— According to Sports Illustrated, Big Cass was released yesterday from his WWE contract in large part due to his “personal conduct” – specifically his excessive drinking in public during the recently completed European tour as well as general attitude issues. The drinking is said to be one of the major underlying reasons for his firing.
— Pro Wrestling Sheet adds that it wasn’t just one incident that led to his dismissal and that on the European tour, one specific issue may have been the tipping point. While being shuttled on a bus, Cass went to use the bathroom which had a non-functioning lock. However, Cass thought he was being pranked and after being stuck inside for a long time, he ended up breaking the door down to get out. This meant that for the rest of the trip, other talent had to use the bathroom without a door. Some wrestlers were said to be understandably upset while others were more sympathetic.
— This took place very soon after the Smackdown incident in which Cass beat up a “little person” even though he was clearly instructed not to do so by both WWE producers and Vince McMahon himself. Together, along with a couple of more minor incidents and his overall attitude very likely led his release.