Former WWE star Nunzio recently reflected on the final months of his WWE run. Looking back, he admitted being paid to stay home was probably the biggest sign that his release was coming.
Nunzio was released by WWE in 2008 after spending several years with the company. Speaking on Developmentally Speaking, he was asked whether he expected to be released.
“I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t, I didn’t, I didn’t see it coming at that time. I’m going back to 2008. That was like 20 years ago. There was a point I was sitting home a lot, getting paid, you know, and whenever that happens. Yeah, that’s always great. Sitting home getting paid, but not in the wrestling business, you know. That’s not good.”
Former WWE star Nunzio says sitting at home was a warning sign
Nunzio also explained that WWE sometimes keeps talent off television without telling them what is planned next.
“So, they did sit me home for a bit, but sometimes they like to do that, and they have ideas but don’t tell you because they got 150 other things on their mind and forget that they’re sitting you home and not telling you. They’re not really worried about it, but they do have plans for you. But you, on the other end, are sitting home. Did I have it in my mind? I had the release, but I wasn’t sitting home for that long.”
Former WWE star Nunzio believes John Laurinaitis hinted at his release
He then recalled a conversation with John Laurinaitis months before his release. “So, you know, what Johnny did too, I wasn’t ready at the time. In 2007, four or five months before my release, Johnny actually asked me if I would be interested. Johnny asked me if I would be interested in at that time, they had Kentucky as their developmental. Louisville. That’s what they had in Louisville. And, you know, he came to me and he’s like, ‘Hey, would you ever think about training the guys.'”
“Now, my son at that time was only. I don’t know, he was only like four at the time. My wife was working, school and stuff like that. We were living in New York, so and I was like, I still had a job with WWE. But I think that was a feeler to see. I think, looking at it afterwards, he probably was like, ‘I’m gonna cut this guy, but let me see. Maybe he wants to come.'”
“Now, if that was in my area because there was talk many years ago that they were going to do a school in Connecticut. Yeah. But the problem is it’s too expensive, and they can’t afford to live in Connecticut.”
“You know, they want to pay these guys like they could do developmental in Louisville and stuff, and you get an apartment for $500 and you put four guys in there, and they’re cool and happy to be there. And, you know, in Connecticut you’re looking at $3,000 a month. Yeah. You know, so it wasn’t feasible. But there was talk, and I would have loved to be part of that. I live 20 minutes from their office, right down the street. That would be perfect.”
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