35-year-old Superstar cites “backstage political powerplay” behind his WWE release, says Vince McMahon’s initial retirement killed his career 

The newly released Superstar has claimed that Vince McMahon's departure led to the downfall of his WWE career.


35-year-old Superstar cites “backstage political powerplay” behind his WWE release, says Vince McMahon’s initial retirement killed his career 

Released superstar claims that his career got killed after Vince McMahon's retirement [via- WWE and Public Enemies Podcast on X]

Days after WWE released multiple superstars from its roster, things are certainly heating up. One of the released talents has now avowed ‘backstage political power play’ as the sole reason for his termination. And without further ado, the name in question is Rick Boogs. WWE fans best know him for his short-term alliance with Shinsuke Nakamura.

The recently released superstar used to walk down the aisle with The King of Strong Style, accompanied by an electric guitar. Now, Boogs has posted a video on social media in which he told how the backstage politics drove him out of his job at WWE. “It’s been an interesting time in my life with my job in WWE being terminated due to a backstage political power play,” said Boogs. Moreover, what’s more baffling is what he did afterward. After a fan disregarded the WWE creative for dropping the ball with Rick Boogs, the former NXT wrestler squashed such a claim.

YouTube video

Boogs responded shockingly when he said that Vince McMahon‘s removal from the top hierarchy killed his WWE career. For what it’s worth, Boogs certainly enjoyed an ample amount of television exposure while McMahon was still heading creative. Maybe that’s why he decided to put the former WWE CEO in a significant spot. Rick did struggle to make it to TV once Triple H gained the creative reins.


In a recent clip, Boogs hinted at undisclosed reasons for his WWE firing, promising to share the truth later. Despite being compared to 1980s WWE icons in physique, his main roster run fell short of expectations.

Related: Vince McMahon allegedly never saw recently released World Champion as a “top guy” in WWE

Vince McMahon’s WWE return prompted a certain name to quit the company

On the one hand, Rick Boogs claimed that McMahon’s removal sabotaged his career. However, on the other hand, there was an individual who quietly asked for his release once Vince regained power. And that superstar was Eric Young. He signed with WWE back in November of last year. Just when the creative plans were in place for him post-WrestleMania, he decided to walk away from the company as Vince McMahon stormed his way back to the top.

Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon in his office (via- Wrestle Ops on X)

As revealed by himself, Young just didn’t want to work with the 78-year-old. Despite Triple H leading the creative baton on paper, Eric knew he would’ve been answerable to Vince at the end of the day, which wasn’t acceptable to him. As a result, the former Sanity leader decided to leave the place, and he eventually returned to Impact Wrestling. Wrestling fans appreciated Young for being cognizant of his dignity and self-esteem.

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