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WWE contracts and the secret rules and regulations behind them have always been an interesting topic of conversation among the fans. It is a common assumption that every Superstar who works for WWE has signed a contract with them. While, of course, those contracts could vary from person to person depending on the agreement between the two parties.
But do you know there have been multiple WWE Superstars who worked in WWE without a contract? As hard as it is to believe, this is true and today we'll be taking a look at five such WWE Superstars.
Let's find out the circumstances under which the above cases happened. Be sure to let us know your reactions on the same in the comments section below.
#5 Rey Mysterio
Starting with the latest entry into the list. Earlier this year in 2020, it was reported that WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio was working for the company without a contract. He was in the middle of a feud with Seth Rollins at that time, but his previous contract had expired and he was yet to come into an agreement on a new contract with WWE.
Rey Mysterio reportedly asked Vince McMahon for a raise, but with the entire COVID-19 pandemic in place, WWE was cutting their costs as much as possible and hence McMahon denied his request. Even despite all of this, Rey Mysterio continued working for WWE, feuding with the Monday Night Messiah. As of now, Rey Mysterio has reportedly signed a new 3-year contract with WWE.
Rey Mysterio in WWE
Rey Mysterio is considered by many to be one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. Initially signing with WWE in 2002, the Master of the 619 changed the landscape of WWE which was mostly dominated by big men. Fans started loving his high-flying wrestling style and got behind the underdog.
Rey Mysterio is a three-time world champion in WWE and has won several other titles as well, including a Royal Rumble victory in 2006. Recently, his son Dominik Mysterio made his debut for WWE at SummerSlam 2020.
#4 Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano is one of the top Superstars in NXT history. Interestingly, during his initial appearances for WWE in 2015 on NXT and the Dusty Road Tag Team Classic tournament, he did not officially sign with WWE. It was announced in April 2016 that he officially signed with WWE.
While his initial contract with WWE was a "Tier 2" contract where he was allowed to work on the independent circuit alongside his NXT dates, WWE soon signed him to an exclusive full-time contract in July of that year.
Johnny Gargano in WWE NXT
Johnny Gargano initially competed in NXT as a tag-team with Tommaso Ciampa as DIY. The two gained a lot of popularity and fan-support and continuously delivered amazing feuds and matches. They won the NXT Tag Team Championships in November 2016. After Ciampa turned on Gargano, the two started one of the best feuds on NXT, leading to some insane matches.
Johnny Gargano is one of the most accomplished Superstars on NXT. He became the first NXT Triple Crown Champion, winning all the top titles on the brand. He still continues to compete for the brand but it might not be long before WWE moves him to the main roster.
#3 Tommaso Ciampa
Along with his tag-team partner, Tommaso Ciampa also followed a similar path during his initial days with WWE. He initially came to NXT on a "handshake agreement" and later signed with WWE in April 2016 for a "Tier 2" contract, working independent dates as well. During an interview in 2015, Ciampa spoke about wanting to be part of NXT in the long term.
"The thing Johnny and I have on our side is that we both have over 10 years of experience, but neither one of us is in a rush to show our hand the first time out"
In September 2016, he wrestled his final independent wrestling match before signing exclusively with WWE NXT and has since become one of the greatest Superstars the brand has witnessed.
Tommaso Ciampa in WWE NXT
Tommaso Ciampa is well-known to be part of the tag-team "DIY" with Johnny Gargano. The two went on to have a great run together, even becoming the NXT Tag Team Champions, before Ciampa turned on Gargano, thus starting their epic rivalry.
In his over four-year-long WWE NXT career, Tommaso Ciampa has been one of the prominent stars of the brand, having held the NXT Championship for over 200 days.
#2 Matt Cardona
Former WWE Superstar Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) recently sat down for an interview with Nick Hausman of WrestlingInc. During the interview, he made a massive revelation that he wasn't under a contract with WWE during his final year with the company.
"Not really to be honest. When we found out the cuts will be coming that day, like I said, I’m always ready. It’s not just a cute hashtag. I already set up my Pro Wrestling Tees store. I’m like, I’m ready. Let’s go. Let’s go baby. It sounds crazy to say, but I wasn’t calling anyone begging for it, but inside I was begging for it please. Please let this happen because for over a year, I hadn’t signed a new contract."
Matt Cardona fka Zack Ryder in WWE
Matt Cardona's first appearance for WWE took place in 2005 on SmackDown. He signed with WWE in 2006 and started wrestling in DSW and OVW. He was drafted to SmackDown in 2007 and formed an alliance with the Rated-R Superstar Edge.
During his almost 15-year long stay in WWE, Zack Ryder won the United States, Intercontinental, and the RAW Tag Team Championships. He even proclaimes himself WWE's "Internet Champion" in 2011, thus getting huge fan support. He was released by WWE in April 2020 and soon joined All Elite Wrestling.
#1 Drake Maverick
Another Superstar who was released by WWE in April 2020 as part of their COVID-19 budget cuts was Drake Maverick (fka Rockstar Spud in TNA/IMPACT Wrestling). Immediately after his release was announced by WWE, Maverick posted a highly emotional video on his social media reacting to his release.
Interestingly, he was already announced as part of the tournament to crown the Interim NXT Cruiserweight champion. WWE wanted him to work the tournament before leaving and he did that without a proper WWE contract. Soon, the massive fan support to Maverick made WWE turn it into a storyline. Maverick reached the finals of the tournament but lost to El Hijo Del Fantasma. As he was walking out after the match, Triple H offered him an NXT contract which he signed immediately.
Drake Maverick in WWE
Drake Maverick signed with WWE in 2017 and became the General Manager of 205 Live, WWE's cruiserweight brand. He later became the manager of RAW's tag team Authors of Pain. Soon after, WWE started using him as a prominent act for the 24/7 Championship, a title which he won six times in some hilarious segments.
One of Samoa Joe's colleagues had harsh words for him HERE
