WWE Fired Ridge Holland Early to Send a Message After He Spoke Out

Ridge Hollandâ€s WWE career didnâ€t just end quietly—it ended abruptly, and now it looks like that was the point.

On the November 6 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer revealed that WWEâ€s decision to cut Holland a week early—while heâ€s still injured and unable to work—was more about punishment than paperwork. Alvarez read Hollandâ€s tweet aloud, the same one that sealed his fate with the company:

“I feel like Iâ€ve just been hung out to dry after getting injured working for another company on behalf of WWE. Add to that my contract not being renewed, knowing that I wouldnâ€t be able to wrestle for seven months is brutal. Yes, they are taking care of the surgery and physical therapy, but letâ€s be honest, thatâ€s a bare minimum after what we sacrificed for the company. Plus the possibility of having to get my neck fused too. Talk about getting totally f**ed.â€*

Meltzer confirmed the fallout was swift, “Then the next day they called him and fired him.†Holland was initially supposed to remain on WWEâ€s payroll through November 14. But after voicing frustration publicly, WWE used a contract clause to cut him early—losing him a week or two of final pay. And the move wasnâ€t random.

“They wanted to send a message to everyone out there that if you say anything bad, you know, that you can be cut. And thatâ€s what happened.â€

Hollandâ€s situation had already drawn sympathy. Heâ€s recovering from a brutal injury suffered during a TNA appearance—on WWEâ€s behalf—and now faces potential neck fusion surgery, a second operation in March, and months of recovery with no income. Meltzer also noted that WWE likely never had long-term plans for Holland after he signed a one-year NXT deal at a 55% pay cut in 2024:

“They were going to cut him a year ago… They gave him another year and they probably, in reality, had already decided. He wasnâ€t that over.â€

But the moment Holland spoke up, everything changed. Even if he only lost a week or two of salary, it sent a very clear message about what WWE tolerates.

“Thereâ€s really no reason to at least keep him on through the rehab period given that he was injured on your job.â€

With limited options in AEW, an uncertain future in TNA, and an independent scene thatâ€s not what it used to be, Meltzer added:

“Heâ€s not someone who is going to necessarily have a lot of options even when this is done.â€

Itâ€s a devastating twist in Hollandâ€s story, and one that raises serious questions about how WWE treats performers when the cameras stop rolling.

What do you think about WWEâ€s decision to cut Ridge Holland early? Did the company cross a line by using his words against him—or were they just protecting their brand? Sound off and share your thoughts below.

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