5 WWE superstars who are "counting the days" for their contract to end

With the sudden and unexpected rise of All Elite Wrestling, the reports seem to suggest that the tides are really turning within WWE. While WWE has always been the #1 player in the pro-wrestling/sports entertainment industry, there's an increasing feeling that they're not alone anymore.

Of course, it's going to be a while before anyone reaches their level, but what we mean to say is what Jon Moxley told Chris Jericho - Wrestlers don't really have to worry about job security. It's 2019 and there are plenty of options for wrestlers around the world.

While AEW would obviously be a first choice given how its being run and the billionare backing that it is, it's realistic to say that AEW can't (nor should they) sign every available former WWE superstar.

At the end of the day, the reports are probably true, there are a bunch of WWE superstars who are essentially "counting the days" for their contracts to end. Here are the obvious names.

#5. Eric Young

Eric Young has really been in the middle of a bad and unfortunate situation. After years of toiling in Impact Wrestling, he jumped over to WWE and formed an incredible faction in Sanity. It had all the makings of being a potentially great group, but then...the main roster happened.

As we know, once the "main roster effect" takes place, it ruins everything. Sanity were instantly demoted to jobbers and the group was hardly featured before being quietly split up. Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain have gone back to NXT while Eric Young is toiling on RAW, probably chasing after the 24/7 Championship.

Since his run in WWE didn't quite go as expected, he's probably counting the days until his contract ends and he can go back to free agent status.

#4. Lio Rush

Lio Rush hasn't had the best 2019. While there were always previous reports last year over some backstage heat he received, it seems like in 2019 that heat reached an all-time high. According to Fightful.com:

A source on the WWE Roster tells me Lio Rush would be very lucky to be back on the main roster any time soon, if ever. The brash cruiserweight has repeatedly rubbed the locker room the wrong way, and we've heard from several WWE sources that the roster has wanted him out of the locker room for quite a while.

Word about things gets around the locker room quite quickly and for the young Rush, it happened to be about an incident with Finn Balor.

One [incident] apparently involves former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor, who was making an effort to give Rush advice months ago. Balor allegedly let Rush know that it's quite likely that Vince McMahon wouldn't take kindly to his wife sitting in on rehearsals, and Rush responded unfavorably. Word got around the locker room pretty quickly.

Rest assured, Lio Rush will be waiting for the day his contract ends as he seems to be sitting home now.

#3. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin was originally supposed to return shortly after the brand split returned in 2016. In fact, WWE had even teased his return with a promo. However, due to medical issues, he still had to undergo surgery and deal with all sorts of issues and as a result, he didn't sign his WWE contract.

The door was, however, open to Benjamin and he took it in 2017, returning and teaming with Chad Gable. The problem was that once Gable was moved over to RAW, there was nothing for Benjamin to do.

Now, we understand that his role in the first place was generally to help put over younger superstars and be at a midcard level. But the way Benjamin has been on the sidelines is almost injustice.

The fact of the matter is that Benjamin is still a top-level performer and can put on great matches. The only way for him to do that, it seems, is to leave WWE and he's probably counting the days till he can.

#2. Rusev

Rusev has been frustrated for a while now and hasn't really hidden the fact on social media. He's gotten into a bit of trouble with Lana over the years in WWE but overall, they still managed to maintain their popularity, primarily due to their likeable personalities that are seen outside of the WWE walls.

There was a period in 2017-18 where Rusev was one of the hottest stars in the entire company, with "Rusev Day" unexpectedly picking up steam. He was one of the most over wrestlers on the roster and as expected, WWE did absolutely nothing with it.

They squandered any momentum he had and made Jinder Mahal pin him at WrestleMania 34. Rusev later declared that Rusev Day is dead and he seemingly lost all motivation as well. Hardly being utilized, Lana and Rusev have been rather snarky with their comments on social media.

We don't blame them and believe that they'll both want out as soon as they can.

#1. Luke Harper

Luke Harper has been vocal about his frustrations in WWE dating all the way back. Around pre-WrestleMania period, he admitted that he was cleared to wrestle in February and stated his frustrations of not being utilized.

He then appeared at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and hasn't been doing much since, despite being clear. Harper made a big mistake when he stated on social media that he requested his release from WWE - because his request got rejected.

Moreover, it was worsened by the fact that WWE froze his contract when injured and added the months to his contract. As a result, his WWE contract ends around November 2019.

It's absolutely no secret that Harper is biding his time until it ends. He's a true wrestler and loves to wrestle in front of audiences. Being denied the opportunity probably feels like being trapped in a jail.

Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE