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This year, a number of WWE Superstars have asked for their release in 2019. Since the inception of AEW, Vince McMahon has been cautious to grant releases to his Superstars as their arrival in the rival company could backfire on WWE.
Also read: 3 WWE Superstars Vince McMahon almost fired and 3 wrestlers he almost hired
Some Superstars were close to leaving WWE but in the last minute, things took a different path. It could have been because they re-signed their contract or Vince didn’t allow them to leave his company. Whatever the case may be, it is true that some Superstars have looked for a way out but haven't been allowed to leave the company.
Here are 5 WWE Superstars who wanted to leave WWE this year and the reasons why they are still linked to the company.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article belong to the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda.
#5 & #4 Maria and Mike Kanellis
Maria and Mike Kanellis became popular due to their work in the independent circuit. They returned to WWE in 2017 during Money in the Bank as heels. Both Superstars work great in the WWE but for the creative team, they were similar to other wrestlers.
Mike had a decent run in 205 Live but his career was going nowhere and according to a report, he and Maria decided to leave WWE but at the last minute, they changed their minds and renewed their contracts.
When a fan asked why she and her husband didn’t leave WWE, Maria stated:
“At the end of the day, WWE was where I started and it’s where I wanted to complete my career. And when they came to the table with the opportunity to have a family and career it sealed the deal. People think they know everything but it’s all in the details.”
Maria is currently on hiatus due to her pregnancy while her husband, Mike, is still floating in the mid-card scene.
#3 Luke Harper
Luke Harper injured his hand last year and the injury kept him away from in-ring competition for a few months. He returned to WWE during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35, but the doctors had cleared him months before the event.
It was reported that Harper had an argument with Vince McMahon about his return and the chairman believed that the former Intercontinental Champion’s performance at WrestleMania 35 wasn’t up to standards.
According to reports, Harper had asked for his release from WWE but Triple H ignored him. When the former Bludgeon Brothers' member publicly asked for his release, WWE rejected it and added six more months to his contract for the time he was inactive in the ring.
Harper’s original contract was going to expire in November 2019, but with the extension, Harper will have to stay until May 2020. We still haven’t seen him return to the WWE ring and it seems like Vince McMahon still doesn’t have any plans for him.
#2 & #1 Karl Anderon and Luke Gallows
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows wanted to leave WWE in 2019. Their contract was due to expire this month but the former Raw Tag Team Champions signed a 5-year contract with WWE. According to PWInsider, this is the reason why Anderson and Gallows agreed to renew their contracts:
“Gallows and Anderson had initially turned down WWE's overtures to sign them to new deals, but with the promise of a new push (as seen with the AJ Styles alliance) and what sources have claimed to have been a 'ridiculously amazing' financial offer, the tag team reconsidered.”
Since signing new contracts, Gallows and Anderson have seen some success in WWE. The company re-aligned them with AJ Styles and rebranded them as The OC.
They also won the Raw Tag Team Championships but lost it to Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins a few weeks ago on Monday Night RAW. But this wouldn’t be an issue as long as they are working with the current United States Champion, AJ Styles.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
