News broke on Tuesday that reigning WWE 24/7 Champion Rob Gronkowski will be making his return to the NFL for the upcoming 2020 season. Within minutes of a report dropping that he was looking to come out of retirement, Gronk was promptly traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he’ll reunite with former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The move came as a shock to wrestling fans, considering he had just signed a deal with WWE back in March that reportedly included multiple matches and won his first championship at WrestleMania 36.
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WWE hasn’t posted an official statement regarding his departure, but they did respond to the story on Twitter.
#247Champion @RobGronkowski is on the move!!! https://t.co/xDYXdx4y6B
— WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2020
The news of Gronkowski’s sudden return to the NFL after retiring following the 2018 season broke on Wednesday via ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
And further confirmation from Rob Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who texted ESPN: “Pending the physical, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season. He will honor his current contract at this time.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
There’s no word yet on what will happen to Gronkowski’s reign as 24/7 Champion He won the title back at WrestleMania 36 Night 2 by diving off the announcer’s platform onto Mojo Rawley and hasn’t been seen on WWE television since (making his reign with the title one of the longest in its history by default).
Since last Wednesday WWE has released more than 30 active wrestlers as part of a cost-cutting measure during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a full list of every wrestler who has been released:
- Rusev
- Drake Maverick
- Karl Anderson
- Luke Gallows
- EC3
- Curt Hawkins
- Heath Slater
- Eric Young
- Lio Rush
- Aiden English
- Sarah Logan
- Erick Rowan
- Primo
- Epico
- Mike Kanellis
- Maria Kanellis
- Zack Ryder
- No Way Jose
- Deonna Purrazzo
- Aleksandar Jaksic
- MJ Jenkins
- Dan Matha
- Alyssa Marino
- Taynara Conti
- Nick Comoroto
- Cezar Bononi
- Tino Sabbatelli
- Kassius Ohno (Reportedly)
- Mohamed Fahim
- Marcos Gomes
- Faisal Kurdi
- Hussain Aldagal
- Yifeng (Rocky)
And here’s the full list of every backstage producer/referee/writer who have either been released or furloughed:
- Kurt Angle
- Shane Helms
- Lance Storm
- Billy Kidman
- Mike Rotunda
- Dave (Fit) Finlay
- Pat Buck
- Sarah Stock
- Shawn Daivari
- Scott Armstrong
- Mike Chioda (Referee)
- Andrea Listenberger (Writer)
- Chris Guy (Performance Center Trainer)
- Serena Deeb (Performance Center Trainer)
- Kendo Kashin (Performance Center Trainer)
- Jerry Soto (Spanish Announcer)
- Josiah Williamson (Interviewer)
- Jon Quasto (Announcer)
