Why Sean Waltman Left WWE In 2002, Explained
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Sean Waltman, also known by his ring names X-Pac and Syxx, is a professional wrestler who rose to fame during the 1990s and early 2000s. He began his wrestling career in 1989 and joined WWE in 1993.
Sean Waltman's WWE And WCW Career
During his time WWE, Waltman performed under the ring name 1-2-3 Kid, and quickly gained popularity for his high-flying moves and underdog persona. He became a key player in the company's mid-card and was involved in memorable matches with the likes of Bret Hart, Razor Ramon, and Jeff Jarrett. In 1996, Waltman left WWE for rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he adopted the ring name Syxx and became a founding member of the New World Order (nWo) faction.
Waltman's time in WCW was marked by controversy, as his soberness was constantly questioned, as well as his contract negotiations fell apart, and he was subsequently fired from the company. He returned to WWE later that year and adopted the ring name X-Pac as a member of the popular stable D-Generation X. X-Pac's high-energy style and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite, and he was involved in several notable storylines, including a revival of the nWo faction after WWE bought WCW.
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Why X-Pac Was Fired From WWE In 2002
In 2002, a group of wrestling legends - Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan - returned to the WWE after a stint in the rival promotion WCW. This event brought back memories of the trio's former glory days, especially Hogan's, who had become a cultural icon in the 1980s and early 1990s. WWE in turn, sought to capitalize on Hogan's popularity by using him as a draw for their audience. However, this move proved to be problematic for another wrestler in the company - Sean Waltman, also known by his ring names X-Pac and Syxx.
Waltman had been out of action due to an injury, but when he returned, he found himself embroiled in a storyline where he had to attack Hogan. Waltman claimed that he had been waiting for four years to do so, stemming from comments Hogan had made on WCW Thunder in 1998 after Waltman was fired from the company. Hogan had stated that Waltman "couldn't cut the mustard," a remark that had stuck with Waltman ever since. However, this storyline was quickly dropped, as the nWo members were drafted to Raw while Hogan was drafted to SmackDown in the first-ever WWE Draft Lottery. Meanwhile, Waltman found himself in a feud with the tag team of Booker T and Goldust. Booker T, who was poised to take the next step in his WWE evolution to the main event level, was booked to beat Waltman in a short feud between the two.
There were rumors that Waltman had refused to lose to Booker T, but Waltman had suffered an injury due to a botched spine buster, which had prevented him from participating in the match. Additionally, he had collapsed at an airport for unknown reasons, which further complicated his situation, especially with his troubled past filled with addiction issues. These issues allegedly led to Waltman being released from WWE on August 25, 2002. Although his departure was not directly related to the Hogan storyline or his feud with Booker T, it was clear that Waltman's time with the company had come to an end.
RELATED: 10 Things Fans Forget About Sean Waltman (Syxx) In WCW
Sean Waltman Becomes A WWE Hall Of Famer
After departing WWE in 2002, Sean Waltman did not wrestle for the company full-time again. He made appearances on WWE TV during reunion shows but did not have any wrestling matches. In 2019, Waltman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of D-Generation X. The following year, he was honored again, this time as part of the New World Order stable, alongside Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall. This made Waltman the first person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame twice as part of a team or group, and the first to be inducted two years in a row.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony was delayed, but it eventually took place, allowing Waltman and his fellow inductees to be recognized for their contributions to the world of professional wrestling. Sean Waltman's career in professional wrestling has been controversial. However, he has also left a lasting impact on the industry, particularly through his roles in iconic wrestling factions such as D-Generation X and the New World Order.
