'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When the earliest version of WWE promoted its first show in 1959, few could anticipate the scale of the company's domination of the 21st-century professional wrestling market. Since the demise of WCW, the Vince McMahon-led promotion has dominated professional wrestling viewership all over the world.
The promotion's long history means a large number of performers wrestled inside the company's ring before either leaving or getting released. Royal Rumble is an event that has historically brought past talents back. The 2022 edition of the event was no different.
The women's Royal Rumble saw several past talents return, including legendary superstars such as Lita, title winners such as Nikki Bella and Michelle McCool, and past superstars like Summer Rae. IMPACT Wrestling received a memorable shoutout as Knockouts Champion Mickie James also appeared in the Rumble.
However, not every alumni can return. In some cases, the bridge has been irreparably burned or the talent may just have no interest in returning to the company.
#5 in our list of former superstars who may never return to WWE - The Velveteen Dream
When the unremarkable Patrick Clark was eliminated from Tough Enough due to a perceived scarcity of humbleness, he unveiled a different character inspired by the musician Prince. This character combined with Clark's presentation, charisma and incredible in-ring skills made him one of NXT's biggest stars.
Fans expected the young star to become a mainstay of the main roster, but Clark got himself embroiled in controversies and alienated himself from the locker room, leading to his release. While The Velveteen Dream has a huge upside as a character, the company will surely not bring back a person as controversial as Clark.
#4 Former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee
The infamous Divas era of WWE saw them present the female superstars more as supermodels than wrestlers. Amongst a division full of unremarkable characters, AJ Lee glittered brightly as a stunning in-ring performer and a presentable maniac character.
The differences between CM Punk and the company as well as injury led to AJ Lee taking a sabbatical from the professional wrestling industry. While Punk has since returned to AEW, Lee hasn't wrestled, but has recently returned to the industry as the Executive Producer of WOW – Women Of Wrestling. A WWE return, nevertheless, is probably out of the question.
#3 Former Cruiserweight Champion Neville
Despite booking issues, Neville, originally Adrian Neville, enjoyed a surprisingly successful career in WWE. He won the NXT Championship, was briefly pushed on the main roster and almost dethroned a heel Seth Rollins to win the WWE Championship. The star almost single-handedly carried the Cruiserweight division.
Neville refused to lose to Enzo Amore and instead walked out of an episode of RAW. The company decided to freeze his contract and he finally found his release in August 2018. Pac has since wrestled with Dragon Gate and AEW, and he may not want to return to a company that blocked him from getting a release.
#2 Former WWE Superstar Nailz
In the world of '90s WWE, where occupational gimmicks were prominent, Nailz was introduced as the victim of The Big Boss Man. Nailz's career in the company proved to be short after the man behind the gimmick allegedly choked Vince McMahon over a monetary conflict, an incident that has been confirmed by the likes of Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
Don't expect Nailz to return to the company at a reunion themed show anytime soon. His violent attack on McMahon practically sealed the deal, but he even testified against the latter in court during the highly publicized steroid scandal, claiming that McMahon asked him to use steroids.
#1 Former WWE Hardcore Champion Chris Nowinski
Chris Nowinski's career as a professional wrestler may have been unmemorable, but he has more than made up for it with his next career path as an author and neuroscientist. Nowinski has attacked the very core of the company's working structure and has vaulted CTE into a subject of international discussion.
While he has not criticized WWE on every occasion, his research and comments hardly run parallel to the company's public presentation of its treatment of performers. Thus, a return of Nowinski to the company will probably never take place, with neither side interested in making it possible.
