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More details on Drew Gulak departure and Triple H's comments

At the WWE post show press conference, Triple H answered a question regarding Drew Gulak, noting that he was not released by the company.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp and Corey Brennan have confirmed with multiple WWE and NXT sources that Gulak is actually still with the company but was informed would not be re-signing him once his deal expires next month. Gulak was informed recently.

In regards to the recent claims of sexual misconduct made by Ronda Rousey, Brennan is told that this initiated an investigation by WWE into the incident and Gulak as a whole. From those we spoke to in NXT, the belief is that Gulak’s public response to Rousey’s claim only made things worse for the former Cruiserweight Champion, but was not the determining factor in the decision to not bring him back.

In asking around with talent in NXT, several talent made claims to Brennan that Gulak was a ‘bully’ who would often target injuries during matches with talent that were recovering from minor injuries at the time. One talent claimed that during a match with Gulak, the former No Quarter Catch Crew member purposefully re-dislocated a previously dislocated finger, while another claimed that Gulak would intimidate talent into not reporting the incidents.

Fightful also learned of an incident during an NXT taping last year where Gulak was verbally reprimanded by Shawn Michaels and NXT coaches for intentionally spiking an opponent during a match.

One NXT talent who worked with Gulak noted that he was “odd” in the sense that he would often ‘test’ talent to see if they would react to his bullying.

In regards to the Triple H comments, we'll provide as much transparency as possible. It was reiterated to us by WWE and Triple H that the comments weren't intended to be directed at Fightful or PWInsider. Whether anyone chooses to believe that is up to them, but Fightful received numerous apologies. We were told Triple H's particular issue was that Ronda Rouseys accusations of Gulak grabbing her sweatpants string were not the contributing factor to Gulak's departure. We will discuss the situation more on this week's shows. We're told PWInsider received apologies as well -- whether or not those apologies to the outlets are in good faith are to be determined.

While Gulak is actually still under WWE contract, and was informed that his WWE deal would not be renewed, despite him wishing to remain with the company.

Comments

My condolences for your grandma Sean. I have been through it twice, and it's never easy. I'm guessing Triple H was concerned about the perception Drew was being let go over sexual misconduct, which as far as I know wasn't proven. It could cost Drew future work, and I'm sure that was a concern to Hunter. He definitely could have handled that better and articulated his position more clearly at the press conference though.

Daniel Schein

Because as outlined, they looked into it.

Fightful Select

Paul Leveque is one of those douches that have learned to be pompous from the old regime. They clearly like using the media to their advantage and are playing nice because AEW is around. However, you bother him enough he will show his true colours.

slick

I knew there had to be more with Gulak. So basically Gulak was a bully in the locker room. testing people and pushing people around and target injuries. Not a good look at all. Drews way of testing them. As far as Gulaks response I think when rhonda made that claim I think he felt he had to say something rather than nothing. Not gonna have someone lie on my name or lie about a certain situation not be truthful if that was his truth. I think its a combination of alot of things. they decided that drew with the bullying stuff and the incident with rousey to not resign him and they tought he was not worth keeping.

Kamonte Jackson

Money is such a small issue when it comes to making a firm statement about not tolerating any sort of bullying and/or abuse. TKO can afford that extra 60 days pay.

James Kruse

I’m sorry but does anyone really think that Hunter cares enough about any wrestling media to purposefully “attack” them? Why would he? I like Fightful Select obviously, but WWE is a juggernaut right now. If he was worried about any press it would be major media outlets about the Vince scandal.

Jonathan Davis

How did he manage to stick around as long as he did if they were aware of his antics?

e d

I have a feeling nobody will want to work with Gulak after those recent findings.

Mike Harp

In your opinion.... does the wording matter THAT much? If you are released or just not offered a new contract when your current one expires isn't the result the same? Pretending to be mad about semantics seems very unhealthy

Troy A Palek

Its an issue of wording, among those who think its an issue anyway. To me being released and just not being offered to re-sign are two versions of the same result. But people love to act mad, per usual

Troy A Palek

The most bizarre thing is Hunter could’ve just said “we heard the allegations and we investigated them. He hasn’t been released but his contract is up imminently and, based on our findings, we decided we won’t be renewing it.” That would have nipped everything in the bud right there.

Edjr13

Jesus christ. People in their feelings again.

Michael Viggiano

If his contract is due to expire next month and he was released now, he would not be paid for 90 days, only for the number of days that are remaining on his contract. Either way though, it wouldn't make a difference to when he becomes a free agent.

David Evans

This is bad i think more and more will come out of this is bad for triple HHH apologise man!!

young Jay

Ok if drew really did target people with injuries, that fkr deserves to be gone from wrestling for good. You need to be able to trust your opponent to not hurt you and if he was actively doing the opposite, then good riddance.

Nick O’Shea

Intentionally driving someone head first into the mat would be "intentionally spiking".

Stuart Beresford

Probably during bumps, possibly drivers

Tempo1337

Could someone please explain what is meant by "intentionally spiking" an opponent? Like Solo's Samoan Spike move?

Michael Adams

So he was another Bill DeMott.

rocksolid124

Why we just hearing about bully now when been nxt for long time

Chris Spires

Because one is a court case and the other is a situation why someone is being let go. Not really a comparison.

Levi Lichy

I'm honestly floored that Gulak turned out to be way more of a douchebag than I would've thought.

CSDX

Why fire him pay for 90 when he’s gone in 30

Darren Lloyd

Geez even generic comments on fightful Facebook prove people either don’t read or Just automatically attack “dirt sheets” And best wishes for SRS

Darren Lloyd

That's where I am. In my business, an off the record apology didn't happen

Fightful Select

So he was a bully in addition to the Rousey stuff and they don't just fire him? Weird.

James Kruse

I believe the stuff about Gulak being a bully, but I also believe he'd still be there if Ronda didn't make this public. Just like Demott was kept around for years until the accusations against him went public. Triple H is a clown. He deflected from giving a real answer and took a needless shot at you guys knowing that a lot of his dumber fans would eat it up and praise him for it.

Chad McLaughlin

Anyone who trained people at the old Chikara dojo has turned out to be massive scumbags in human society. Either they have abused wrestlers or women. Mike Quackenbush was outed by the speaking out movement. Juan Francisco and Rory Gulak (Drew’s brother) did horrendous things that I can’t say on here. Now the report on the Drew. Regardless of the Ronda story, I would be shocked if Drew will get another job at a top promotion.

Dave Nguyen

Keep up the good work. Paul is outstanding and world-class when it comes to “this business” on the wrestling side of things - but he has no business period being a C-level officer of a public company who has to take questions like this. Cant have your cake (press conferences in which the assembled media applauds your mere presence) and eat it too, so he and their IR/PR teams better figure it out. Today's nonsense is inexcusable given that media training should have been top of to-do list after "i havent read the lawsuit" bs a couple months ago.

R L

To quote one CM Punk, the apology must be as loud and as public as the disrespect. A phone call wouldn't cut it for me after the disrespect at a televised press scrum.

Forceofwilliam

Disappointed to see the comments because I know how much you and Corey work. Seemingly could have worded it differently and just stated it was a misunderstanding and he wasn’t fired but just won’t be renewed, much like you guys reported about Reggie’s deal. Keep up the good work!

Trevor D.

Though we're not blaming the guy who raised the question in the first place, there was absolutely no need to misrepresent Fightful's reporting and there was absolutely no need for Trips to respond the way he did. Fightful Select, still the best $5 in the industry, thank you to you and your team for your incredible work every single day

ProdigalGeek

What a mess, and how pompous could Hunter have been in his response at the scrum. Gulak’s contract expiring means he’ll be able to work elsewhere immediately, right? I suppose it’s a better situation for him.

Mike Klinsky

The apologies are worthless nobody will read them everybody saw the presser. WWE is following The Trump playbook just discredit all media.

Joel Allison

Wild 😲

Ivan Yagolnikov

I don’t know what else he could’ve meant by what he said … to try and walk that back seems strange. Why say it if you don’t stand by it?

Bobby Woods

Love that Paul has the bravado to slander outlets over a guy like Drew Gulak but cowered anytime asked about Vince

Chase Hughey


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