WWE Superstars consider a forced time out from the ring to be a bane; new stars might be created in that time that could lead to their fall down the card. But sometimes, a little time away from the ring can become a blessing in disguise.
This list takes a look at five wrestlers who found a second wind during their time away from the ring – whether it be due to injuries or release from the company.
#5 Kevin Nash - Actor
Kevin Nash took a hiatus from the WWE after competing in an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight title and becoming the first man to be eliminated from the match. A few weeks back, Nash had also lost a hair vs hair match against Chris Jericho which resulted in Y2J chopping off large chunks of Big Daddy Cool’s locks.
However, Nash wanted the humiliation as he was set to act in the Punisher movie with Thomas Jane and the character couldn’t have long hair.
Nash would have wished that he never made the move as the movie was received poorly by critics and his WWE career never recovered. He would even be accidently stabbed by Jane during the shoot.
#4 Edge – Actor and family man
Edge’s previous marriages had all ended in divorces and he became involved in a relationship with WWE Diva Beth Phoenix in 2011. Coincidently, Edge was advised by doctors to stop wrestling due to a spinal condition.
The time-out gave Edge a lot of space to connect with Beth and they are still together after five years, with two kids.
Concurrently, Edge also got to show off his acting skills with a recurring part in Haven.
#3 Roddy Piper – Actor
It is really unfortunate that Roddy Piper has never won a World title despite being a legend in the WWE and WCW. One of the reasons is due to the fact that Piper juggled an acting career alongside his performances in the ring.
Deadline.com wrote, "During and after his wrestling days, Piper racked up dozens of film and TV credits, starring in numerous action B-movies and later doing voice work".Rolling Stones magazine wrote that Piper "had a memorable career as a cult actor", citing They Live and the 1987 film Hell Comes To Frogtown.
#2 Chris Jericho – Actor and Musician
Chris Jericho used to do performances with his band Fozzy even when he was signed full-time with the WWE, but it was after his break from the company in 2005 that he kicked it up a notch. The Canadian went for sustained tours with his rock band and tried hard to build a following for the band.
He also branched out into acting, with small roles in multiple films and had even floated his own web series.
Jericho mixes all these acts even now and that is the reason he doesn’t stay in the company for a sustained period.
#1 Shane McMahon – CEO and founder of You On Demand
Shane McMahon shocked the wrestling faithful in 2009 when he announced that he was resigning from his executive position in the WWE. Shane wanted to make it on his own and he started an entertainment company in China called You on Demand.
McMahon also signed a deal to become the new CEO of China Broadband Inc., a provider of cable broadband services, as well as other digital and analog related services, in the Shandong province of China.
Shane is also on the board of a management company that represents Irish golfer Rory Mcllroy.
