5 Wrestlers who got sidelined in WWE but succeeded in other promotions

#4. EC3 - A big star in Impact Wrestling but an underwhelming one in WWE

EC3 had two unsuccessful stints in WWE

EC3 was one of the biggest success stories of a WWE superstar who didn't succeed but eventually did in Impact Wrestling. EC3 seemed to have the look, but it didn't work out in his first WWE run.

That didn't seem to matter because his stint in TNA/Impact Wrestling between 2013 and 2018 was a huge success. It was another story of a superstar with potential who couldn't make it at first in WWE but became popular elsewhere.

And by all means, EC3's success in Impact Wrestling was no fluke. He developed a strong character and became the best part of the promotion consistently.

This resulted in EC3 becoming a two-time Impact World Heavyweight Champion before he rejoined WWE in 2018. This time, it seemed as though things would be different for him. EC3 developed a strong persona and was a solid in-ring worker. It came as no surprise that he was fast-tracked through NXT and joined Monday Night RAW.

REFEREE EC3 NOW THAT HAS A NICE RING TO IT IT RHYMES AAAAAAAND NEVERMIND.#RAW @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/2LU2tEowtx

— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2019

This, however, was where all the problems began again. Jon Moxley/Dean Ambrose, who was a heel at the time, revealed that EC3 received heat because he wasn't able to get over as a babyface against him.

Additionally, EC3 wasn't even allowed to speak a word - taking away his biggest strength. Unfortunately, it led to him being sidelined in WWE for another year, constantly underutilized.

WWE has come to terms on the release of Kallisto, Chelsea Green, EC3. We wish him the best and your future endeavors pic.twitter.com/MNiSJc0pCZ

— WWE (@JesseGa54317723) August 10, 2021

He would be released by WWE on April 15th, 2020 as a part of the COVID-19 budget cuts.