WWE aired a teaser during the July 13 episode of Raw, hinting at the return of a familiar face from nearly a decade ago — Big Cass. The video ended with the date “8/3,” a clear nod to the Monday Night Raw following SummerSlam.
For longtime WWE fans, this was more than just another teaser. If Big Cass is indeed on his way back, it would mark his first WWE appearance in nearly eight years and could begin a compelling redemption story after everything he has experienced since leaving the company.
From Queens Playground to WWE’s Main Roster
Long before the bright lights of WWE, William Morrissey was a basketball player from Glendale, Queens. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School and later played center for the NYU Violets. At the time, wrestling wasn’t part of his career plan—he was studying economics. That changed in 2011 when he signed with WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). Just two years later, he was paired with Enzo Amore, a partnership that would define the early years of his wrestling career.
Branded as “the realest guys in the room,” Enzo and Cass quickly became one of NXT’s most popular tag teams. Their charisma, entertaining promos, and natural chemistry helped them win NXT Tag Team of the Year honors in 2015. The duo made their main roster debut on the Raw after WrestleMania 32 in 2016, and their act connected with fans immediately. Enzo’s microphone skills, Cass’ imposing presence, and their authentic chemistry made them one of WWE’s most entertaining acts.
The Turn, the Injury, and the Fall
Everything changed in 2017. A WWE storyline revealed that Cass had been secretly attacking Enzo Amore backstage for weeks, leading to the breakup of the team and turning Cass into a heel. However, just weeks into his singles push, he suffered a torn ACL, forcing him out of action for nearly eight months. Cass returned in 2018 and entered a feud with Daniel Bryan. He competed at the Greatest Royal Rumble before losing to Bryan at both Backlash and Money in the Bank.
Just two days after his Money in the Bank defeat, WWE released Big Cass. The company issued only a brief statement without explaining the decision. Reports later claimed that during a SmackDown segment involving a wrestler portraying a little person, Cass took the angle further than producers—and Vince McMahon—had approved. Other reports also pointed to personal conduct issues, including drinking during WWE’s European tour.
Cass later shared his side of the story in an interview with Cageside Seats, saying that depression, anxiety, and alcohol addiction were the real reasons his WWE run fell apart. It was one of the rare occasions where a wrestler openly discussed the personal struggles behind a high-profile release. A few months later, in December 2018, he suffered an epileptic seizure during a House of Hardcore event.
That experience became a turning point. With the support of Diamond Dallas Page (DDP), Cass got sober and sought treatment for depression. He has since credited that period with saving not only his wrestling career but also his life.
Rebuilding on the Independent Scene
The years that followed were far from glamorous. After leaving WWE, Cass worked across the independent wrestling scene under names like Big Cazz and CazXL. He accepted bookings wherever he could, rebuilding his reputation one match at a time through consistent performances and hard work.
In 2021, he signed with Impact Wrestling as W. Morrissey, a move that gave him the opportunity to prove how much he had changed. His run wasn’t just about reviving his career—it also showed fans and critics that he had matured both as a performer and as a person.
Finding a Home in AEW
AEW came calling in 2022, giving William Morrissey another chance on a major stage. He made his debut in March and signed a full-time contract by August, adopting the ring name Big Bill. His AEW run featured several memorable moments, beginning with his time in Stokely Hathaway’s The Firm before forming a successful tag team with Ricky Starks.
The partnership with Starks led to the biggest championship success of his career. In October 2023, the duo defeated FTR to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship. They held the titles for 123 days before dropping them to Sting and Darby Allin, cementing themselves as one of the company’s top tag teams during that period.
Big Bill later joined Chris Jericho’s controversial Learning Tree faction alongside Bryan Keith. In 2026, the two began teaming under the name Paid In Full, a pairing that became one of Big Bill’s most popular runs in AEW, even if the act divided fan opinion. However, once Jericho stepped away from television, the group’s momentum quickly faded. Big Bill made his final AEW appearance in a parking lot brawl on Collision in February and was largely absent from AEW programming afterward.
Why He Left, and Why WWE Wants Him Back
By early July 2026, reports confirmed what had been rumored for weeks: Big Bill’s AEW contract was set to expire, and he had informed the company that he would not be signing a new deal. According to multiple reports, WWE had been waiting for his AEW contract to run out before making its move. The plan is believed to include bringing back Enzo Amore as well, with the former tag team expected to reunite if both deals are finalized.
The move makes sense from WWE’s perspective. The company’s tag team division has lost several established teams in recent years, and a reunited Enzo & Cass would instantly bring familiarity and star power without needing much introduction. They remain one of the most recognizable tag teams from the NXT and early main roster era.
Just as importantly, both men have evolved since their original WWE run. Big Bill, in particular, has spent the past several years improving his in-ring abilities and rebuilding his reputation. Injuries and off-screen controversies limited his first run with the company, but his work outside WWE has shown a more polished, experienced, and mature performer who could make a much stronger impact if he returns.
What Comes Next
This story isn’t simply about bringing back a popular tag team for nostalgia. It’s about a performer who was released under difficult circumstances, openly acknowledged the personal struggles that led to his downfall, got the help he needed, and spent years rebuilding his career through Impact Wrestling, the independent scene, and AEW before earning another opportunity on wrestling’s biggest stage.
If Big Bill returns to WWE, it would complete a remarkable full-circle journey. Whether WWE reunites him with Enzo Amore for a long-term run or a short-term storyline will depend on the company’s creative plans. Either way, the teaser has already generated significant buzz, with fans once again talking about a partnership that first captured attention more than a decade ago.
For a tag team division that has been searching for recognizable talent, a version of Big Bill shaped by everything he has experienced since 2018 could prove to be an even more compelling performer than the Big Cass WWE originally released.
Gaurav Sharma
Founder & Lead Writer, Wrestling Nightmare
I’ve been hooked on wrestling since childhood—from the Attitude Era to today’s Bloodline saga, plus AEW and TNA. My favorite match of all time is The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2002), and I’ll always stand by Bray Wyatt’s untapped potential.
At Wrestling Nightmare, I break down news, analyze matches, and drop verified recaps. Got a correction or wanna debate? Hit me up at contact@wrestlingnightmare.com
