Longtime WWE star R-Truth announces departure from company

R-Truth, whose real name is Ron Killings, made the revelation in a post on social media.

"Im sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE," he wrote on X. "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."

It kicked off a weeks-long rivalry that eventually saw Cena put an end to R-Truth, who had been billed as one of Cena's "childhood heroes."

R-Truth then lost to JC Mateo on "Friday Night SmackDown."

The pro wrestling world sent their well wishes to R-Truth after the announcement.

He initially joined WWE in 1999 and debuted as "K-Kwik" with "Road Dogg" Jesse James. He was there from 1999 to 2001, when he was released for the first time. He spent time with Total Nonstop Action wrestling before he made his way back to WWE in 2008.

He returned as R-Truth and had been a highly favored competitor in the ring and on the mic as well.

R-Truth was a United States champion, hardcore champion and world tag-team champion two times each. He held the short-lived 24/7 Championship a record 54 times. In 2004, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked him 18th on the list of top 500 wrestlers in the business.