PWInsider.com reports that WWE quietly wished Dave “Fit” Finlay the best in his future endeavors in the early part of this week.
Sources attribute the release to a controversial booking decision made on the weekend house show in Champaign, Illinois, for which Finlay was the lead producer.
The controversial call saw The Miz booked to “interrupt” the singing of the national anthem in order to fuel heel heat for his match with Randy Orton. Given that there was a heavy presence of National Guard representatives in attendance, the decision was condemned for going too far in trying to garner heel heat for a character.
The Guard is, additionally, a key partner and sponsor for WWE, so its voice carries weight beyond what even a military force would be expected to possess.
Finlay was very respected and well-liked within the lockerroom and the wrestling industry at large, but given the significance of the controversy, WWE felt someone had to “fall on the sword.” As the top agent for the show, he was picked to be the one held responsible.