5 High profile signings that did not last long in WWE

When it comes to the pro wrestling industry, WWE finds itself at the top of the food chain. While the company has seen many of its developmental talent come through the ranks, Vince McMahon and co. are known to pounce on exceptional talent from the independent scene as well.

WWE and big signings

As such, WWE has made several high profile signings from across the globe during its storied history. While some names – such as the recently crowned Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles – have worked wonders, not every big signing by WWE has had an illustrious run in the company.

Some have underperformed while some have downright failed to hit the mark at all, thereby resulting in short tenures with WWE. We will thus look at five high profile signings that did not last long in WWE.

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#5 Ultimo Dragon

Ultimo Dragon didn't have the desired impact in WWE

Ultimo Dragon had already won multiple Championships in Mexico and Japan when he signed for WWE back in 2003. Rey Mysterio had just hit the ground running and it was expected that Ultimo would have the same kind of impact.

When all's said and done, only a few Luchadors can match the achievements of Ultimo Dragon's career. However, he simply didn't have the greatest of runs in WWE with his tenure lasting less than a year before he headed back to Japan.

Ultimo Dragon made his WWE TV debut with SmackDown at Madison Square Garden in June 2003 and even had a run at the United States Championship, albeit unsuccessfully. However, his WWE run will be particularly remembered for the goof-up during his WrestleMania XX entrance.

Ultimo Dragon would trip twice, once while entering the arena from the backstage area and once while climbing the turnbuckle. A little over a month later he would be released by WWE due following his request.

#4 Colt Cabana

Colt Cabana used the name Scotty Goldman in WWE

One of AEW's latest recruits Colt Cabana has managed to become a key figure in most wrestling promotions that he has been a part of, besides WWE. Cabana was tearing it up in ROH, especially with his then close friend CM Punk before he made the jump in 2007.

Cabana had to work his way through OVW, where he had a rather decent run, winning multiple Championships in the process. He had to bide almost a year before making his main roster debut through SmackDown in August 2008 under the name of Scotty Goldman where he lost to Brian Kendrick.

He had a rather uninspiring few weeks on the product before going on a five-month hiatus soon after. Upon his return in February 2009, he was catapulted into a Battle Royal for Elimination Chamber qualification but would be the first to be eliminated. Two weeks later, we would be released by WWE to bring his misery in the company to a rather unceremonious end.

#3 Sting

Sting took on Triple H at WrestleMania 31

Sting was one of the biggest faces of WCW during the Monday Night Wars but also one of the few top draws who didn't jump ship to WWE after the company emerged victorious. It took more than a decade since that episode for Vince and co. to finally tie him down to a WWE contract.

Sting would shock the WWE Universe when he debuted and aided Team Cena at Survivor Series in 2014 by attacking Triple H to cost The Authority the match. This would eventually lead to a showdown between The Game and Sting at WrestleMania 31 which was surprisingly won by the former.

Sting would later return in August that year to attack Seth Rollins during his bronze statue reveal on RAW to target Seth Rollins and finally challenge him for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions.

Unfortunately for Sting, this would be the last match of his career. He suffered a serious neck injury after receiving a bucklebomb from The Architect, a move that WWE has now banned. Sting was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016 and announced his retirement during his speech.

#2 Cain Velasquez

Cain Velasquez only had one feud during his WWE career

WWE pulled out all the stops for the FOX debut of Friday Night SmackDown on October 4, 2019. The show was also the 20th-anniversary edition of the Blue brand and was set to be headlined by the match for the WWE Championship between Brock Lesnar and Kofi Kingston.

While Lesnar beating the fan-favorite Kofi in a mere eight seconds left a bad taste in the mouth of fans, it was immediately followed by the debut of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez who had legitimate history with Lesnar inside the Octagon. Velasquez would overpower The Beast to end the night and with that, the former's positive influence on the product would come to an end.

Cardio Cain would have a sorry showing against Lesnar at Crown Jewel with the latter squashing Velasquez and then decimating him with a steel chair.

That was the last time we saw Velasquez inside a WWE ring as injuries would prevent him from appearing again. Eventually, back in April this year, he was released by WWE because of the budget cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic.

#1 Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski's only notable achievement in WWE

One of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Rob Gronkowski loves throwing a surprise or two. He first shocked the world by announcing his retirement from football shortly after winning Super Bowl LIII at just the age of 29. And then earlier this year, he signed with WWE and hosted WrestleMania 36.

Gronk had already made an appearance in WWE prior to this year back in 2017 at WrestleMania 33 where he helped his friend Mojo Rawley win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. At this year's 'Mania though, he betrayed that very friend to claim the 24/7 Championship.

However, there was another twist to this tale as Gronkowski announced his return to football. Gronk is set to reunite with Tom Brady after Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired him from New England Patriots via trade in April. He eventually dropped the 24/7 title to R-Truth on the 1st June episode of RAW and it was later announced that Gronk was leaving WWE with his tenure lasting less than three months.