Ex-WWE Star Responds To Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens’ Claims: “I Wasn’t Fired”

Written by Debottam Saha • Published Jun 26, 2025 06:00 EDT
Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes had some opinions about a former WWE star

A former WWE star recently responded to claims made by Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, seemingly directed at him.

Ryback was with WWE from 2004 to 2016, when apparent creative frustrations led to him eventually leaving the company. He then wrestled on the independent scene with his final match coming on August 25, 2018. Since then, the star has seemingly not stepped foot inside the squared circle and has had some injury issues. While speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? With Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens seemingly took a shot at the former Intercontinental Champion. Although the star’s name was censored, many online thought it was Ryback, both Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens were talking about.

Owens talked about former WWE stars who apparently overestimated their appeal on the independent scene:

“Ex-WWE guys that overestimated their appeal just because they were coming off a WWE ring. And I think, you know (censored), a good example, charged insane amounts of money, which he might have gotten a couple of times at first. And now I think it’s safe to say he has not been booked very much.

You (Cody Rhodes) approached it in the best way you could have. You approached it with no ego and no expectation of, even though, so like, again, I hate to bring up the (censored), right? They did stuff in WWE. They were popular guys at a certain level, won some titles, everything. But nothing, their run up until when they ended up getting released and having to go on the independent scene was never compared to the run you had had up to that point.”

Former WWE star Ryback has now responded to Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens

Ryback recently took to X/Twitter to address Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens’ claims and stated that he was not released from WWE but chose to walk away from the company. He also added that his rates were decided by his then-manager, Pat Buck. The star was asked not to wrestle again because of his injuries.

I was made aware & saw the clip of @FightOwensFight & @CodyRhodes, two guys I always liked & got along with. It’s clear they were referencing me, even with the name censored. For context: I was booked solid for 3 years straight after WWE. My rate was set by my then-manager Pat Buck (a promoter himself), and every promoter I worked with made money and got my full effort—meet & greets, matches, fan time, all of it. What’s often left out: I walked away from a multi-million dollar WWE contract. I wasn’t fired. I needed a 5-disc fusion and full right shoulder replacement at 34. I was told not to wrestle again. I had nerve damage that risked paralysis if I continued. I had to stop taking bookings entirely.

Why? Because my doctors told me for the stem cells to work properly, I needed to stop wrestling. I also made the choice to stay home and care for my dog Sophie, who developed severe disc disease, had multiple ruptures and surgeries, and was paralyzed twice. I refused to put her down just to keep traveling and making more money—I already had what I needed. Sophie turns 10 this November. And every second with her was worth it. I poured everything into rebuilding my health and my brand with Feed Me More Nutrition. I’ve had 20 stem cell procedures and was blessed to regrow all 5 discs in my back. I’m now finally close to being able to return. So yes, I do feel the comment was a low blow—especially coming from two guys I respected and spoke well of. But I’m not bitter. I’ve made peace with @WWE and let go of the past. This isn’t a storyline. It’s real life. Survival. Growth. Perspective. I wish Kevin a strong recovery, and I send both him and Cody nothing but love, health & continued success.”

It remains to be seen whether former WWE Intercontinental Champion Ryback will ever return to the ring, as he mentioned in his post that he was “finally close to being able to return.”