Competing in the WWE is the ultimate goal for a lot of professional wrestlers. After all, it is the biggest wrestling promotion in the world and in turn, it is the place that offers wrestlers the chance to create a major name for themselves and make some major bucks while they’re at it.
But, on a lot of occasions, getting to the WWE is only half the work. After you gain entry into Vince McMahon’s mad house, it takes a lot of effort and skill to stay there and become successful and not everyone is able to pull this off which means they get booted out the door.
But, recently we have seen the company take a shot with talent who were initially kicked out of the company. A few years on the independent circuit, improving one’s skill and work rate could mean a possible return to the big leagues.
There have been quite a few superstars who have managed to do this and today, we’re here to see who makes the list. So, without any further ado, here is our list of 5 superstars who were initially rejected by the WWE:
#5 Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal may have just shocked the world to win his first WWE Championship from Randy Orton at Backlash but this was far from his first run with the WWE. He was originally part of the company from 2010 to 2014.
He originally worked in WWE’s developmental territory before getting called up to the main roster. Unfortunately, a lacklustre run saw him get relegated back to NXT where he began rebuilding his image and eventually earned his second promotion to the main roster. An ill-fated run as part of The Three Man Band (3MB) was the beginning of the end for The Maharaja, though.
He then spent a couple of years on the indy scene honing his skills – and more importantly, body – before the WWE came calling again in 2016. Despite spending the first few months of his return as a jobber, Jinder has well and truly ascended to the top of the mountain following his recent push.
#4 Luke Gallows
Luke Gallows originally spent five years as a part of the WWE between 2005 and 2010. After a brief stint in developmental, he was called up to the main roster in 2006 playing the role of the half-wit, Festus. Despite this terrible gimmick, he persisted.
He was then rewarded with a run as part of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society. Despite its popularity, the Society was disbanded and Gallows soon found himself released from the company. He then went on an indy adventure that proved to be just what we needed.
After three average years at TNA, Gallows went East to join up with New Japan Pro Wrestling where he became a tag team specialist with Karl Anderson as part of Bullet Club. The grand success he experienced there led to the WWE to offer him another chance.
Both Gallows and Anderson were signed last year and have been a part of Raw’s tag team division since.
#3 Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan has the distinction of being released twice by the WWE. He originally worked in the company’s developmental territory and as a jobber between 2000 and 2003 before his first release. He then became a megastar on the indy scene, mainly for his stellar work in Ring of Honor.
Upon being resigned by the WWE, Bryan made quite an impact as part of The Nexus before he was fired for choking Justin Roberts with the latter’s tie during an episode of Raw – something that WWE sponsors apparently found disturbing.
Luckily, he was re-signed for the second time a few months later and proceeded to enjoy an immense level of popularity and success.
#2 Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle’s story is actually pretty hilarious. Coming from an actual amateur wrestling background, there was great interest in the Olympic Gold Medalist from the WWE in 1997. While the interest was mutual, Angle said something during his meeting with Vince McMahon that caused the chairman to outright reject him.
He demanded that he never lose a match since nobody would believe that an Olympic Gold Medalist would lose in professional wrestling. Needless to say, he didn’t get an offer from the company.
Luckily for Angle, he was given a second chance a few months later and the rest, as they say, is history.
#1 AJ Styles
AJ Styles was a jobber for the WWE back in 2002 but never even made it into the company’s developmental system. He then went on to have a phenomenal career all over the world including in TNA, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and more before the WWE finally came calling in 2016.
AJ signed with the WWE last year and has gone on to become one of the best in the world during his time in the company.
He looks set to be the top guy in the WWE until he finally decides to hang up his wrestling boots once and for all.
