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Gerald Brisco, a former Oklahoma State wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer, was released from WWE by chairman Vince McMahon on Wednesday.
“Last night I received a call from WWE Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon to let me know after 36 years of dedication to WWE that I am no longer needed,” Brisco tweeted Thursday. “I’m OK with this. I will still be around to help talent.
“I appreciate all the well wishes. I would also like to add that I need a little space so everyone asking for an interview at this time I need to step back take a deep breath just remember. I have no anger just emotions at this time.”
Thanks @wwe for 36 awesome years I was given an opportunity to work with thousands of brilliant staff and crew and so many talented Wrestlers and most of all the getting to be part of helping @VinceMcMahon create a empire not many people get that y,Forward https://t.co/1uyS6l8PWl
— Gbrisco ♂️ (@Fgbrisco) September 10, 2020
Brisco had previously been furloughed by the company in April.
His career in professional wrestling started in 1969 when he debuted with his brother Jack Brisco, a 1965 NCAA individual champion at OSU, as the Brisco Brothers in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
After retiring from in-ring competition in 1985, Gerald started working behind the scenes in the WWF. In 1997, he made his way onscreen “stooge” for McMahon alongside Pat Patterson. He was a two-time WWF Hardcore champion — both victories over Crash Holly in the backstage area in 2000 — and won the 24/7 championship in July 2019.
Brisco’s role in company primarily focused on scouting talent in amateur wrestling. He was responsible for finding Minnesota’s Brock Lesnar and Sheldon Benjamin, Indiana’s Nathan Everhart (Jason Jordan), 2012 Olympian Charles Betts (Chad Gable) and many others.
Brisco is part of three professional wrestling hall of fames: George Trajos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2005), WWE Hall of Fame (2008) and Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2018).