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Over the past few decades, there have been many stars released from WWE for one reason or another, and while many have returned following their releases, there are several former talents who don't want to return.
Never say never in the wrestling world, since many stars including Bret Hart and Goldberg have put the past behind them and returned to the company despite initially having no interest, but there are still many former stars who hold a grudge.
While some of these stars are the ones making all the headlines, there are still many others who are open to making their return to WWE and to be part of the company once again if asked.
#5 Would Return to WWE: Melina
Former Women's Champion Melina has been one of the stars missing from the Women's Revolution over the past few years, despite being a main name that contributed to the change. While Melina was spotted during a backstage segment where she helped Candice Michelle to become 24/7 Champion, Melina hasn't been seen on WWE TV since.
Melina was fired from the company almost a decade ago and has since wrestled all over the world on the independent circuit, but the former Superstar recently revealed to Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture that she would be open to a WWE return if the opportunity arose.
“I always say everything will happen if it’s meant to happen. If an opportunity shows up, of course, like who wouldn’t? But if there’s never an opportunity I am okay with that too, I am thankful for what I’ve been able to do, because I didn’t even think I would be able to do that. I never in my wildest dreams, ever thought that I would be on TV or that I would have a video game or an action figure, or be in magazines in England, Australia, Mexico and different parts of other countries… I never thought I could do that, that that would be me. So all this, I am happy, I am very grateful.”
#4 Wouldn't Return to WWE: Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho hasn't wrestled for WWE since The Greatest Royal Rumble back in 2018 when the company held the event in Saudi Arabia. Over the past two years, Jericho has been one of the driving forces behind All Elite Wrestling and is a former AEW World Champion.
Jericho has returned to WWE many times in the past and been able to reinvent himself each time, but Y2J himself admitted a few weeks ago on YouTube Live that he wouldn't be making his return to WWE again since he's currently very happy in AEW.
"I loved my time with WWE, I love Vince McMahon, I learned a lot, I had a lot of fun, but listen, you can't stay in the same place forever. You become stagnant if you do and I think you need to push yourself to do something new. The fact that AEW was live without a net when I first showed up and all of us have done such a great job of promoting this brand and company."
#3 Would Return to WWE: Alberto Del Rio
Former World Champion Alberto Del Rio hasn't worked for WWE since he was able to negotiate his release from the company in 2016. Del Rio was fired back in 2014 following a backstage altercation with an employee but went on to return to WWE in October 2015.
After the Mexican star was suspended for violating WWE's Wellness Policy, Del Rio was able to negotiate his release from the company yet again, but now it appears that the former star is open to making a return.
Del Rio told Nos Cayó La Noche in Mexico that he has communicated with WWE regarding a return to the company earlier this year.
“We have been in communication. We have rebuilt the bridge. On their part, they were wrong on some decisions and I also did some things wrong on my part. I am hoping that we can reach an agreement sometime this year or by the middle of this year I’ll be back there.”
In recent years Del Rio has appeared in IMPACT Wrestling and for a number of independent promotions.
#2 Wouldn't Return to WWE: Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley
Dean Ambrose was one of WWE's biggest stars when he allowed his contract to expire back in 2019 and then shockingly showed up at AEW Double or Nothing a few weeks later. Ambrose has since spoken out about his time in WWE, when he knew that he wanted to walk away, and that he would rather "work in McDonald's" than ever return to WWE in an interview with The Wrestling Observer.
Ambrose is currently known as Jon Moxley in AEW where he's the reigning AEW World Champion. Said Moxley of his time in WWE:
“If I couldn’t wrestle right now, I think I’d maybe have a shot to be like a producer, a coach, or a trainer, something like that. Be involved in some way which I would never say, I would never be a producer in WWE. I would rather work in McDonald’s than be a producer in WWE. You talk about a thankless job… Or be on the creative team at WWE, I would rather like, tar driveways in the summer heat than be a creative member of the creative team in WWE."
#1 Would Return to WWE: Eva Marie
It's been more than four years since Eva Marie was last seen in a WWE ring since the former Total Divas star opted to walk away from the company to pursue an acting career.
Eva Marie wasn't a popular star at the time and was coming through the ranks in the company in a period when the women's wrestlers were still pushing for their revolution. The "All-Red Everything" star came to the company with no background in the wrestling business and was then forced to learn the ropes on the fly and under a lot of pressure.
Eva Marie was also part of Total Divas at the same time and seemed to clash with many other women on the show. That being said, Marie stated on Twitter that she was close to Bayley while working in WWE and would be open to making a return to face her.
Granted Eva Marie tweeted that sentiment a while ago, there is a match next week on SmackDown that will see the winner take on Bayley at SummerSlam. Could this lead to Eva Marie's shocking return?
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