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It isn't exactly a secret that WWE is the biggest wrestling promotion in the world today. WWE is a global media giant as well, boasting more than a billion social media followers. But WWE aren't the only popular pro wrestling promotion, with NJPW, AEW, and Impact Wrestling, plus several independent promotions, constituting the pro wrestling world today.
WWE has one of the most fleshed-out and talented rosters in all of wrestling. A lot of WWE's talent has worked elsewhere before they made it to the big leagues. On the other hand, there are a select few who have only worked for Vince McMahon's company.
We'll take a look at 3 such wrestlers in the following list, also focus on 3 current stars who have never worked for WWE as professional wrestlers.
#6 Orange Cassidy (never wrestled in WWE)
Orange Cassidy is one of the most popular stars in all of pro wrestling today. Cassidy worked mostly for CHIKARA, when he made his pro-wrestling debut way back in 2006. In addition to CHIKARA, Cassidy has worked for several independent promotions in the USA.
His wrestling character is that of a lazy guy who usually likes to take it slow in the ring. There are occasions when he gets pumped up to produce an incredible moment in the ring, and this is what makes his gimmick stand out from the rest.
Back in 2019, when Cassidy was gaining steam courtesy his matches that were put on Youtube and other social media handles, he was picked up by All Elite Wrestling. He has been a mainstay in AEW ever since and is doing quite well for himself.
He recently had a feud with WWE legend Chris Jericho, and defeated him in a Mimosa Mayhem match at AEW All Out. Cassidy has never worked for WWE, and it seems highly unlikely that AEW will let someone like him leave anytime soon.
#5 The Fiend (only wrestled in WWE)
Bray Wyatt is the son of former WWE Superstar Mike Rotunda, and is a 3rd-generation wrestler. Wyatt honed his craft in FCW for a while before making his way to the main roster as a part of The Nexus. His stint as Husky Harris was a flop, and he was soon sent back to revive his career.
After spending another term in FCW and NXT, he came up to the main roster again, now as the leader of The Wyatt Family. Wyatt targeted Kane and defeated him at SummerSlam 2013.
He went on to win the WWE title and later lost it to Randy Orton at WrestleMania 33. Wyatt was repackaged as The Fiend in 2019, and has been a main event star ever since. He defeated Seth Rollins last year to win the Universal title, and lost it to WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg in early 2020.
Wyatt is currently a regular on WWE SmackDown and is one of the biggest Superstars in the company today. There's a very slim chance that he will ever go elsewhere. Wyatt has been with WWE throughout his career, thus joining a rare group of Superstars who have stuck with Vince McMahon's company.
#4 Tama Tonga (never wrestled in WWE)
Tama Tonga is the nephew of pro-wrestling legend and former WWE Superstar Haku. He is currently working for NJPW, where he has spent the better part of his career so far. Tonga is known is one of the founding members of the famed Bullet Club faction.
Fans might remember that several NJPW wrestlers made their way to WWE in 2016, most notably AJ Styles. Interestingly, Tonga had "verbally agreed" to sign with WWE as well. He had a meeting with WWE EVP Triple H and agreed in principle to join WWE:
"I came in, told [NJPW] it would be my last tour and they were stunned. I was stunned I hadn't got a contract after six years. They tried to negotiate and I was like, 'No negotiation, I already gave [a verbal agreement].' That night, me, Karl, Gallows, and Fale went drinking to celebrate. Next day, we go to work, Fale had a meeting with the higher-ups and they asked, 'What can we do?' He said, 'I think if you bring in his brother [Tanga Loa], he'll stay.' That's how it happened."
Tama Tonga ended up not going to WWE. He seems to be content with his standing in NJPW, and is one of the most popular acts in the promotion. In NJPW, Tonga has won the IWGP Tag Team titles on 6 occasions with his brother, Tanga Loa.
#3 Charlotte Flair (only wrestled in WWE)
Fans who watched WCW back in the day might remember seeing a young Charlotte Flair on WCW TV at the time, usually accompanying her father, the legendary Ric Flair. Charlotte signed with WWE in 2012 and soon made her debut in NXT. She had her fair share of classics in NXT, against the likes of Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Bayley.
Flair was moved to RAW in 2015, and thus kicked off a legendary in-ring career. She has won a grand total of 12 Women's titles in WWE so far, and will probably someday surpass her father's record of 16 World title reigns. Charlotte has been a part of a string of historic matches, including the first-ever Women's Hell In A Cell match, and the first-ever Women's main event in WrestleMania history.
It's almost a guarantee that WWE won't let her go anywhere else in the future, and she will possibly go down as one of the greatest to never work outside WWE.
#2 MJF (never wrestled in WWE)
Fans might remember MJF from THAT video in which Samoa Joe was seen shoving the young wrestler. MJF came very close to becoming a WWE Superstar, back when he auditioned for the WWE Tough Enough competition in 2015. WWE's official Youtube channel has MJF's entry as well, which you can check HERE.
A short while ago, MJF revealed why he didn't go to WWE when his MLW contract was about to end. He stated that several parties contacted him when his contract was on the verge of ending, but MJF chose to go to AEW:
"Deep down, I wanted to be part of something new and something fresh and something where I’d be able to control everything going on with me, because I knew if I went to the other place, and this isn’t me shi--ing on the other place, it’s just a fact, they would try to change me, and there is nothing to change."
Looking at his current standing in AEW, it is safe to say that MJF made the right decision by choosing AEW. He is being pushed as one of the biggest stars in the company right now.
After a heated feud with his former mentor Cody, MJF recently feuded with AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. Although he failed to win the title, the day isn't far when MJF will hold the belt and lead AEW into the future.
#1 Roman Reigns (only wrestled in WWE)
Roman Reigns is possibly the biggest homegrown star in WWE, after John Cena. The Big Dog made his way to WWE in 2010, and worked in FCW for a while. Reigns soon formed The Shield with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, and the trio moved to the main roster by interfering in the main event of Survivor Series 2012. The Shield broke up two years later, and WWE pushed Reigns to be the company's next top star.
He headlined four straight WrestleMania events against the very best WWE had to offer. Reigns became a polarizing figure due to WWE forcing him upon the audience, much like John Cena. It all changed recently, when Reigns was turned heel and he aligned with Paul Heyman on WWE SmackDown.
Reigns' character makeover is one of the most interesting things WWE fans have witnessed in 2020. He is someone who has a large fan following, especially among kids. That's why we're almost sure that we'll never see Reigns wrestle outside WWE.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
