The WWE is the place to be in the world of professional wrestling. Or at least, that was the case until a few years ago when the independent wrestling scene comprising of small – but popular – promotions such as Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, and others started offering a viable alternative to those outside Vince McMahon’s sacred walls.Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, and others started offering a viable alternative to those outside Vince McMahon’s sacred walls.
The likes of The Young Bucks, Adam Cole, Kenny Omega, et al. have shown that it is no longer necessary for wrestlers to aim for the WWE in order to make a legitimate career and living. There are plenty of options available on the indy scene if you’re good enough. Cody Rhodes is a great example that there is life after leaving the WWE as well.
Unfortunately, not everyone is actually good enough. There are some Superstars who just aren’t cut out for the smaller promotions filled with more hardcore fans. There are plenty of people who have faded away into obscurity following their exit from the WWE.
So, without any further ado, here are 5 former WWE Superstars who are failing on the independent scene:
#5 Justin Gabriel/ PJ Black
Justin Gabriel made an instant impact in the WWE when he debuted as a part of the fearsome Nexus stable. Armed with a slick move set and high-flying style, he was instantly over with the fans. All that came to a crashing halt when the group was buried by John Cena.
Just like most others from the faction, Gabriel never recovered and was released from the company in 2015 as his popularity fizzled out. Unceremoniously booted out, Gabriel decided to try his hand on the indy scene under the terrible name The Darewolf PJ Black.
Things have not gone to plan in the two years since his release as he endured unsuccessful runs in EVOLVE, Global Force Wrestling, TNA, before finally ending up Lucha Underground. The South African needs to get his house in order.
#4 Evan Bourne/ Matt Sydal
Evan Bourne never really got flying in the WWE, but the diminutive Superstar was always over the crowd due to his acrobatic style of wrestling. His Air Bourne was something to be marvelled at and who can forget that RKO he took from Randy Orton.
Unfortunately, that RKO ended up being the highlight of his time with the company as he was released due to injury problems. Upon recovery, he decided to hit the indy scene yet again, wrestling at promotions such as EVOLVE, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerilla under the name Matt Sydal and did quite well for himself. Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerilla under the name Matt Sydal and did quite well for himself.
Unfortunately, it came to a crashing end. He was booted out of NJPW in 2016 as he was arrested coming into Japan with large amounts of liquid marijuana. Having spent some time in jail, he was finally given a suspended three-year prison sentence and was forced to return to the United States.
#3 Adam Rose/ Kruger
Adam Rose’s story became famous after it was featured on ESPN, and the WWE had a real opportunity to capitalise on the sympathy it generated and get him over the hump. Unfortunately, they decided to stick him with the Social Outcasts.
A death sentence, it soon saw Rose’s stock plummet to rock bottom, and within no time, he was left out in the cold. He then decided to take a stab at the independent scene under a new moniker and gimmick – Kruger – based on the character he played before donning the mantle of Adam Rose in NXT.
Unfortunately, Kruger’s career has gone nowhere since his exit from the WWE as he failed to make an impact in any of the indy promotions where he was given a chance and should be heading into retirement any day now.
Also read: 5 WWE Superstars released in 2016 and where are they now?
#2 Alberto Del Rio/ Alberto El Patron
Alberto Del Rio’s problems with the WWE have been well documented, and it’s little surprise that he ended up leaving the company shortly after rejoining them after a spell on the indy scenes. His first stint was with the likes of Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground where he made quite the name for himself.
Unfortunately, by the time he left the WWE for the second time, his reputation had fallen sharply. Since then, El Patron has only worked on small shows and signed a contract with Impact Wrestling. The problem with El Patron is not his talent. He has an abundance of it. It’s his attitude and tendency to go on drunken rants. It will be his downfall sooner rather than later.
#1 Ryback
Oh, where do you start with Ryback? The man who loves to moan and whine about the WWE has done nothing with his career since his acrimonious split from the company. He hasn’t wrestled in any of the premier indy promotions and seems content to seethe against the WWE in his podcasts instead.
He is turning into the next Scott Steiner, and I doubt we will ever see Ryback hit the heights he once achieved in the WWE.
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