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WWE Superstars are on the road for the better part of the year and the most popular ones appear on a regular basis on WWE TV. That isn't the case with every superstar on the roster though.
WWE oftentimes provides a reason when it removes a superstar from TV. The reason could be anything from an injury to a personal issue. WWE sometimes removes a superstar from TV without an explanation and it leads to speculation among the WWE Universe with fans throwing in possible reasons in regards to the superstar's absence.
In the following slideshow, we will be taking a look at five WWE Superstars who were removed and kept off WWE TV without the company providing an official explanation.
#5 Miro f.k.a Rusev was kept off WWE TV for weeks on end until his release
Miro's feud with Bobby Lashley was quite possibly the lowest point of his WWE career. He was embarrassed on WWE TV for months on end. Lashley was made to look strong against him on most occasions despite the latter being the heel who stole Miro's wife Lana.
The inclusion of Liv Morgan in the storyline didn't do it any favors. It all led to a mixed tag team match between Miro & Liv and Lashley & Lana which the villains won as well. It all ended for Miro when he teamed up with Humberto Carrillo in a losing effort against Bobby Lashley and Angel Garza on the February 17, 2020 edition of WWE RAW.
Miro was taken off WWE TV quietly following the loss and was never used again. Miro was one of several WWE Superstars who were released by the company to tackle budget issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miro later made his way to All Elite Wrestling and was revealed as Kip Sabian's Best Man for his wedding to Penelope Ford. Miro is currently a mid-card act on AEW TV and his fans are hopeful that he will get a shot at the top title somewhere down the line.
#4 Jinder Mahal last competed at WWE Superstar Spectacle
Jinder Mahal etched his name in the annals of wrestling history when he defeated WWE veteran Randy Orton at Backlash 2017 to become the WWE Champion. What's interesting about the victory is the fact that Mahal became the 50th WWE Champion as well as the first wrestler of Indian descent to achieve the prestigious feat.
Mahal didn't do anything of note in the main event scene following his WWE title loss to AJ Styles later that year. He was later inserted into the WWE United States title picture and won the belt in a Fatal Four-Way match at WrestleMania 34.
The last time fans saw Mahal on any of the regular shows was way back in May 2020 when he defeated Akira Tozawa on Main Event. His last appearance before disappearing from WWE TV was at the WWE Superstar Spectacle on January 22, 2021. Mahal teamed up with The Singh Brothers in a losing effort against Drew McIntyre, Saurav and Rinku.
Jinder Mahal hasn't wrestled following that loss and there's no official news from WWE in regards to his absence.
#3 Aleister Black's WWE absence has left fans unhappy
Aleister Black is one of the most intriguing characters seen on WWE TV in recent memory. That's why it irked fans when they saw him being treated as an afterthought on the main roster following his move from WWE NXT.
Aleister Black competed in a singles match at WrestleMania 36 against Bobby Lashley. Things have changed drastically since then for both superstars. Bobby Lashley is currently the WWE Champion after successfully defending the belt against Drew McInytre on Night One of WrestleMania 37. Aleister Black, on the other hand, hasn't been seen on WWE TV since last October.
Aleister Black competed in a singles match against Kevin Owens on the October 12, 2020 edition of WWE RAW and lost the match via DQ. Black was taken off TV immediately following the loss and the WWE Universe hasn't seen him compete in the ring since.
Black has posted a bunch of cryptic messages on social media in his absence but WWE has yet to provide an official explanation as to his whereabouts.
#2 Andrade didn't compete for months on WWE TV and was eventually released
Andrade is a former WWE NXT Champion. He had a fine run on the main roster as well. The WWE Universe was hopeful that Andrade would be one of those talents that WWE wouldn't mess up following his move to the main roster.
The biggest feat that Andrade achieved on the main roster was a United States title win over WWE legend Rey Mysterio. Andrade defeated the veteran for the belt at a house show at Madison Square Garden on December 26, 2019.
Andrade's career simply didn't take off following his United States title run. He was a mainstay on WWE TV for almost the entirety of the pandemic era last year and it looked like things were going to get better for him in the near future.
Andrade's final WWE match came on the October 12, 2020 edition of RAW where he faced Angel Garza. Andrade failed to win the match and that was it for the former NXT Champion.
He was taken off TV by WWE, leading to speculation about his status in the company. Andrade later requested his release from WWE, which was initially rejected but was granted later.
#1 Keith Lee hasn't been seen on WWE TV since before Elimination Chamber
Keith Lee was moved to WWE's main roster last year after an incredible run on WWE NXT. He made a huge impact almost immediately and defeated Randy Orton at WWE Payback in what many still dub the biggest win of his career.
He later entered the United States title picture and was scheduled to take on Riddle and Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat match at Elimination Chamber 2021.
Keith Lee was removed from the match and replaced by John Morrison at Elimination Chamber. WWE didn't provide a reason for Lee's absence, and he later posted a tweet assuring fans that he would soon speak about his absence:
"I hear many of you. I see many of the messages. One day, I will explain it all for the ones true to me. For now, know that I more than appreciate the continued support. And WHEN I return, it will be filled with all the love I have for those that represent this #LEEGION"
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful has reported that Lee has been absent from WWE TV due to health reasons. It's also being reported that Lee is trying his best to get cleared to compete.
