Mauro Ranallo is officially gone from WWE, per Newsweek. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported earlier this week both sides were in talks but that the agreement would likely come with terms where he could not badmouth JBL or WWE, and it looks like Meltzer was correct.
“WWE and I have mutually agreed to part ways. It has nothing to do with JBL,” Ranallo told Newsweek by email. A WWE spokesperson confirmed Ranallo’s exit and said he will remain under contract through August 12.
In a statement to Newsweek, Layfield said he was just playing up his character as a bad guy. “Admittedly, I took part in locker room pranks that existed within the industry years ago. WWE addressed my behavior and I responded accordingly, yet my past is being brought up because of recent unfounded rumors. I apologize if anything I said playing ‘the bad guy’ on a TV show was misconstrued.”
Additionally a WWE spokesperson said: “As part of our commitment to creating an inclusive environment, in April 2011, WWE launched our anti-bullying campaign, Be a STAR, which encourages young people to treat each other with tolerance and respect”.