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NXT Referee Kept Out Of Capitol Wrestling Center Following Suspension Earlier This Year
WWE referee Drake Wuertz, who primarily officiates matches for NXT has created some controversy over the last year, which has led to his duties being reduced.
Last fall, journalist David Bixenspan published a story on Wuertz, revealing he followed and supported controversial organizations, including the Proud Boys and accounts that support QAnon conspiracy.
Wuertz released a statement claiming he’s being falsely labeled as “something he is not,” and says his family has become recklessly attacked and bullied online due to the article.
According to Fightful Select (subscription required), Wuertz was “either formally or informally suspended” earlier this year, and was barred from the Capitol Wrestling Center. Several higher-ups in WWE were “horrified” with things they read in David Bixenspan’s article.
Yesterday afternoon, ahead of the NXT television broadcast, Wuertz zoomed into a Seminole County Commissioners meeting urging to end the regional mask mandate. Wuertz claims the mandate makes it easier for child sex traffickers.
The 6-hour meeting ended with the country keeping the mask mandate in place after recommendations from medical experts
https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1387259525040943104?s=20
The report from Fightful notes, “upon his return to the CWC he appeared to have subdued many mannerisms that got him ‘substantial heat’ with many at the Performance Center.
Drake Wuertz was formerly the head referee in NXT, but has now been replaced by Darryl Sharma. He was also timing matches for NXT, but that role was offered to Scott Armstrong. He was also not offered the role as a backup timer, a role that also times matches for 205 Live. That role has been given to DA Brewer.
Many backstage are surprised Wuertz is still employed, and the fear is “his radical beliefs may have actually helped him from being fired.”