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Life in WWE isn't easy. Considering the time dedicated to developing your craft, the training to maintain your body, plus the travel and being away from your family, being a part of the promotion certainly presents many challenges. For some superstars, their initial run with the company was met with some success, while others experienced none at all.
The performers discussed below walked away after being released from the company. Their time away was an opportunity to rekindle the spark that got them in the door in the first place. In some cases, these stars were green and needed maturity to bring out the inner talent that the creative teams saw in them. For others, they were booked well initially only to be saddled with less than favourable characters.
However, once they returned to the company, these wrestlers achieved even greater success than they had before. Who are they, and how is it that they were used to a much greater extent?
Here are six WWE superstars who were released and returned to greater success.
#1 Cody Rhodes: WWE's Prodigal Son
Cody Rhodes had everything to become a main-eventer in WWE: He was the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes and was a homegrown WWE product who was safe in the ring. He did achieve success in his initial run, winning the Intercontinental and Tag Team Championships. Even after being a part of memorable storylines like the rivalry with SHIELD and him re-introducing the classic IC title with a white strap, something seemed to be missing. Rhodes requested his release from WWE in 2016, after the Stardust gimmick failed to take off.
Cody worked on the independent circuit, reinventing himself and winning titles. He also founded All Elite Wrestling alongside Tony Khan and others, which shook the wrestling industry to its core. The American Nightmare became one of the top babyfaces of AEW, while handling things behind-the-scenes as well. His run with the TNT Championship was compared to Cena's 2015 US Title reign, given how the AEW EVP was not only building himself, but his rivals and the title's prestige as well.
Given that he was the first wrestler to jump ship from AEW to WWE, it made Cody a bigger priority for Vince than he ever was. The American Nightmare now has pyrotechnics added to his entrance, has a countdown on RAW every week and is allowed to be his natural self on the microphone. Though he hasn't won any championships yet, don't be surprised if Cody Rhodes becomes the guy who finally dethrones Roman Reigns.
#2 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre had one of the best initial runs in WWE history. The Scottish Warrior was introduced to the audience by Chairman Vince McMahon himself, who even claimed the former to be the future of WWE. He even won the prestigious Intercontinental Championship, but things went downhill from there. He was made a member of the 3MB stable, following which he was released from the promotion.
However, McIntyre refused to give up, got back in shape and built a name for himself on the independent wrestling circuit before returning to WWE in 2017. The Scottish Warrior had a dominant run as the NXT Champion before moving up to the main roster and winning the Tag Team Championships alongside Dolph Ziggler. The Scottish wrestler defeated Brock Lesnar to become the first British WWE Champion and carried the entire company on his back during the pandemic era.
#3 Jinder Mahal
Let's go from one 3MB member to another. When Jinder Mahal was first a part of Florida Championship Wrestling, which became NXT, he was still developing in the ring. For many that aren't aware, he was part of the finals of the tournament to determine the inaugural NXT Champion, against Seth Rollins. Although he wasn't successful, reaching the finals was an indication of the potential seen in him.
His time was most notably spent as part of the 3 Man Band, also known as 3MB, alongside Drew McIntrye and Health Slater. They were generally there to amuse fans, even if their role was that of heels.
After the group disbanded, the company had nothing for Mahal, leaving him without any creative direction and eventually leading to his release from the company. But what a return he has made after being away from the company for a few years!
He has dramatically improved his look, and after showing a similar dedication to his character, he was given the ball and made WWE Champion, ahead of the promotion's India tour in 2017. He has since then won the United States and the 24/7 Championship as well.
At times when someone walks away, they return after finding out what they are willing to do in order to get there. For Mahal, he has made the most of his second chance.
#4 X-Pac
When Sean Waltman was initially in WWE as the 1-2-3 Kid, he became popular for his upset win against Razor Ramon. Even before that, he was known as The Lightning Kid and initially earned notoriety while competing in Japan and for some of the smaller independent promotions around the United States.
However, the 1-2-3 Kid was a fairly dated character, and after some time, his run with the company ended, following which he joined WCW. However, after a falling out with Eric Bischoff, Waltman left and once again returned to WWE, joining D-Generation X.
Almost immediately, it seemed that his return gave him a new life. His second time around with the company saw him capture the European Championship twice, along with the Light Heavyweight Championship and the Tag Team Championship.
#5 Brock Lesnar
Since his return, The Beast Incarnate has been a featured attraction in WWE, and has faced the likes of Triple H, John Cena, Goldberg, Roman Reigns and The Undertaker. Whether his opponent was successful or not didn't matter, as Lesnar's involvement in these feuds gave his rivals credibility and exposure.
While he may only be appearing on a part-time basis, his overall value cannot be denied. Lesnar has continued to add value to each and every show, each and every match that he has been a part of, making his return that much more notable.
Him returning at SummerSlam 2021 and turning face has unleashed a side of The Beast that fans never knew of. Fans thoroughly enjoyed having the Bearded Butcher clash with The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. This was a big win for the company, considering how poorly the Roman Reigns/Brock Lesnar feud was received by the audience in the past few years.
Lesnar's return hasn't just meant a monetary windfall for him, it has been one for WWE as well. The overall impact of this return cannot be ignored.
#6 Daniel Bryan
This may not seem like a case of departure or a return to greater success. But when we think about it, this could be the most impactful case of a wrestler who left the promotion and returned to greater things. During Bryan's first run with WWE, he was a part of NXT, and his ’mentor' was The Miz.
We all recall how that unfolded on-screen. After that first season of NXT, Bryan also aligned with The Nexus in their beat down of John Cena and wholesale demolition of the ringside area. It was during that beatdown that Bryan strangled ring announcer Justin Roberts with his tie, in an improvised spot that wasn't scripted. The act led to Bryan's release from the company due to concerns that advertisers might find it too violent an act.
However, The American Dragon returned soon enough, majorly due to the backlash Vince McMahon's promotion received for firing the indie legend. After returning, Bryan's career skyrocketed and he attained the success that many fans wanted for him. The leader of the YES! movement would capture the United States Championship, Intercontinental Championship, WWE Tag Team Championship and WWE Championship. Who would have known that an error in judgment and a second chance would lead to as much success as Bryan achieved?
Suggested: Former/Current WWE Superstars who made their return a huge success for the company
