R-Truth has become a staple of WWE, with his comedic antics often leaving his fellow Superstars with no other option than to break character and burst into laughter. Fans love him, management must love the veteran wrestler for him to get so much TV time, and...he's just been released.
"[I'm] sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE," R-Truth wrote on X. "I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride. Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you."
It's since been reported that, rather than a release (i.e. a firing), this is a case of WWE deciding not to renew his contract. Truth's deal was close to ending, and we'd imagine the company wasn't willing to pay the former 24/7 Champion what he wanted to stick around.
Assuming that is the case, no one could blame R-Truth for wanting a pay rise, seeing as he's a mainstay on WWE programming on a weekly basis. In the TKO era, it seems main eventers make the big money, and everyone else...well, they're expendable.
R-Truth, born Ron Killings, began his wrestling career in 1997, debuting in the NWA and later joining WWE as K-Kwik in 2000, where he won the Hardcore Championship twice. After a stint in TNA, he became the first Black NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 2002, holding the title twice.
Returning to WWE in 2008 as R-Truth, he embraced a comedic, rapping persona. He won the United States Championship twice, the WWE Tag Team Championship twice (with Kofi Kingston and The Miz), and the 24/7 Championship a record 54 times. He also won the Mixed Match Challenge in 2018, while a highlight of his career came when he won the RAW Tag Team titles alongside The Miz at WrestleMania XL.
His 26-year career has presumably ended with his WWE release, and his final matches were against John Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event and JC Mateo during this past Friday's SmackDown.
However, he can still go in the ring and on the mic, so don't be surprised if Truth shows up in AEW or TNA 90 days from now.
You can read R-Truth's statement in full below.