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

#1. Cody Rhodes made his biggest impact outside of WWE

Cody Rhodes requested his departure from WWE in 2016

Nowadays, it's commonplace to see superstars who get released from WWE making a promotional video about how they were "trapped" in the company.

When it comes to a superstar having a big chip on their shoulder after leaving WWE, there is no better example than Cody Rhodes. He left WWE in 2016 after requesting his release and made a list of names he wanted to face in the independent scene.

Sheamus got that face mask like Cody Rhodes #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/TmCtAS409i

— Stephen 🇨🇦 (@Stephen86210871) June 8, 2021

This helped build Cody's image and he quickly became the hottest superstar in the independent wrestling scene. Leaving WWE turned out to be a fruitful decision because of how underutilized he was in Vince McMahon's company.

There seemed to be a lot of promise for Cody Rhodes as a singles star in 2010, but things didn't work out as he would have hoped. However, Cody's stints in the independent wrestling scene, Ring of Honor, NJPW, etc., eventually set up his biggest project - All Elite Wrestling.

While the former WWE star hasn't become a world champion in AEW, he is a crowd favorite and is a featured top star in important feuds.

Cody Rhodes has firmly set his roots outside of WWE to a level where he doesn't need to resurface in Vince McMahon's promotion anytime soon.