5 WWE Superstars you may have forgotten are still contracted

WWE is just like any other company that hires employees on time-limited contracts. All the entertainers sign time-limited deals with the promotion, whether they are superstars, announcers, legends or referees.

Over the years, many superstars have chosen not to renew their contracts with the promotion - Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan being prime examples.

There have also been multiple instances of superstars getting unexpectedly released from their contracts. The company has released over 70 employees from their contracts in 2021 alone. The list includes prominent names like Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe.

Various reasons such as injury and lack of booking can lead to contracted superstars remaining absent for an extended period. Here are five superstars you might have forgotten are still contracted.

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#5. The Undertaker is still contracted to WWE

The Undertaker is one of the greatest sports entertainers of all time. After a remarkable match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36, The Deadman officially announced his retirement in 2020.

However, he hasn't stopped working for the company that made him what he is today. Fans have seen him appear in shows like Escape The Undertaker alongside The New Day and he also still has various meet & greets with fans.

The legendary superstar reportedly signed a 15-year deal with WWE in 2019, keeping him WWE bound at least until 2034. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he explained the terms of his current legends contract.

"That extended contract is obviously not a contract that keeps me in the ring for 15 years,” The Undertaker said. “It keeps the brand at home, and there are a lot of ways that [chairman Vince McMahon] thinks I can contribute to the company after my days in the ring are done."

It is pleasing to hear that The Phenom will keep entertaining fans for an extended period. While his retirement has already been announced, he may return for another match sometime in the future, just like Shawn Michaels.

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Thanks to talkSPORT for the transcription!

#3. Jason Jordan is still contracted to WWE

Jason Jordan was among the members of WWE's active roster a few years ago. Fans remember him for his work in storylines involving Kurt Angle and Seth Rollins.

After suffering a a serious neck injury in January 2018, he was quickly written off television. After a treatment that required surgery, he was supposedly sidelined for over a year.

Although fans haven't seen him in a long time, he is still contracted as a backstage producer. His last television appearance was on May 29, 2020 episode of SmackDown where he appeared walking alongside police officers arresting Jeff Hardy. In April 2021, Jason Jordan was reportedly promoted to a new role as Lead Producer.

In an interview with The Bump, Chad Gable revealed that his former tag team partner is preparing for an in-ring return.

"He's working on it, he's trying to get back, and who knows? A reunion is always something that I would never be against." said Chad Gable.

Hopefully, the former Tag Team Champion will return for at least one more match in the future.

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#4. Booker T is still contracted to WWE

Booker T is one of the most frequent pro-wrestling legends to still appear on television. Since his last match for the company in 2012, fans have known him as a color commentator and a pre-show panelist.

In a 2019 interview with Ken Hoffman from Culture Map, the former World Champion revealed the details of his legends contract.

"I still work for WWE. I am currently an analyst in the pay-per-view shows and Ambassador of the company. My contract runs until 2029." said Booker T.

Although he hasn't wrestled for WWE in a while, the five-time WCW Champion isn't a fully retired pro-wrestler. His fans may know that he has wrestled a few matches for his own promotion, Reality of Wrestling.

Hopefully, he will wrestle one more match for Vince McMahon's promotion before completely retiring from in-ring competition. Who knows? He might compete in the 2022 Royal Rumble match!

#2. Paige is still contracted to WWE

Paige is one of the most talked-about female competitors to ever step foot in WWE. Her rivalries against AJ Lee and Nikki Bella are specifically memorable.

Due to a severe neck injury, the Anti-Diva announced her untimely retirement from in-ring competition in 2018. She has performed in roles such as General Manager and pre-show panelist ever since.

However, her name still carries significant value for the promotion as she has been kept hired to this date. In a 2021 Twitch stream, she revealed that she is still under a contract that runs up to June 2022.

“My contract is up in June of next year,'' said Paige. ''Who knows if they would want to give me a new contract? Who’s to say they would want to? If they did, I’d love to have Twitch as a part of the contract," said Paige.

The former Divas Champion has also dropped hints of her in-ring return via Twitter. If she recovers soon enough, fans may see her in the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble match.

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#1. Elias is still contracted to WWE

It has been long since the fans 'Walked with Elias'

Elias was one of the most frequent names in the pro-wrestling industry a few months ago. However, it looks like the company has no plans for him.

His last match was in July 2021, which is more than seven months ago. Fans saw vignettes of him burning his guitar, confirming the end to his "Walk with Elias" gimmick.

According to a report from WrestleVotes, the company had no end plans for the vignettes. Vince McMahon rejected his look as it looked similar to Randy Savage.

In 2020, it was revealed that Elias had signed a 3-year contract with WWE. This means that he will remain under contract until at least 2023. Many fans may have forgotten that he is still under a contract.

Hopefully, WWE will find an interesting character for the superstar, and fans will see Elias on television soon.