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WWE's weekly events are always performed live, which means that Superstars' personal factors can often cause last-minute changes. WWE often states that all cards are subject to change, which covers the company from being sued if fans turn up to watch a certain WWE Superstar, only to find they are then not part of the show.
Over the years there have been several reasons for stars being replaced at the last minute including suspension, injury, and even issues in the Superstar's personal life. This means that certain stars are then forced to be pulled from their matches and a replacement is then named. More often than not this takes place at the last minute.
The following list looks at just five occasions where WWE Superstars were removed and replaced in their scheduled matches at the last minute and the reasons why.
#5. WWE Superstar Keith Lee - Elimination Chamber 2021
The latest addition to this list is former NXT North American Champion Keith Lee, who was originally scheduled to be part of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view last month.
Lee was set to take on both Riddle and Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship at WWE's second pay-per-view event of the year, before it was revealed that The Limitless Superstar was struggling with an injury.
Despite the fact that WWE was aware that Lee would be unable to compete at Elimination Chamber the entire week before the show, they didn't make the decision to replace the Superstar until hours before the event went live.
It was announced on WWE's Twitter page that Lee's replacement would be decided as part of a kickoff show match between Elias, Mustafa Ali, John Morrison, and Ricochet. The winner of the match would then be inserted into the triple threat match for the United States Championship later in the night.
It was John Morrison who emerged victorious when he was able to pin Mustafa Ali, before going on to be the man who was pinned in the triple threat match. Riddle became the new United States Champion at Elimination Chamber when he was able to pin Morrison rather than the reigning Champion.
This was the reason why WWE pushed so hard for a third member of the match, since Lashley was being protected ahead of his push towards the WWE Championship, which the former United States Champion now holds around his waist.
#4. WWE Superstar & Former SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi - Beast In The East 2015
WWE traveled to Japan in 2015 with Brock Lesnar set to take on Kofi Kingston. The show was aptly called Beast in the East and also included an interesting card full of top WWE Superstars, with several titles on the line.
Finn Balor returned to the country where he first found his feet in the business and was able to win the NXT Championship from Kevin Owens in the main event. Another Championship that was on the line was the WWE Divas title as Nikki Bella defended in a triple threat match against both Naomi and Paige.
Naomi was one of the favorites to win the match heading into the show, but fans were shocked when the show aired, and rather than Naomi making her way out to the ring, it was Tamina.
Needless to say, Nikki Bella went on to retain her Championship that night and it was later revealed that Naomi suffered the loss of someone close to her. Because of this, she was given leave and Tamina was chosen to take her place.
The Superstar took to Twitter to confirm the news and returned to WWE TV a few weeks later.
#3. Former WWE Superstar Rusev - Elimination Chamber 2015
The 2015 Elimination Chamber pay-per-view is one that WWE would probably prefer to forget. On paper, the show looked as though it could be an interesting one, but didn't actually follow through on this potential.
The Elimination Chamber match lacked any storyline between the Superstars who were involved. But one story that stood out was Rusev's feud with Dolph Ziggler. Before the match actually aired, Rusev broke his foot and was then taken out of the equation and replaced by Mark Henry, which didn't make a lot of sense.
This was the Elimination Chamber match for the Intercontinental Championship and ahead of the match, Rusev was seen as the favorite. Interestingly, it was former WWE Superstar Ryback who went on to be victorious and was then handed the title by former Champion Daniel Bryan, who had been forced to vacate the title through injury.
Rusev was still wrestling barefoot ahead of this show. But following his broken foot, it appears that someone in WWE backstage told him to change it up and start wearing boots.
#2. WWE Superstar & Former WWE Champion Sheamus - Survivor Series 2014
WWE's Survivor Series pay-per-view in 2014 is best remembered as the show where The Icon Sting made his WWE debut. Ahead of the show, WWE had to move a lot of things around in order to ensure that the traditional elimination match was able to take place.
The original plan was for Sheamus to be part of Team Cena, but after it was confirmed that The Irish Superstar would be undergoing surgery for several niggling injuries, he was replaced by Erick Rowan.
This was quite the masterstroke, since Luke Harper was on Team Authority at the time. After years of working together as two-thirds of The Wyatt Family, Rowan and Harper were able to stand on opposite sides of the ring as individual Superstars.
Of course, Rowan didn't make a huge impact as part of the match on the night and in the end, it was Team Cena who walked out victorious after WCW legend Sting made his debut and made it clear that he was targeting The Authority.
#1. WWE Superstar Reckoning - Royal Rumble 2021
The Women's Royal Rumble match back in January was won by The EST of WWE, Bianca Beliar. But the match itself was forced to go through several changes in the build-up to the show.
WWE Superstar Mia Yim, who is now known as Reckoning on the main roster, took to Twitter to reveal that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The former NXT Superstar was originally part of The Royal Rumble match, since she had been promoted to the main roster a few months earlier.
This meant WWE was then given the headache of having to replace the Superstar just days before the event. In the end, it was former NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm who was given the chance to be part of the match in place of Reckoning.
There were also several last-minute replacements in the men's Royal Rumble match, since Jey Uso was struggling with an injury at the time. Despite declaring himself for the match, he wasn't part of the 30-man field.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
