Earl Hebner Debunks Longstanding Rumor About WWE Firing

Earl Hebner played a big role in many important moments in WWE history, and his work as a referee was unique. However, in 2005, WWE fired him over claims that he was selling merchandise without permission. In fact, Hebner has now debunked the longstanding rumor about his firing.

While speaking to Ten Count Media, Earl Hebner was asked about the long-standing story that he was either laid off or fired from WWE due to selling merchandise at a shop he owned. He clarified that he had partnered with someone in the business, and the merchandise they sold came from the same suppliers that WWF used.

Hebner explained that when John Laurinaitis took over after WCW merged with WWE, many existing agents started losing their jobs because Laurinaitis wanted to replace them with his own people. Hebner’s brother was one of WWE’s top agents and was known as Vince McMahon’s right-hand man. Hebner believes that Laurinaitis wanted to remove his brother and used his firing as a way to make that happen.

“Well, I partnered with a guy, and the merchandise was bought from the same people that WWF bought theirs from. But the whole deal was that when Johnny [Laurinaitis] came in with WCW, if you look back, a lot of their agents started disappearing because Johnny wanted to use his own agents.

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My brother was an agent, and he was Vince’s right-hand man. So, the whole thing was a big lie anyway. As for the t-shirts, Johnny fired me because he wanted to get rid of my brother. And that’s how it happened.”

Hebner also dismissed the rumor that he was selling fake WWE t-shirts from his car at wrestling events. He pointed out that it made no sense to give up a $250,000-a-year job just to sell t-shirts worth a few dollars. He insisted that the real story was never told and that the accusations against him were false.

“Why would I give up a $250,000-a-year job for a $12 t-shirt? It never made sense to me. The truth was never told—it was all a lie. But you know, there were other places I went, and I just kept going.”

Even though his WWE exit was controversial, Earl Hebner continued his career as a referee in TNA/Impact Wrestling and stayed a respected name in the business. No matter how his time in WWE ended, his legacy as one of the greatest referees in wrestling history won’t ever change.

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