5 Superstars who appeared for rival promotions while still under contract with WWE

#3. Former WWE Champion AJ Styles - NWA Wildside 2017

NWA Wildside was one of the promotions where current WWE star AJ Styles kicked off his wrestling career. During his time there, he first adopted the ring name that's now known around the world.

The company officially closed down back in 2005, but Styles had some fond memories of his time in the company. When he found out that NWA Wildside was holding a reunion in 2017, "The Phenomenal One" wanted to be part of it.

Styles was contracted to WWE at the time. He made his official debut as part of the 2016 WWE Royal Rumble. He was even the WWE United States Champion at the time. WWE allowed Styles to attend the NWA Wildside event, where he didn't actually wrestle. Instead, he appeared with his WWE United States Championship.

Styles, now a former WWE Champion, cut a promo at the show. He thanked fans for supporting him over the years. Styles then signed autographs and posed with the WWE United States Championship for the fans in attendance.