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WWE continues to grow, as the company currently has more employees than it ever has before. This means that there are some stars who are underutilized and then released from the company without being able to show what they can achieve.
This isn't always the case, but when stars are stuck in endless storylines it often takes its toll and leads to problems when their careers come to an end. In recent years, it appears that many former WWE stars have opted to air their grievances with the company following their release and put an interesting amount of heat on themselves.
Whilst several of these stars have made it clear that they don't want to make a return to WWE and are happy to burn their bridges, others have changed their minds over the years and as WWE has transitioned, they have decided to lace up their boots once again.
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#5. Neville was released from WWE back in 2018
Neville is a former Cruiserweight and NXT Champion in WWE, but his career with the company came to an end after the British star walked out of an episode of RAW back in 2017 and refused to make his return, opting instead to sit out his contract.
After more than a year of refusing to return and being in breach of contract, Neville was reported to be no longer under contract with the company. Following his release, Neville told WrestlingInc that his booking was the reason that he left the company before going on to return to the independent circuit.
“It wasn’t really Enzo why I left, I don’t hate the lad he was just annoying backstage, and putting the title on him was bad, especially beating me, I was worth more than being jobbed out to jobbers, that’s why I left.”
The star who is now known as PAC in AEW decided to keep much of his issues with the company close to his chest and claimed that he would be "sued four times over" if he revealed any more information.
Given the way that Neville made his exit and the fact that he is now one of AEW's hottest prospects means that WWE wouldn't be interested in bringing Neville back anytime soon. The former Champion wasn't used to his full potential in his time in WWE and decided to take matters into his own hands.
#4. Melina was released from WWE in 2011
Former Women's Champion Melina has made several appearances for WWE in recent years and seems to be on good terms with the company for the first time following her release almost a decade ago.
Melina was released from the company back in 2011 and then gained a lot of backstage heat when it was revealed that the former Divas Champion had continued to attend shows with her boyfriend John Morrison.
WrestlingInc even reported that Melina was actually barred from one WWE event because she had continued to hang out backstage at shows after her release.
“It would be one thing to come visit a few months down the line but to show up at the next shows after being released, it’s a complete lack of understanding and respect. It sucks you are fired but you don’t come see the boyfriend that dumped you the next day and you don’t go to the office to hang out after getting your pink slip. She did that and made eyes roll. There were some worried she was going to physically cause a problem and with John facilitating that by having her there, well, you saw what happened on Raw.”
Melina has since moved on to wrestle for several companies outside of WWE and is now being linked with a sensational return.
#3. Enzo Amore was released from WWE back in 2018
Enzo Amore was a popular WWE star on Monday Night RAW up until his release back in January 2018 when it was revealed that he was being investigated for a crime in Arizona.
His release was reportedly linked to this and the fact that the former Cruiserweight Champion didn't inform WWE of the investigation before it was made public. Whilst Amore's release came as a shock, the heat that the former NXT star garnered, as a result, was also a huge surprise.
This even led to Enzo Amore invading Survivor Series and looking to steal the show before being tackled and led out by security. Following this, WWE wouldn't allow Amore into any more of their live events and the heat surrounding him became much worse.
It's also worth noting that Amore had a lot of backstage heat before he was released from WWE just because of the Superstar that he was and the attitude he had. Amore has since focused on his rapping career but still wrestles on the Independent Circuit under the ring name nZo.
#2. Gail Kim was released from WWE back in 2011
Former WWE star Gail Kim is one of the most influential female wrestlers of all time, but when she was told that she would be eliminated from the Women's Battle Royal on an episode of RAW back in 2011, she decided to eliminate herself and walk out of the company for good.
Kim hasn't looked back since and has been outspoken about her time in WWE. Gail Kim helped to kickstart the Women's Revolution in IMPACT Wrestling and has since shared her thoughts about WWE's Women's Revolution online and claimed that the company could have made it happen much sooner.
Kim has also made it clear that she doesn't want to return to WWE and even though she is now retired, she refused to return along with several other wrestlers and be part of the Women's Revolution in the years before her retirement.
Kim garnered a lot of heat regarding her comments about WWE online but has also gained a lot of support from other former stars as well.
#1. CM Punk was granted his WWE release back in 2014
CM Punk's departure from WWE is one of the most famous wrestling farewells of all time. Punk made the decision to leave WWE following the 2014 Royal Rumble before being officially fired by the company for breach of contract a few months later.
Punk waited several months before deciding to reveal his side of the story on Colt Cabana's podcast later that year. This podcast later went on to lead WWE doctor Chris Amann to sue Punk for defamation, but Punk was able to win the lawsuit that later caused issues between Punk and Cabana.
Following his outspoken comments about WWE and his venture into the UFC world, Punk had a lot of heat from WWE and believes that the company knew that it was his wedding day when they fired him.
It's now been almost seven years since Punk's departure and he doesn't seem to be any closer to making his return to the ring, even though the star has dropped several hints in recent months.
