5 Wrestlers That Found Success After Being Released By WWE

WWE has for a long time been considered the mecca of pro wrestling. Anyone who makes it to WWE is considered to be one of those who succeeded in their career.

However, this is far from being the case before WWE became the biggest pro wrestling company, as there existed a territorial form of wrestling where people could go to any of these territories to work in and own their craft.

This changed rapidly once Vince McMahon took over from his father who had been more of a traditionalist little did. McMahon bought several territories and brought them under one roof, WWF - one of the largest wrestling promotions in the world with the help of Hulk Hogan and other big names.

But not all wrestlers find success in WWE.

Here are five wrestlers who left WWE and found success elsewhere, be it in the ring or on the silver screen.

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#5 EC3

EC3 is currently back in the WWE, with NXT

EC3 is currently poised to be one of the next big stars in NXT but there was a time when he was a part of the brand but things did not end up too well for him. He was known as Derrick Bateman and WWE drastically underestimated his capabilities, not giving him a chance to succeed which he would have needed to truly be a big part of WWE.

He was fired from the company and after some time on the independent scene, he proved why he was a star. He moved to Impact Wrestling and held championships multiple times, including winning the Impact grand title, heavyweight title and the world title series.

His charisma was on another level and not even a fraction of this was seen during his run with WWE, but since coming back to the WWE and NXT, his stock has risen once again.

#4 Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre is currently one-half of the RAW Tag Team champions

Drew McIntyre was once a huge part of WWE's programming. He was declared to be the chosen one by Vince McMahon. In the first years of his run with the company, he achieved small victories but never really gained the recognition needed to be seen as a huge star.

WWE relegated him into a jobbers group, 3MB, and before long he was gone from the company on the indie scene.

McIntyre did not waste any time, he took booking after booking in the indie scene and worked on his own physique in the meantime as well. He was soon one of the most in-demand stars on the independent scene.

He was so good that WWE called him back to their roster when they brought him back, to NXT, and he won the NXT title and ruled the developmental territory.

Since coming up to Raw with Dolph Ziggler he's looked even more impressive.

#3 Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley was without a doubt a huge talent in his younger years, one that would become one of the top wrestlers in the years to come. His legitimate powers in the ring only added to his persona.

He was released from WWE when he was recovering from a real injury that he had suffered at the time.

When he left WWE he joined several promotions and also tried his hand at MMA where he was a huge success. He also found success in Impact Wrestling where he held multiple titles. He became a bona fide star outside WWE before finally returning the company earlier this year.

#2 Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista, known as Batista on WWE

Dave Bautista is currently one of the most well known former WWE stars of all time possibly ranking alongside the Rock, John Cena and Hulk Hogan. Creative differences with the company led to his WWE exit, while he also did not enjoy the PG product and the way that he was being booked.

He was released by the company and he walked away, but has since been on a great run, being a part of several blockbuster movies. His biggest role has been that of Drax in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy series.

He also recently was a part of Hotel Artemus although he expressed interest in returning to the company at some point.

#1 Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes is the single hottest commodity in wrestling right now. In WWE, he looked like he would become a star and being a part of huge legacy helped his career no end, however, the momentum in his career seemed to go away suddenly.

He requested his release from the company and made the switch to the independent circuit, where he found success on many independent brands such as Ring of Honor and NJPW.

The major change came in his life when he was accepted into the Bullet Club. Since then there has been no looking back for Rhodes. Cody has been part of some of the best storylines in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

He, with The Young Bucks, also held one of the biggest indie events in USA, All In, where he also won the NWA title.