'%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)
WWE has released a number of superstars in recent years. Many of the company's former stars have found work with promotions like IMPACT Wrestling, AEW, and NJPW.
Plenty of former WWE stars, including former world champion Chris Jericho, have ruled out a return. But others seem like they're willing to come back to the company, even if they burned some bridges on their way out the door.
WWE was able to ignite the careers of many former Superstars. As a result, some of these competitors may still feel like they have links to the company, even after they leave.
The following list looks at five former WWE stars who have refused to rule out a return to the company in the future.
#5. Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella
Santino Marella came to WWE as a fan in Italy during the company's European Tour in 2007.There, he was randomly chosen for a match against Umaga. Marella was miraculously able to defeat Umaga with the help of Bobby Lashley to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Marella then became a comedy character in WWE. He even dressed up as his own sister, Santina at WrestleMania 25. This gimmick obviously ran its course. After several neck injuries, the former champion ended his WWE career seven years later when he announced his retirement.
Marella has since opened his own wrestling school, and he returned to be the first-ever male in the Women's Royal Rumble Match last year. Though he was obviously stuck as a comedy character, Marella has recently revealed that he is open to a WWE return. He doesn't want to come back as his character, but he's willing to take a role behind the commentary table.
“I do want to go back into the business but as a commentator. I would have to be Anthony Carelli because I don’t want to do commentary as Santino. I think there are going to be opportunities for me post-COVID with one of the major companies. I always want to go to WWE first because they changed my life and I’m loyal, but if they don’t have an opportunity, I’ll go somewhere else.”
Marella's daughter, Bianca has since followed in her father's footsteps, and she secured a WWE tryout in 2019.
#4. Former WWE 24/7 Champion Maria Kanellis
Maria Kanellis has already had two stints in WWE. Her run with the company began when she was part of the annual Diva Search.
Most recently, Kanellis returned to WWE in 2017 alongside her husband Mike Kanelli. They were originally set to become WWE's "It Couple", but plans changed and Mike and Maria were both released.
The two stars departed from the company in April 2020 as part of COVID-19 budget cuts. Though they asked for their release before the company decided to grant it, Maria has remained open about a potential return to WWE.
Whilst answering fans' questions on Twitter, Maria responded positively to a future return.
“Never say never , but my main objective in my future is consistency and stability for my children.”
The former WWE star is now a mother of two, but she has since returned to Ring of Honor where she worked from 2011 until 2015 following her original release from WWE. It's also worth noting that her husband, Mike has also remained open to a WWE return down the road.
#3. Former WWE Women's Champion Melina
Melina has been at the forefront of several rumors regarding a WWE return in recent months. While the former WWE Women's Champion was part of a backstage segment on RAW Legends Night, this has been her only WWE appearance in recent months.
Melina was expected to compete in the Royal Rumble Match this year. But instead, she was left out of the match. She reportedly suffered an injury that prevented her return.
Though Melina herself denied the rumors that she signed a new contract with WWE late last year, the former Champion didn't deny that she would be open to a return. She explained her mindset in a lengthy Facebook post.
"I AM NOT signed with the WWE. But that doesn’t mean it is not a possibility, I don’t know what my future will hold, but I know 2020 has taken so much from me. Going back home to the WWE would feel like everything I’ve gone through was for this very moment."
It remains to be seen whether Melina will reappear in WWE in the coming months.
#2. Former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee
AJ Lee smashed through a lot of glass ceilings in WWE throughout her time in the company. She was once the company's longest-reigning Divas Champion ahead of her retirement in 2015.
Lee has since created quite a successful career for herself outside of the ring. She has thrived as a writer, and she released her own memoirs. The book became a New York Times Best Seller.
Lee has since been focused on comic book writing. Though she suffered an injury to her back near the end of her career, she has left the door open for a return to WWE.
During a 2019 interview with the FS1 show, Fair Game, Lee shared her "never say never" view of the situation.
"I'd say never say never. Every time I've said never in my life, I wound up doing the thing. 'I'd never date a wrestler; I'd never date another wrestler.' Then it ended with me marrying one. I don't know what the future holds. So, not to hold your breath, but never say never."
Both Lee and her husband CM Punk have teased returns to the company in recent years. But both former stars have stayed away from a WWE ring since their respective departures.
#1. Former WWE Champion Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose opted not to re-sign with WWE when his contract expired in 2019. Since his departure, he has become a top star in AEW. Now known as Jon Moxley, Ambrose is already a former AEW World Champion. He recently announced that he is expecting his first child with his wife, former WWE broadcaster Renee Young.
The couple has left WWE, and the two fan-favorites are now preparing for the birth of their daughter. Ambrose has had a lot to say about WWE since he left the company. He famously delivered a controversial interview about his exit on the Talk Is Jericho Podcast.
Still, while it might seem like he'd prefer to stay away from WWE, Moxley has stated that he's still open to a potential return.
In an "Ask Me Anything" session for Bleacher Report in 2020, Moxley revealed that he "would listen" if WWE came calling.
“If they called I would listen, but I highly doubt we would ever be on the same page. I'd be open to an idea. I don't not like money. I got a kid on the way and gotta put it through college so ya know. I would take a phone call, but I highly doubt anything would materialize.”
The former WWE Champion is currently one of AEW's most popular stars, and he seems to be thriving in his new environment.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
