WWE dumping beloved R-Truth in shocker
He himself reported on Sunday that he was being 'released,' which stunned many in wrestling, and has since been verified by wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp on X, who says Truth will be out of the company when his current deal expires.
The 53-year-old, whose real name is Ron Killings, concludes a tenure that spanned over 17 years, much longer than his first stint at the company, which ran from 1999-2001.
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4 R-Truth is leaving WWE when his contract expires.
WWE via Getty Images
4 R-Truth makes his entrance during SmackDown at First Horizon Center on May 30, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
WWE via Getty Images
In a heartfelt message shared on X, Killings expressed his gratitude:
'Im sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE. I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride,' he wrote. 'Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you.'
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There is 'a lot of shock and disbelief within the WWE roster' over Truth being let go, according to Sapp.
Killings' departure follows his recent storyline involvement with current WWE Undisputed champion John Cena.
At WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event on May 24, Killings faced Cena in a match that ended with Cena cheating to win, marking Killings' final high-profile televised appearance with the company to date.
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He also just wrestled JC Mateo in a match on 'SmackDown' this past Friday.
4 John Cena addresses R-Truth during the WWE Backlash Press Conference at Enterprise Center on May 10, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri.
WWE via Getty Images
The wrestling community in and out of WWE has responded to Killings' announcement with an outpouring of support.
Fellow competitors, including Rhea Ripley and Pat McAfee, took to social media to share their appreciation for Killings' contributions to the company.
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'In all seriousness, this is literally so heartbreaking… Thank you Truth,' Ripley posted in a reply to Killings' tweet.
McAfee added in a separate post, 'I love @RonKillings It's guaranteed joy when he's a part of a segment.. He's also my dad's favorite WWE Superstar of all time. The McAfees are bummed aht but we all know R Truth will continue to bless the world with his BIG ass brain,' he wrote, then adding, 'THANK YOU TRUTH.'
4 R-Truth (l.) and The Miz (r.) celebrate winning the tag team championships at WrestleMania 40.
Getty Images
Throughout his career, Killings achieved numerous accolades.
He is a two-time WWE United States champion, a two-time WWE Tag Team champion, once with Kofi Kingston and another with The Miz, and he holds the record for the most reigns as WWE 24/7 champion, with 54 title wins.
Killings has also challenged for the WWE title on multiple occasions.
Before his WWE tenure, Killings made history in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) by becoming the first recognized Black NWA World Heavyweight champion, a title he held twice.
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He was also a three-time Tag Team champion in TNA, including once with former NFL cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones while the latter was suspended one year from the league in 2007.
Killings is most known for his comedic segments and providing levity to various forms of WWE programming, which is now being lamented on social media with the news of his release.
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