Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco Reportedly Released by WWE

Gerald Brisco was among the layoffs made by WWE nearly two weeks ago, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer.  

Brisco had worked in a backstage role for WWE since the mid-1980s. Most fans remember the 73-year-old from his on-screen character as one of Vince McMahon's "Stooges" during the Attitude Era.

Before retiring, Brisco and his brother Jack were tag team champions for a number of promotions across the country. His biggest contributions to the business have come through his work with WWE and track record of talent discovery.

Brisco helped Hulk Hogan get into wrestling in the 1970s and identified Brock Lesnar as a target for WWE when Lesnar was competing collegiately at Minnesota.

WWE announced April 15 it was planning to make cuts to the active roster and general staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During its first quarterly report for 2020, the company said revenues had risen 60 percent. Chairman Vince McMahon added that WWE's "financial performance was strong and largely unimpacted by the COVID-19 outbreak."