Breaking News: WWE Fires Finlay

World Wrestling Entertainment released Dave Finlay yesterday. He had been solely working as an agent/producer since retiring from in-ring competition last year.

PWInsider reports that WWE Champion The Miz was booked to interrupt the national anthem during a live event in Champaign, Illinois on Friday. A number of representatives for the National Guard were in attendance (a huge partner and sponsor for WWE) and they were not pleased with the anthem being used to draw heel heat.

According to the report, once key WWE officials were informed of the ordeal, a decision was made to terminate his contract immediately, since he was the event's top producer. Basically, he "had to fall on the sword" and take responsibility for the incident.

His release from the organization comes as a shock to numerous employees. Finlay is well liked and many people are hoping that it is a situation where he could be brought back in the future once things cool off.

Finlay had been with the company from 2001 and was considered the top producer in the organization. Many credit him with orchestrating the women's division over the past decade.