Wade Barrett Just Confirmed His Departure From WWE

WWE Superstar Wade Barrett has just confirmed his departure from WWE via Twitter:

After almost 9 years, today saw my final day with WWE. I made a decision back in August last year not to re-sign once my current contract expired in June 2016, and I’ve not reached an agreement with management to dissolve the contract a few weeks early. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, especially the guys I’ve shared a ring & locker room with. I will miss them tremendously.

As planned, I am now taking a well-earned break from the wrestling industry in order to expand my horizons, but I’ll be back in the rng when the time is right.

Thanks for the support everyone, I’ll see you all down the road.

The rumor broke back in February that he would be leaving WWE when his contract expired in the summer. Barrett had been with the company since starting out in Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2007. He would go on to become a five-time Intercontinental Champion, a King of the Ring winner, and, of course, give us this incredible GIF for the ages:

Barrett joins Santino, Cameron, Hornswoggle, Alex Riley, El Torito, and Zeb Colter in parting ways with WWE today.