has been labeled as having “maturity issues” behind the scenes in WWE, despite being 30 years old. 

“Cass had a rep for having attitude issues,” wrote PWTorch.com editor Wade Keller. “He was given time to “mature” and frustration grew and resignation had been setting in that despite a good push and after being separated from Enzo, he was still exhibiting maturity issues despite being 30 years old now.”