Lilian Garcia Reveals Reason Behind WWE Departure

Lilian Garcia is one of the most recognizable names in WWE history as she made a name for herself as a WWE announcer for several years. She eventually left WWE as an announcer several years ago and has now revealed the reason for her departure.

Garcia joined WWE in 1999, and was also part of several storylines during her time with the company. She left in 2009, returned in 2011, and stayed for five more years before departing in 2016.

During an interview with Ten Count Media, Garcia shared the emotional story of her father’s illness. In March 2015, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, prompting her to move him in with her for treatment. The hospital near his home in South Carolina had run out of options, so she brought him to California for experimental treatments.

“My father got really sick, and I took care of him. We found out at the end of 2015 that he’s got bladder cancer, and I moved him in with me because the hospital in South Carolina where he lived had run out of options. I moved him in with me [in] March of 2016, and he was going to City of Hope, and they were trying all sorts of different experiments on him.”

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By August 2016, doctors informed the family that her father had limited time left, though they kept this news from him. Garcia decided to step away from her WWE career to care for him full-time, knowing it was the right choice. He passed away on Christmas Day in 2016. Reflecting on her decision, Garcia said that while she would have continued working with WWE if circumstances were different, she has no regrets about prioritizing her father’s care.

“And then it was in August of 2016 that they said to us, they didn’t tell him we wanted to keep it away from him. But they told my sister and I that he had two weeks to three months to live, and I just knew I couldn’t get back on a plane. I knew that was it my sister and I went full on caretaking for him, and he ended up lasting five months. But he passed on Christmas Day in 2016, and I still look back, and I know I made the right decision.” 

Lilian Garcia also made a surprise appearance during an episode of Monday Night RAW this year. Regardless, fans will always love and respect Garcia for her time in WWE and that is never changing.

What’s your view on what Lilian Garcia had to say about her WWE departure? Do you feel it was the best decision for her? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!