R-Truth departing WWE as contract not renewed

Despite just being involved in a significant program, R-Truth is departing WWE.

The 53-year-old Truth (Ron Killings) sent out a tweet today saying that he’s been released from WWE. He thanked the company for his time there and the fans for all of the love and support they’ve given him.

“Im sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE,” Truth wrote. “I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride, Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you”

Fightful confirmed that Truth will be departing WWE when his contract expires. Technically, that means his contract isn’t being renewed rather than an outright release.

The news comes just over a week after Truth was an opponent for Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena during Cena’s ongoing retirement tour. After an angle between the two at Backlash, Cena defeated Truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24.

Truth was also in action on SmackDown this past Friday, losing to JC Mateo.

After an initial stint with WWE in the early 2000s, R-Truth returned to the company in 2008 for what ended up being a 17-year run. He played a comedic character for much of that time and was a fan-favorite with WWE audiences.

Road Dogg, the co-lead writer of SmackDown, tweeted that he’s “heartbroken” over Truth’s contract not being renewed. The two were tag team partners during Truth’s early WWE career.

“I am heartbroken,” Road Dogg wrote in a post that has since been deleted. “It’s the nature of the beast; the part of business that no one likes but the bean counters. I love Ron the Truth Killings and I don’t care who knows it. WHAT A RUN!”