WWE wrestlers offered emotional goodbyes over social media after the company unceremoniously fired them in response to coronavirus

Drake Maverick, Aiden English, and No Way Jose offered emotional goodbyes over social media after being released from their WWE contracts.@WWEMaverick / Twitter // @WWEDramaKing / Twitter

• WWE fired dozens of performers and staff on Wednesday to cut costs in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Fans were frustrated with WWE's decision to let so many employees go, as the company had just been deemed an "essential business" by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• Without the opportunity to say goodbye in the ring, many of the wrestlers who had been released, including Drake Maverick, Aiden English, and No Way Jose posted videos to social media offering a farewell to fans and discussing the difficult news.
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WWE announced severe cuts to its talent roster on Wednesday, releasing dozens of performers and producers from their contracts.

In a statement, WWE wrote that "the implementation of various short-term cost reductions and cash flow improvement actions including" was necessary due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans were livid with the company making such drastic cuts, in part because WWE had been declared an "essential business" by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just days ahead of the announcement.

Among the talent let go were former WWE Champion Kurt Angle, former RAW Tag Team Champions Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, former Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder, and former U.S. Champion Rusev.

Given the sudden nature of their release, the fired wrestlers were unable to say goodbye to fans with a final match. Instead, many posted emotional videos on Twitter or Instagram, offering farewells to fans and coworkers.

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