Finlay Released

[The Man They Call WMD]

World Wrestling Entertainment released their top Producer/Agent Dave Finlay yesterday, PWInsider.com has confirmed.

The story making the rounds is that The Miz was booked to come out and interrupt the national anthem during a house show in Champaign, IL over the weekend in order to cut a promo that would set up himself vs. Randy Orton to open the card. There were a number of representatives for the National Guard, who are a HUGE partner and sponsor for WWE, in attendance. Obviously, they were not pleased with the anthem being used to get heel heat.

When word made it's way back to WWE management, the decision was made to release Finlay, who as the top Producer of the show, "had to fall on the sword", as it was described to me.

There were a lot of shocked people within the company today as word began to make the rounds among the wrestlers and staff. Finlay was well liked and more than a few people I spoke to hoped that it was a situation where he was let go only to be brought back down the line.

Finlay, a third generation wrestler, had been with the company from 2001 and was considered the top Producer backstage, with Arn Anderson directly behind him in the line of command. Finlay had long been given credit for the rise and improvement of the WWE Divas division over the last decade.

Finlay worked for several years behind the scene for the company before returning as a wrestler in a full-time role as well in 2006, mostly to help introduce the Hornswoggle character and work with younger talents that needed help in the ring. WWE had quietly retired him as a wrestler last year when the decision was made to go with younger faces on the television product.

Finlay had been wrestling since 1974. He was considered one of the top heels in Europe in the 1990s and also toured New Japan Pro Wrestling. He finally made his way to the United States during the Monday Night Wars for WCW as the "Belfast Bruiser."

IMO this Will be a huge loss behind the scenes. What do you think?

 

[X]

Oh man this flat out fucking sucks. I have all the respect for our armed forces and everything, but come on, the fucking National Guard got pissed over this and that was enough to get Finlay fired? That's bullshit, not like they were Marines or something (no offense meant to national guardsmen who have many times gone to war, fought, and died for this country). I mean, come on, that's a classic old-school heel tactic and it probably got Miz atomic heat at that show. Finlay is far too valuable of a backstage and creative presence for them to fire him over some bullshit like this, so I can only believe they're going to re-hire him down the line like they did with Danielson last year.

I don't know, if they don't bring him back, that's a big loss in my eyes. Finlay was a fantastic wrestler, a great trainer, and from all accounts a crucial part of the producing/backstage team. What a shame. If TNA were smart, now that's a guy you sign as a producer, not Bischoff and Hogan.

 

[The Man They Call WMD]

Oh man this flat out fucking sucks. I have all the respect for our armed forces and everything, but come on, the fucking National Guard got pissed over this and that was enough to get Finlay fired? That's bullshit, not like they were Marines or something (no offense meant to national guardsmen who have many times gone to war, fought, and died for this country). I mean, come on, that's a classic old-school heel tactic and it probably got Miz atomic heat at that show. Finlay is far too valuable of a backstage and creative presence for them to fire him over some bullshit like this, so I can only believe they're going to re-hire him down the line like they did with Danielson last year.

I don't know, if they don't bring him back, that's a big loss in my eyes. Finlay was a fantastic wrestler, a great trainer, and from all accounts a crucial part of the producing/backstage team. What a shame. If TNA were smart, now that's a guy you sign as a producer, not Bischoff and Hogan.

I agree completely. Thirty years in the business is thrown out for a stupid stunt. The stunt was a freaking house show.... From what I read the stunt did garner major heat and did it's job. Sad day.

 

[Dream Machine]

This is more of a PR issue with having the right idea with the wrong people involed in it.

If this was Lillian Garcia singing the national anthem, when she was with WWE then no one would have an issue, but to have the National Guard or any military branch apart of the angle is problematic because of how serious the armed forces take things like the National Anthem considering what they do for this country. Secondly the National Guard does not have to be there, they are agreeing to how up for the national anthem and they probably see it as a slap in their face to have this happen with them.

Before anyone responds aying that the National Guard should lighten up, you need to remember they are not WWE employees and are probably doing this as a goodwill effort for WWE, considering all the positive press WWE gets for the military, and now they are being treated like an afterhtought to get their wrestler...entertainer over, which is jut bad PR and an overall bad idea.

 

[BigLuther]

Yeah, this is pretty bad news. If you watch the divas division ever since Finlay took over training the divas, the in-ring quality has improved immensely. As fans, it's hard for us to know exactly what his duties were as a producer and what he brought to the table, but I'm sure this is a major blow. The guy has been in the business for almost 40 years, has so much knowledge, and I'm sure was a very valuable member of their backstage team.

If I were Finlay, it would take a lot for me to TNA. You know anything that he tries to do what be stunted by Hogan and Bischoff. I think it would be smartest for him to wait for WWE to bring him back, which I'm sure they will. Otherwise, he could take all his knowledge to ROH and help them progress.

 

[Gotahn]

Yes this is a really sad day. Finely hs been in the buisness for so long and for him to get fired because of a MISTAKE is really sad.

However, being a Active Duty Miitary Member who has been to the fight (can't say where just know it's in the Middle East where alot of bad things happen) disrupting the
National Anthem just to garner heat is uncalled for. I have witness good freinds of mine who have died and will never see their wives or children again because of that Anthem and for it to be rudely interrupted for heat is not a good thing to do. For people who don't know this but when in uniform and the Anthem is playing, All military members in Uniform salute the Flag. We do it with Pride and it should not be interrupted for storyline purposes or heat or anything. I am truly sorry Finely got fired for this. WWE should know better than that because they do the Support the Troops tour so they know how important the Flag and the Anthem mean to the U.S. Military. Not a good move.

 

[TheBWO]

It was a stupid thing to do on both parts. Let me explain---There are a million different ways to garner heat....push a kid down the ramp, tear up someone's sign, take their sunglasses, etc...and it's already a gimme that Miz has heat on him when he walks in....but the National Anthem--like it or not, signifies the beginning of any event. I'm not being crass in saying this towards anyone, but hear me out. If you go to a baseball game, or football game, and notice that the team on the field is still doing warmups while it's playing....wouldn't that be a little disrespectful? I'm not singling out the issue of the National Guard that were there---I'm just saying, the Anthem usually signifies a) respect for your country, and b) ---as stupid as this sounds-- it lets the late people think "whew,...we didn't miss anything yet, the national anthem is playing, so we made it just in time". Do I think it was disrespectful? Yes...should he had been fired? No...because I really would like to think that Finley wasn't the ONLY SINGLE person choreographing the show....which is sad, because if he wasn't, why didn't someone think or say "Naw man...don't do it then....maybe come out on the last word of the song, but not in the middle..." irregardless of the Reserve being there (no disrespect). People get mad in my hometown when during the football season "home of the brave" is replaced with "home of the Chiefs", people call and bitch the paper's, etc....but that's 75k people in a stadium...with no game plan...it just happens. THIS could have been easily avoided and still the same amount of heat, if not more, could have been generated by doing something different. I don't mean to offend any of the previous posters, and if I did, I apologize....I just think that with the shape of the world is in today, at the very least, we could keep the N.A. spot free without desecration until the show begins. The show--house, PPV, or whatever---is not THAT important.

 

[CuddleBuns84]

Well, one of the major problems I have with this, is that, Professional Athletes across the country sometimes don't stand, and pledge during the national anthem, and they just receive an article in the paper.

Overall, it was a good idea. Good way to build major heat. Unfortunately, he was in Canada or New Mexico. He was in the US. A lot of people get upset over things like this.

It's amazing, Roseanne a few years back, destroyed the the National Anthem, and her career went through the roof. She still to this day, has a good job going on. Fit Finley had an idea to create super heat for the Miz, and the PR flipped out him. Just a shame.

I hope Finlay gets another shot with the WWE. He knows his stuff. A lot of knowledge.

 

[vermilion]

I can't believe Finlay would do something like this. The WWE is known for never doing anything offensive to our flag or our country or......wait a second. Isn't this the same company that had a terrorist take out Taker and another become a martyr, post-9/11? Isn't this the country that made Sgt. Slaughter an Iraqi sympathizer, post-Desert Storm? I mean come on, seriously? It's wrestling/sports entertainment. Being anti-American is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get heat. The Miz isn't even anti-American, he just cares about only himself. To have him interrupt a National Anthem proves that no matter what, what he has to say is the most important thing (to him).

 

[Ding_Dong_#2]

Very sad; such a resource of knowledge, common sense and experience.

It was sad to see him "phased out" of mainstream television when he was still competitive and a great example to other wrestlers of his age who are burned out due to abusing their bodies, in and out of the ring.

Vince seems to be a lot more loyal these days than 15/25 years ago (to the detriment of the federation sometimes) so I would say it is fairly likely he will be re-employed at some point, partly because TNA would be likely to offer him something I would imagine.

 

[DemonToSome]

As a former military personnel (I was in the Navy), I don't see anything really wrong with the interruption of the national anthem. Being that I'm a wrestling fan, I realize that it's just an angle and therefore cannot hold anybody in contempt for doing it. The National Guard really does need to lighten up. I could maybe see them not appreciating it if it was at a televised event but this was at a house show and nobody was really going to see it except the people in attendance. I mean...the angle obviously got over. What more do you want as a wrestling fan?

I can't believe Finlay was released over this. I hope this is a case of release him now and bring him back down the line. He was an integral part of getting the women's division over. That's a hard job for anybody and he did a good job with it. Also a great producer in general. God I hope they bring him back. And I hope people in the National Guard, or any division of the military in general, who are wrestling fans wake up and realize that this was an amazing way to get heat and all it does is better the show.

 

[RD_21]

I am getting really annoyed with how everything need to be politically correct these days. Can't say a word that mean jerk because it can also mean gay and someone may or may not get offended. Can't stop the anthem, can't do insult, can't this or can't that, it's getting dumb.

Even back in the days Hassan should have NEVER been fired for an angle, people who complain are usually people who are paid to watch the show just to report every stupidity, people who watch the product usually just enjoy it for what it is.

It's lame that they got rid of Finlay because he was a great asset and was really helping the woman division.

 

[Aotearoa (Bushwacker)]

I agree releasing Finlay sux and I dont want to repeat anything that has been said so far asd I agree with everything.
Can I just pick up on one point though
And I quote, LOL....
"Finlay had long been given credit for the rise and improvement of the WWE Divas division over the last decade"
Um...the Divas division sux. I haven't cared about it for the last decade. That is not something I would want to be credited with. I think Finlay is awesome and loved his in ring stuff, but come on the Divas division sux and if that is due to him then that sux.

 

[Calderownz]

I have a feeling they might "Daniel Bryan" this entire situation. I have a feeling this is just to weather the storm. Regardless, I'll take this at face value and assume he is gone.

He's been in the business for 30 years and has been a wonderful gatekeeper for a large portion of that career. Helpful behind the scenes as well.

If this is the last of him, I think WWE lost a major asset.

 

[GodCompleX]

Utter hypocritical BS! To fire anyone over that incident is just stupid, let alone someone as valuable as Finlay. For decades american wrestlers have been interrupting foreigners national anthems for promos and cheers (I don't think Nikolai Volkoff or The Rougeau Bros. ever made it through a full verse!) It's not a serious event, it's a wrestling house show, live theatre. Just ridiculous imo.

 

[Mr_Ratings]

Man whenever I start to back away from TNA for the shit they do backstage. The WWE always pulls some shit that pushes me back toward supporting TNA again.

The TNA thing with Jeff Hardy made me kinda hop back on the WWE wagon, then WWE pulls this shit and fires a innocent man just because WWE all of a sudden caters to the sponsors.

Whatever it takes to pull the heat off the Miz i guess. This company is starting to look like a weak version of the WWF in the 80s. The WWF in the 80's catered to the kids but still made it look good to the adults, this WWE caters to the kids and just looks plain ridiculous. If it wasnt for Orton/Punk and HHH/Taker I would have 0 interest in this WM.

 

[#SAWFT]

Absolutely pathetic.
I'm actually trying to complain to WWE.
Yeah, I'm Bristish. But I know patriotism when I see it. And I respect America for that.
But I think the reason is cos he's Irish. I know it's happened before but WWE are scared ATM, because people (MICHAEL COLE) have said other things that are against something, then WWE need to show some decent punishment.
But I agree, it is pathetic.

 

[Decarow]

Well guys, welcome to the corporate world; where people can be extremely loyal and give you their all but once they mess up once they're gone.

But Christian101, it's not because he's Irish.

The National Guard is a HUGE sponsor for WWE. I mean extremely huge. It's one of their biggest sponsors. I wouldn't doubt it if they were thinking of ending things off with WWE. Firing Finlay is the "business smart" thing to do in a situation like this.

Finlay's done some pretty great things, but I haven't seen ANYBODY mention him in years. So that being said, are we REALLY going to miss him?

 

[MYGold]

If Finlay had anything to do with the scripting of the interrupting of the National Anthem - then he deserves every bit of punishment he gets.

However, he ALONE, did not book this and anyone else who had anything to do with it deserves the same fate.

There are many things that can be done to generate heat. Interrupting the National Anthem is NOT one of them. You're telling me THE MIZ needed that extra heat??? I don't think so.

I was appalled when I first read the house show results. That is uncalled for and unacceptable. Any anyone who doesn't understand why - well I got two words for ya......

 

[THTRobtaylor]

I think this is sadly down to Cole... They can't fire him but they can dress this to look a more serious issue and "hey we fired Finlay"...

I thought Trips was in charge of this sort of stuff now, surely the buck stops... Oh maybe not...

 

[Notorious718]

I knew nothing of Finlay's role behind the scenes before reading this article. That said, this is a pretty bad loss considering Finlay's backstage experience. Indeed he was a great wrestler, a person who I've heard to be a great trainer for the younger talent, and central to the backstage scene. I liked Finlay and it sucks to read that he got fired like this. He seems to be invaluable in terms of production so like X said, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was brought back similarly to how Bryan Danielson was brought back after the tie incident with Justin Roberts.

However, I'm not exactly sure how this will affect the overall WWE product (if at all). Another thread mentioned bringing Finlay to TNA. I can't comment on either topic since I know just about nothing of his backstage role other than all the praise he has gotten for improving the Divas division and that he was working with the younger talent.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

The National Guard has been a major WWE sponsor for a long time. Someone simply didn't like this particular idea and went to Vince with it. Vince is definitely all about patriotism when it means cash going to the WWE. It's unfortunate that this had to happen to Finlay but I'm not surprised that he was released. This is one of these incidents in which someone with a lot of influence completely overreacts to something and sombody's head has to roll. In this case, it's Finlay.

When the heat from this dies down, I'd say that the WWE will hire him back. He's been far too loyal to the WWE, contributes too much and is just generally loved too much by the talent to just simply be tossed away. The WWE knows what he brings to the table and when this whole thing blows over and Vince drops to his knees enough times, I look for Finlay to be offered his job back.

 

[MVP#1]

I remember back several years ago when mahammad Hassan was making his debut at a house show i was at, he interupted the national anthem and got tons of heat from crowd, and there were members of the Army in crowd, but they weren't overly upset about it because they know that wrestling pulls stuff to gain heat. they know that WWE is very proud of the people of the armed forces and goes out of their way to give them free PPVs, free tickets, they came to them over in Iraq. yet i don't remember hearing about anyone being fired for that incident so what makes this one any different?

 

[Give me an RKO]

WTF is going on its a family show and that was entertaining. No disrespect to the national Guard but you sponsor wwe and you knew what the show is all about and its your fault for the firing of Dave Finlay i hope it finds you a gives you a beat down.

 

[diggitydubz]

I'm going to take a stance that might be unpopular since America is at war and trust me, I am very grateful and thankful for the troops and support what they are doing. That being said, the National Guard was wrong to complain. The WWE was not being unpatriotic. It is 'Sports Entertainment' and it is a SCRIPTED show. (We all know this...but I'm just saying) Obviously, the bit was designed to get heat on 'The Miz,' and I'm sure it worked. In the end, the 'story' is that he got beat in his match...so 'Justice Prevailed' and the Miz got what he had coming....especially for interupting the anthem. Again, this is the SCRIPT. The good guys beat the bad guys. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they don't play the national anthem before plays on stage or even at movies....and technically, WWE doesn't have to play the Anthem before their events. Vince just chooses to because of his patriotism and because - lets face it - it is good PR.

People might remember that Bret Hart attacked the Patriot during the playing of the National Anthem back in 1997, on TV. Of course, we weren't at war at the time...but it is worth pointing out that this wasn't the first time.

Was it the best choice for an 'angle?' Probably not and obvioulsy, its one that they won't try again. But, was it worth firing a long time employee? I don't think so. Hopefully, Finley wasn't also being made an example of because he is not FROM the U.S. Either way, I think it was wrong and for that, shame on you National Guard.