When wrestlers leave a wrestling promotion, questions often arise: Why did they leave? Was there something wrong? Who is to blame for their departure? While speculation can often run rampant, when a wrestler leaves a wrestling promotion there could be any number of different reasons why. Of course, these questions don't pop up if there is a known injury causing a fan favourite to call it a career.
Men and women that have been in WWE will see their careers reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They will spill blood, break bones and tear ligaments all for the love of what they do.
However, when the door closes on their time in WWE, what exactly happens next? For a number of former WWE superstars, sadly things aren't always positive. In other cases, their post-WWE lives are positive as they flourish in different promotions, countries and even completely different professions. Simply because their time in WWE has ended doesn't mean their life ends too. Here are five examples of former WWE superstars from the Attitude Era.
#5 Val Venis
“Hello, Ladies”. These two words were synonymous with a particular wrestler during his tenure with WWE. While he may have changed roles, and even used his real name at times, Val Venis is the character that fans of the Attitude Era will fondly remember. After leaving WWE in 2009, Sean Morley (his real name) competed in a number of different areas.
He worked in Japan as part of New Japan Pro Wrestling and even worked alongside Hulk Hogan during Hogan's tour of Australia called Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin. In 2010, Morley briefly appeared with TNA, however, he had to quit due to a scheduling conflict; he intended to compete for CMLL in Mexico at the same time, but couldn't meet both commitments.
Those following Morley today will know that he has become an advocate for medicinal marijuana. While being referred to as Kaptain Kannabis, Morley's fight to legalise marijuana is reflected as part of his business, Health for Life, which operates a dispensary in Arizona. Outside wrestling, Morley has made an effort to provide improved health and well-being to those in Arizona.
#4 Dean Malenko
He was called the man of 1000 holds and was among the most technically sound wrestlers in the world. While he was in WCW, Malenko was a cruiserweight champion, and in WWE he was part of the group of Radicalz that departed their previous employer and made an immediate impact.
However, since Malenko retired around 2001, very little has been written about him. Before he ended his career, he participated in the annual Brian Pillman Memorial Show, working alongside friend Perry Saturn and facing former ECW stalwarts Justin Credible and Raven.
A few years after walking away from wrestling, Malenko was used on screen as part of a group of WWE alumni during a segment on Raw. When Eddie Guerrero passed away, he appeared alongside Radicalz teammate Chris Benoit on the Raw and Smackdown episodes dedicated to Eddie. In fact, in the years since his retirement, Malenko has quietly appeared a number of times on either Raw, Smackdown, or pay per view events, usually backstage. This is because he has served as a road agent for WWE, working behind the scenes.
#3 Mideon
Throughout his career, Dennis Knight always did what it took to generate a reaction. During his days in WCW, he was known as Tex Slazenger and started in WWE as Phineas Godwinn. However, as Mideon and later Naked Mideon Knight, he first tapped into an eerie, and then an odd, persona.
It was Naked Mideon that seemed to garner the biggest reaction, as it was both fun and funny to see. After leaving WWE, Knight trained wrestlers as part of Steve Keirn's wrestling school. Knight then briefly appeared for TNA on one of the company's pay per views, however, his appearance went under the radar as he was competing under a mask.
In 2006, Knight retired from wrestling and went into a completely different field of practice: in his home state of Florida, he became a chef. Nobody could have anticipated that the man known for sporting several tattoos, competing as a pig farmer, and running around naked would become a chef after his career came to an end.
#2 Perry Saturn
During his time in ECW and WCW, Saturn was known for being a super stiff competitor and suplex machine. As part of the collection of talent that left WCW and formed the Radicalz, Saturn showcased his skills during his time in WWE. After leaving WWE in 2002, he competed in Europe alongside Sabu.
In fact, after leaving WWE he also competed for a young upstart promotion then known as NWA-TNA, with the likes of Christopher Daniels and the late Mike Awesome. He then left TNA and competed for a short time in Japan as part of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
However, after that Saturn seemingly vanished, as there was a seven-year absence from wrestling before he returned in 2011 to fight former ECW wrestler CW Anderson. Saturn has seen his share of life challenges; an addiction to meth (among other drugs) for two plus years made him almost unknown to those close to him.
Saturn is currently suffering from a brain injury that has forced him to seek neurological care. As it stands right now, fans can now contribute to a GoFundMe page to help Saturn earn enough money to pay for his ongoing medical expenses.
#1 Stacy Keibler
While she wasn’t used regularly as a wrestler, Stacy Keibler was incredibly popular during her time in both WCW and WWE. A while after her departure as a full-time WWE performer, she appeared in the 2011 edition of Tough Enough, teaching the participants how to perform in front of a large crowd.
Keibler’s career has continued to take off in both the modelling and acting industry. She appeared on such programs as Dancing with the Stars and appeared in magazines such as Maxim. Keibler was also romantically linked to actor George Clooney.
She is so coveted by Playboy that she has declined on more than one occasion to appear in their magazine. Keibler had a recurring role in an ABC program called What About Brian and was named as one of the 100 Sexiest Women in 2008. Her popularity and general appeal to fans have made her still beloved, even if her wrestling career is over.
send us news tips at [email protected]
