WWE stuns fans with release of long-time fan favourite R-Truth

Known for his wit and showmanship, Ron “R-Truth” Killings’  departure from WWE signals a shift in company priorities

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Ron “R-Truth” Killings has long been regarded as one of the most popular pro wrestlers in World Wrestling Entertainment. His wrestling skills and talents have always been undeniable. His intelligence, wit, charm and humour helped turn him into a household name. He’s respected and admired by fans, writers and fellow performers.

That’s why the news of his unexpected release caught everyone off guard. “I’m sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE,” he posted on X on June 1. “I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERY ONE OF YOU who was along for the ride. Thank you for all the love, support and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you.”

News of R-Truth’s WWE release has reverberated inside and outside the wrestling industry. His post had received more than 21.2 million views as of this writing. His impending departure was covered by major news outlets like Fox News, Forbes, New York Post, Newsweek, USA Today, Times of India, Sports Illustrated and People magazine. Tributes came pouring in from wrestlers, announcers and personalities.

What’s the secret behind R-Truth’s success in pro wrestling? Let’s dig into his life and career and find out.

The 53-year-old, who hails from Charlotte, N.C., excelled in sports and music in high school. He decided to pass on college scholarships and focus on the latter. Becoming a successful musician is a difficult path to follow, so much so that he chose an adjacent path that took him in the wrong direction. He dealt drugs to finance his dreams for a spell, which led to several arrests and 13 months of incarceration.

R-Truth, to his credit, realized the error of his ways and left that lifestyle behind.

It was during a stay at a halfway house that he had a chance encounter with Jackie Crockett, whose family owned the National Wrestling Alliance. “He saw me being me … He saw all of that, man, and he said, ‘You don’t belong here. I think this is just one of your pit stops in life,’” he said on “The New Day: Feel The Power” podcast on Nov. 2, 2020. “And then again, I had somebody else instilling that knowledge in me, man. God has always put what I call ‘rams in the bush’ around me, you know what I’m saying? To protect me, to give me that whisper in my ear what I need to do.”

Crockett was the “ram in the bush” that R-Truth desperately needed. Although he rejected this initial offer, he approached Crockett two years later and began his wrestling journey in 1997.

R-Truth plied his trade in the independents. He became the first (and, to date, only) African American wrestler to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He held the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice with James and Konnan, and the TNA World Tag Team Championship with former NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones.

His greatest achievements have occurred during his 17-year WWE career. He’s held the United States Championship twice, Hardcore Title twice, World Tag Team Championship with Kofi Kingston and The Miz, and the 24/7 Championship an astonishing 54 times.

R-Truth didn’t become a beloved WWE superstar because of his in-ring ability. It was due to his infectious personality, friendly demeanour and captivating sense of humour. People naturally gravitate to him. His witty remarks and playful banter during interviews with former WWE champion Cody Rhodes, TV personality Chris Van Vliet and others have made him a must-see attraction. His comedic sense of timing is incredible. His natural ability to get reactions out of people is impeccable. He’s a true showman with natural intelligence, God-given talent and a lifelong dream of performing for audiences.

His skits have been shared and circulated worldwide. The list is endless, including mispronouncing wrestlers’ names, entering the Women’s Royal Rumble by mistake, bringing a ladder typically associated with Money in the Bank to the Men’s Royal Rumble, dressing up as a Confederate soldier, his invisible friend Little Jimmy, saying “my bad!” when he does something wrong—and his theme song, “What’s Up?” And who can forget his years-long adulation of his “childhood hero,” Cena, in spite of the fact that he’s actually five years older than him?

Many people thought R-Truth would be a WWE “lifer.” He was well-liked by the locker room and by then-owner Vince McMahon. When the company was sold in 2023 and became part of TKO Group Holdings, some people wondered if McMahon’s son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the chief content officer, would cut back on the usage of comedic wrestlers.

This didn’t seem to be the case at first. R-Truth had a career resurgence (of sorts) the past two years under Triple H’s leadership. Winning tag team gold with The Miz at WrestleMania XL was a significant moment. He was also in a headline match against Cena on NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXIX on May 24, roughly one week before he was released.

Why was R-Truth let go?

Nothing has been revealed yet. Many fans are furious and the backlash has been intense. The backstage reaction has been similar, with unconfirmed reports of a top WWE star calling this decision “total nonsense” while another suggested the company’s leadership was “ruthless.” My guess? It had nothing to do with R-Truth, but rather a combination of escalating salaries and the need to trim the fat wherever possible. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong decimal point. That’s the cutthroat nature of business and how the private sector typically operates.

R-Truth fortunately still has many things on the go. He’s happily married with two children, including a son playing college basketball at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. He still releases music, including the first song off an upcoming album that combines hip hop and country. As for wrestling, he could always consider one-off appearances at independent promotions, going back to TNA or even joining All Elite Wrestling.

Whatever he chooses to do next, one thing is clear. R-Truth has achieved many things during his superb career that he can look back on and be proud of. The “rams in the bush” may have started the process, but he’s the ageless jaguar in the wrestling ring who can still do it all.

Michael Taube is a political commentator, Troy Media syndicated columnist and former speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He holds a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics, lending academic rigour to his political insights.