SmackDown GM Paige “fired” James Ellsworth on SmackDown tonight.
During a segment where Paige was set to announce AJ Styles’ WWE Championship opponent for SummerSlam, Ellsworth came out and said that he’s beaten Styles three times and “you know what they say, fourth time’s a charm.” Paige then told him to stop and said, “You’re a joke.” Ellsworth hit her back with a “No, you’re the joke.” He then said “look at the way you look… you’re as pale as a ghost!” Paige then said, “I’ve had enough of you. I’ve got two words for you… You’re fired.” Security then took Ellsworth away and Paige kicked him out of a backstage door and said “stay out there.”
Later in the show, Carmella asked Paige why she fired Ellsworth and Paige told her to “find a new boyfriend.”
Hopefully this is just an angle and Ellsworth will be back soon, but as mentioned, Ellsworth is not currently under WWE contract and he is still taking and is scheduled for indie bookings, so he may have just been brought back for a short stint this time. I hope we haven’t seen the last of him in WWE though. :-(
There’s been #988 episodes of Smackdown and… @RealPaigeWWE just made the biggest mistake in #SDLive history!
I should be in the main event at #SummerSlam against @AJStylesOrg #WWEUniverse start using the hashtag #RehireEllsowrth NOW!!
Be heard!!!
— James Ellsworth (@realellsworth) July 25, 2018

WWE: Logan Paul Confirms Travis Scott Was Supposed to Wrestle in WWE Before Plans Were Scrapped, John Cena Says AJ Styles Told Him He Doesn’t Want A Retirement Tour For His Wrestling Career Retirement in 2026, More News
ROH TV Taping Spoilers from Columbus, OH
Various: First Look Trailer for Street Fighter Film Featuring Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, & Hirooki Goto Released, ROH Announces ROH Global Wars UK 2025 for 12/18 ROH TV Show, Indies/Misc.




