On September 21, following a series of staff layoffs due to the WWE and UFC merger which concluded on September 12, WWE commenced trimming its roster. Rick Boogs, once a prominent face on “WWE SmackDown,” was among the numerous talents released. Over the subsequent weekend, Boogs took to YouTube to convey a “quick life” update to his fans.
In the video’s comments section, Boogs candidly expressed his conviction regarding the cause of his WWE departure, stating, “I can say with 100% certainty, the removal of Vince [McMahon] killed my career.” McMahon, after a brief hiatus, has made a return to WWE, albeit in a significantly altered role. Responding to a fan, Boogs lamented, “aside from my time with Vince, the character wasn’t even given a chance.” He disclosed the myriad of challenges he encountered, noting that the audience was largely unaware of the “bull**** I’ve had to put up with.” Asserting that he has “plenty to say once the time’s right,” Boogs hinted at the existence of a “weird grudge” held against him by an unnamed individual.
Boogs’ journey in WWE began with his in-ring debut at an “NXT” house show in October 2017, leading to his televised in-ring debut on January 30, 2019, where he faced a defeat against Drew Gulak. Progressing to the main roster on the “SmackDown” brand in 2021, Boogs played a significant role as Shinsuke Nakamura’s hype man. However, a knee injury at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022 put a temporary halt to his career. Boogs made a comeback to the ring this January and had a short stint with the “WWE Raw” roster. Prior to concluding his WWE journey, Boogs made sporadic appearances on “SmackDown,” with his final WWE match at SummerSlam featuring him in a Battle Royal.
