Though there still hasn't been any comment from WWE, Pro Wrestling Sheet's Ryan Satin has gone on record confirming Lillian Garcia's statements that she's not been released by the company, and is on approved leave to be with a sick relative.
That family member is her father, who experienced major complications in his cancer treatment. He is reportedly doing much better, and that's why Garcia told fans on Twitter she plans to be on Raw this Monday in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Following Satin's report, Lillian posted a picture with her father to her official Facebook fan page, and issued the following statement:
Imagine my surprise today when I woke up to find out that I was among the top trends in the world on twitter! What for, I said to myself....wait, does that say "Lilian Garcia released from WWE"?? That's when I knew I had to set the story straight. As you know, I have been absent from TV for the past few weeks missing "WWE Payback" & two "WWE Monday Night Raw's". I mentioned on twitter that it was due to a family member being ill. Well, that family member is my father. He has been battling bladder cancer and multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) and due to a reaction to the chemotherapy, he became very ill these past two weeks. On top of that, he had to go into two emergency procedures on his kidneys. To say he has had it tough is an understatement. However, he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army, being a Veteran from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, so his spirit is that of a fighter. I am so inspired by how he has taken on this disease and continues to battle it with all his might. He has allowed me to share this story as he hopes his journey will inspire anyone else who is battling cancer. Luckily he is doing much better now and gearing up for a new treatment next week. As you can imagine, my entire family has been through a rollercoaster of emotions and cherishing all the time we have with him. I truly believe in the power of prayer and ask all of you to please pray for him and also my mother. They have been married for 62 years, so you can imagine the bond they share together.
I want to thank all of you for the many messages you have tweeted & FB'd me when you thought I had been released. It truly shows me how much I matter to you, and right now more than ever, I needed to know that. Above all, I want to thank the WWE for all their support & love during this hard time. They have been constantly checking in on me and also given me the time I needed to get my father strong again. I feel so proud to work for a company that cares so much.
So, on to Monday, I will be back on RAW and couldn't be happier as I have missed you all very much!! Thank you and I love you!!!
Xoxo,
Lilian
No word from Court Bauer, who said on his podcast yesterday (May 13) on MLW that she'd been released. He did say that WWE may simply be not renewing her contract, as they're reportedly doing with Wade Barrett and others.
For now, we wish Lillian's father and her family the best, and look forward to seeing her on Raw.
And then we'll resume watching for the next round of rumored cuts...
UPDATE: Court Bauer has Tweeted out an apology for passing along what turned out to a bad report:
It’s important to be accountable when you whiff on a story. I want to apologize to @LilianGarcia for yesterday’s erroneous report. (cont’d)
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 14, 2016
There’s nothing worse than when you get a story wrong be it because of a source (in this case) or otherwise, it sucks but I make no excuses.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 14, 2016
Especially given the personal situation involving @LilanGarcia and her father. For that I feel doubly disappointed and upset.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 14, 2016
My sincere apologies to @LilianGarcia on getting the story wrong but I am glad to hear everything is improving. Thoughts & prayers with her.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 14, 2016
@MatthewKleen30 the source was very specific and clearly very wrong but that’s on me. I take full accountability.
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 14, 2016