HE WAS ROBBED
WWE have released Rob Gronkowski just two months after the American football player signed with Vince McMahon's company.
The tight end, who had become the longest-reigning 24/7 champion in history, finally dropped the belt to R-Truth during a vignette on Raw.
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WWE aired a short clip showing Gronk lose the gold after a 58-day reign as he was pinned in his own backyard in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The unique stipulation to the belt means the champ has to be ready to defend it at all times against anybody, including on the football field.
Truth, who has held the 24/7 title the most since its inception in May 2019, lifted the strap for the 36th time by disguising himself as a landscaper and blindsiding the NFL star for the win.
According to a new report from Wrestling Inc., this was done because Gronkowski had been granted his release from WWE.
The 30-year-old exercised a release clause that frees him of any future obligations with the wrestling company after announcing he was returning to the NFL.
His WWE contract does still contain a no-compete clause that prevents him from appearing in AEW or Ring of Honor for the foreseeable future.
Despite rumours he was pursuing a career in professional wrestling, Gronk came out of NFL retirement last month to join former team-mate Tom Brady at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The three-time Super Bowl winner is returning to the game after originally stepping away 12 months ago.
His decision came just a few weeks after Gronk hosted this month’s WrestleMania 36 and pinned close friend Mojo Rawley to win the 24/7 Title.
He also played an on-screen role at WrestleMania 33, when he jumped into the ring to help WWE star Rawley win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Watch CM Punk discuss a return to wrestling