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Every professional wrestler, no matter where they're based out of, or how they get their start, dreams of one day competing in the WWE. While there are a handful of wrestlers who openly claim that they're not interested in working for the company, there is very little doubt that they, at one point or the other, harboured dreams of wrestling inside a WWE ring.
Nothing is perfect in professional wrestling, and neither are the WWE officials. While Superstars are let go every year, it doesn't necessarily reflect negatively on their talent, or about what they can offer to promotions. The fact that WWE has hundreds of Superstars on its roster means that they need to squeeze some of them into storylines, while the others have to wait for their turn. While few performers are happy to just be in the company, we've seen multiple wrestlers go back to the independents, and make a name for themselves.
So lets take a look at 10 wrestlers who have done just that, and hence, WWE regrets letting go.
Carlito
#10 Carlito
Carlito showed the WWE Universe what it meant to be “cool”, and bulked up the mid card in the promotion. While Carlito was never seen as a future WWE Champion, he provided more steel to the spine, which is the upper mid card in the company.
Carlito's character and personality resonated with the fans, and he was a credible United States Champion. However, his drug addiction, and his refusal to go to rehab led to his release from the company. While one can certainly understand why the promotion decided to cut ties with him, he would make a great addition to the current WWE roster.
Moreover, after being released from WWE, Carlito started making splashes on the independent scene, and became a major star in Mexico. He is one of the few “what if” stories in professional wrestling, and WWE would love to welcome him back, provided he gets his act together.
Gail Kim
#9 Gail Kim
Gail Kim is widely considered to be one of the best female wrestlers of the past two decades. However, one could also rightly argue that she hasn't received due credit during her two stints with the WWE. Kim is a former WWE Women's Champion, and belonged to an era when the likes of Trish Stratus and Lita dominated the women's division.
Gail harboured hopes of taking the women's division in the company to greater heights, and was signed back after she left the then TNA. However, Gail has since revealed that she was always held back, and wasn't happy with WWE's direction (or lack of) for the women's division, and for her character.
In an act that summed up her WWE tenure, Gail eliminated herself from a battle royal in what would be her final WWE match, and refused to work for the company ever again. She has since won the TNA Knockouts Championship on seven different occasions, and was inducted into the TNA Hall Of Fame in 2016. WWE definitely missed the boat with one of the greatest women's wrestlers of this generation, who could've spearheaded the women's revolution in the company.
John Morrison
#8 John Morrison
Morrison was considered to be the Shawn Michaels, while The Miz was expected to play the part of Marty Jannetty during their time as a tag team. Morrison had everything – the looks, the skills, and the ability to connect with the fans. His series of matches with CM Punk were considered to be the highlights, of what was otherwise a hugely disappointing return of ECW.
Morrison landed himself in hot water with the other WWE Superstars – and reportedly with Vince McMahon himself, after rumours started making rounds of Malina's relationship with Batista. In the ring, however, John was one of the best workers, and won the ECW World Championship, along with multiple runs as the Intercontinental Champion and one half of the tag team champions in the company.
After leaving WWE, Morrison took the independent scene by storm, winning titles everywhere. Morrison currently wrestles for Impact Wrestling, and if the mass exodus of Impact stars is to be taken as a sign, we may very well see him again in a WWE ring soon.
AJ Lee
#7 AJ Lee
With all the talk about women's revolution, no one can take away AJ Lee's contribution to the women's division. Placed amongst 'divas' and eye candies, AJ was the spark that the division needed. AJ Lee was the complete package; unlike her contemporaries, AJ Lee could also wrestle, making her a fan favourite with the ardent wrestling supporters.
While her WWE career did not span decades like a few other Superstars, in the short amount of time she was with the company, she made a tangible impact. Her promo about the other divas, and the 'Total Divas' show resonated with the fans that were tired of the same, monotonous, lacklustre divas matches.
AJ won the Divas Championship on three different occasions, but decided to call it a career in 2015. In the months leading to her departure, AJ spoke out about the women needing more air time and pay parity, and was also caught in the midst of escalating tensions between her real – life husband, CM Punk and the WWE.
CM Punk
#6 CM Punk
Talking about CM Punk, a year doesn't go by without rumours circulating about his 'imminent' return to the company. Punk is arguably the most polarising figure in sports entertainment, and was never shy about voicing his opinions.
While Punk rubbed the WWE management the wrong way since the very beginning, the fact that he was so good at what he did forced the WWE officials to put the World Heavyweight title on him. In 2011, Punk made wrestling relevant again in just six minutes, with his 'Pipe Bomb' promo going viral, and getting the casual fans talking about WWE and professional wrestling.
However, Punk wasn't happy with his position in the company. No matter what he did, or how well he performed, he was never quite able to appease the WWE brass, who wanted the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns to represent the company. Punk had a very public fall out with WWE, but every time the company visits the Windy City – or any of the traditional wrestling cities, the fans can't help themselves from chanting his name.
Cody Rhodes
#5 Cody Rhodes
The son of the legendary 'American Dream' certainly has made his point since leaving WWE. Cody Rhodes was destined for greatness; it was just a matter of time for Cody to find his place in the wrestling world. During his time with the WWE, Cody tried everything – from being a stable mate, to wrestling with a tag team partner, and finally, changing his gimmick and completely reinventing himself.
However, none of that helped Cody break into the upper echelons of the company. While as Stardust, he did win a lot of fans over, but he soon realized that he had to go back to the independents to truly rediscover himself. And that is exactly what he has done. Cody is now one of the top names in the business, and has even claimed to have drawn seven figures last year – a sum unheard of on the independents!
WWE would be closely monitoring Cody's status with Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro
Wrestling, and would, to no one's surprise, pounce on the first opportunity they get to re-sign him.
Rey Mysterio
#4 Rey Mysterio
The return of the master of 619 at the Royal Rumble proved that the former World Heavyweight Champion hasn't skipped a beat, and could still go on the biggest stage. Rey Mysterio's absence had left a massive void in the company, and WWE tried to replace Rey with the likes of Del Rio and Sin Cara, an effort that did not bear fruits.
Mysterio's time with WWE saw him winning multiple championships, and in 2006, Rey defied the odds by winning the Royal Rumble match. As the adage goes, you never know what you have until it's gone, and WWE found that the hard way when Rey could no longer continue to work WWE's punishing schedule.
Rey was catered to the Hispanic fan base, and in his absence, the company hasn't unearthed a suitable replacement. WWE had been reaching out to Rey Mysterio about a potential return, and while Rey made a one – off appearance at the Royal Rumble, WWE will be hoping to bring Mysterio back to the company on a full – time basis.
Bobby Lashley
#3 Bobby Lashley
The former Impact World Champion has been granted his release from the promotion, prompting talks about an impending return to WWE. Bobby Lashley was one of Vince McMahon's pet projects during his time with ECW. Given his remarkable physique, Lashley was tipped to achieve great things in the company, but he never lived up to his potential.
Lashley won the WWE United States Championship, and was the focal point on the newly created ECW brand. Once Lashley was drafted to RAW, he was immediately placed in the WWE title picture, and was given the time and the opportunity to grow as a performer. However, Lashley soon fell out of love with the hectic schedule and the constant travel, and was released from his contract in 2008.
Bobby has since won numerous titles on the independents, and was one of Impact Wrestling's marquee names. Lashley is tipped to return to WWE after WrestleMania 34, and feud with Brock Lesnar. Vince McMahon wanted Lashley to take on the mantle of being the next big WWE Superstar, and one would have to imagine that the boss wasn't exactly thrilled, watching Lashley doing so well outside the WWE.
Austin Aries
#2 Austin Aries
'The Greatest Man That Ever Lived' recently returned to Impact Wrestling, and immediately won the Impact Global Championship and the Impact Grand Championship. Aries was signed to WWE until last year, and was released by WWE in July.
Considering the fact that the current cruiserweight division only has about dozen Superstars, the company could've definitely used Aries's talent on the roster. It was reported that 'A Double' was unpopular with the Superstars and officials alike, and rubbed people the wrong way.
However, there is no denying the fact that Austin Aries is one of the most talented performers in the world today. The fact that WWE lost the services of Aries and Neville in the space of a few months considerably weakened their cruiserweight roster, and the current Impact Global Champion could've given the division much needed stability.
Kenny Omega
#1 Kenny Omega
At this point, very few wrestling fans wouldn't have heard the name of Kenny Omega. 'The Cleaner' took his skills to New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is one of the top wrestlers in the world today. He recently put on a five – star match with Chris Jericho – something that got the wrestling world buzzing.
But he could've been plying his trade in WWE instead, if only the company managed to keep a hold of him a decade ago. In 2005, Omega was signed to a developmental deal, and was sent down to Deep South Wrestling. While Kenny has spoken fondly about getting the opportunity to train with Dave Taylor, that is the only good thing he had to say about his entire time with DSW.
Omega was critical of the promoters and trainers at WWE's then – developmental territory, and it was later revealed that he had rebuffed WWE's advances over the past couple of years to sign him once again. Kenny has since won multiple world championships, and is constantly linked with a return to WWE – a testament to how badly the promotion wants to make up for its past mistakes!
