WWE released a number of wrestlers back in September of 2023, one of which happened to be Eric Bugenhagen, better known to WWE fans as Rick Boogs. Former WWE star first started working with the company in 2017, and he was eventually called up to SmackDown brand in 2021. It appeared that Vince McMahon was high on the Rick Boogs character as he received a decent amount of TV time after getting called up.
Rick Boogs unfortunately suffered an injury at WrestleMania 38, and when he returned to TV in 2023 he wasn’t used nearly as much. Recently the former WWE 24/7 Champion spoke to Chris Van Vliet about how Vince McMahon’s removal from power played a part in him getting released.
“I mean, I guess, if you just look at it objectively, like look at my NXT run, and then look at, you know, when I was seen by Vince, and look at that run, and then when management or the whole regime changed again, look at that run. So a lot of people say, Oh, but he was injured, I think I can say this, I was supposed to be brought back earlier, like, when I wasn’t even cleared yet, a month or two after rehab. And I was really planning on it. pumped. Oh, man, like, I can’t really bend my knee yet Let’s get back up there. And that was just kibosh.”
While talking about whether or not he thinks someone had a grudge against him Eric Bugenhagen added, “Grudge isn’t the right word. In development, I was told, ‘You have an awesome personality, and people like you, and the crowd is with you. Just keep getting better in the ring.’ Basically, with that regime, that’s all I ever heard. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, I get where both sides are coming from.”
