Ex-Champion Star On WWE Release: “I Was Hurt… I Retired”

Ex-WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore, aka Real1, was released from WWE in January 2018.

The reason for his termination was his failure to inform the company that he was under police investigation for an alleged sexual assault, which violated the company’s zero-tolerance policy. The police investigation was eventually closed in May 2018 due to insufficient evidence, and no charges were filed.

It has been eight years since Enzo got fired from the Stamford-based promotion. Reflecting on his WWE career, he shared an emotional video talking about his journey and hardships since his release. He revealed that he was so hurt after his release that he didn’t step inside the ring for two whole years and decided to retire from wrestling.

Enzo said, “I was so hurt. For two years, I refused to wrestle. I retired. I’m done. But wrestling was my purpose.”

He also made a subtle pitch hinting that he wants to return to his “dream job” in WWE.

“8 years ago today, I lost my dream job @wwe,” Enzo wrote.

8 years ago today, I lost my dream job @wwe pic.twitter.com/yp2w1XNH6i

— REAL1 (FKA Enzo Amore) (@real1) January 23, 2026

Former WWE star Enzo Amore Rebuilds Himself With Grit And Determination

Speaking in an interview with The Rich Eisen Show, Enzo Amore revealed all the hardships he faced after the Stamford-based promotion released him and how he overcame them to return to the wrestling world stronger.

“Unwaveringly, my confidence has never left. My opportunities got squandered. I got canceled, I got s**t on by the world, and I got told I was one thing. But, to that point, I love to inspire those who have to persevere and go through things.”

“You know, Moses had to leave Egypt, and he had to go in the desert, and you know, he had to go through something to come back and say, ‘Alright, here’s what time it is now.’”

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