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There have been plenty of WWE Superstars over the years. A lot of guys have had fantastic decade-long careers and made millions doing so. They entertained the fans and created a great product for us to enjoy.
However, there were some other wrestlers that started out on the right path but quit too early. Whether it was disagreements about their place in the company or the fights they would be involved in, there have been some truly spectacular WWE exits.
While these can often be exciting at the time, I often think about the wasted potential and lost entertainment that we have missed out on. In this article, I’ll take a look at 4 excellent WWE fighters who should’ve stayed longer. Without further ado, let’s get stuck into it.
#1 John Layfield
Despite being one of the most prominent wrestlers at the time, John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield had one of the most unceremonious exits in WWE history. He decided to attack Chris Jericho during a title match against Randy Orton after claims that Jericho had pushed him. Things got very heated between the two men as they essentially had an all-in brawl while the fight was taking place.
That wasn’t enough for the charismatic Layfield, who returned to the ring and actually gained the title of Intercontinental Champion in 2009. In a huge money move at the time, he opted to defend this title at WrestleMania 25 against Rey Mysterio.
Things literally couldn’t have gone worse for Layfield, who lost the fight in just 21 seconds in front of his home fans. With over 70,000 fans in attendance, he uttered the words ‘I quit’, and hasn’t fought in the WWE since. Things have admittedly been patched up in the aftermath, with JBL featuring as both a commentator and backstage operator.
#2 Goldberg
Now in his early 50s, Goldberg had a professional wrestling career that anyone would be proud of. He started out as an absolute star in the WCW, destroying the competition en route to the WCW World Championship.
While he didn’t immediately join the WWE, he did sign a contract in 2003 and became an instant hit after he destroyed Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. After such an incredible entrance, you could make the case that this was Goldberg’s peak in the WWE.
He just couldn’t live up to the hype after this one, culminating in a disappointing fight against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 20. I still think Goldberg had plenty left in the tank at that point and it was disappointing to see him not reach his potential.
One could argue that some of Goldberg's highlights rival anyone in WWE history. He did manage a brief return in 2016, but it definitely wasn’t the same.
#3 CM Punk
There’s no denying that CM Punk had a phenomenal WWE career. He was fast, powerful, athletic, and charismatic out of the ring. His list of accomplishments in the ring is very impressive, highlighted by 434 days as WWE Champion.
He didn’t end on the best of terms with the WWE either, quitting just before the 2014 Royal Rumble. Punk had claimed this was definitely the WWE’s fault as he had been wrestling both sick and injured for months due to their advice. He was brutally given his termination papers on his wedding day and vowed never to return.
One of my favorite wrestlers of all-time, CM Punk’s departure to the UFC still has me upset to this day. While I hold out hope for his glorious return, it seems less and less likely with each passing day. Having gone a disappointing 0-2 in the UFC, I think he’s wasting his talent and left way too early.
#4 Steve Austin
One of the biggest wrestling superstars of all time, Stone Cold Steve Austin still could’ve had an even better career. He was very important as a foundational figure and is a large part of the reason why the WWF defeated WCW in the Monday Night War.
However, after this period, Austin just didn’t have the same standing in the community and wasn’t a regular in main events. For a man of Austin’s reputation, he was naturally annoyed by this and was very vocal in his negative comments to the media.
Austin managed to soldier on but couldn’t take it anymore when the WWE wanted him to lose to a young Brock Lesnar on Raw.
However, Stone Cold Steve Austin opted to leave the company due to a history of neck injuries. which was a huge blow for WWE at the time. He still does make occasional appearances now, however, this event robbed us of what could’ve been some exciting dream matches.
