'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Wrestlers are at the top of their game when they are part of WWE and it often comes as a shock to the system when releases come around. While several wrestlers decide to leave the company themselves having made other plans, there are others whose release often marks the end of their wrestling careers.
There are now several options for released superstars in the independent wrestling world following the rise of AEW, but there are still many stars who opt to leave the business.
The following list looks at just six former WWE Superstars who may never step foot in a wrestling ring after either announcing their retirement or going in a different direction following their release.
#6/5. Former WWE Superstars The Authors of Pain
The Authors of Pain dominated NXT in their early careers. They even led to the split of DIY after the team were unable to overcome the NXT Tag Team Champions and reclaim their titles.
After being promoted to WWE's main roster, AOP split with their Hall of Fame manager Paul Ellering. a decision that seemed to signal a downturn for their careers. Whilst AOP remained with WWE for several years after their promotion, and are former RAW Tag Team Champions, their main roster career wasn't on the same level as their run in NXT.
After seemingly aligning with Seth Rollins following the rise of The Messiah, The Authors of Pain were surprisingly released from the company back in September last year.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that the world is still yet to fully recover, it doesn't come as a huge surprise that the two stars are yet to make an impact on the Independent wrestling scene since their releases.
Reports from Fightful recently revealed that AOP have retired from the business and are now working regular jobs. Whilst this could just be until independent shows are up and running again, it could also mean that one of WWE's most dominant former Tag Teams may never set foot in a ring again.
Akam recently Tweeted in response to rumors about the two stars now working regular jobs and his partner Rezar shared the Tweet, seemingly mimicking his words.
The gist of the Tweet was that the duo are not done yet, which means that they could return to the ring in the future if they are able to find the right outlet.
#4. Former WWE Superstar Lio Rush
Throughout his time in NXT, Lio Rush was seen as a future prospect for the company and he proved that when he was promoted to WWE's main roster in 2018.
As the hype man for Bobby Lashley, Rush couldn't rely on his wrestling skills as much but was still able to step in the ring on several different occasions. After his split with The Almighty, Rush returned to NXT and went on to become the NXT Cruiserweight Champion before being released from WWE in April 2020.
Rush has since gone on to appear for several promotions outside of WWE in the past year including AEW. The former star made his AEW debut back at Double or Nothing but was recently forced to retire from the business after sustaining an injury.
In a recent Instagram post, Rush stated that he would fulfill his obligations with NJPW once he was healed, but it's unclear if that means that he will wrestle again or if he will return to the company in a different role.
#3. Former WWE Women's Champion Layla
Layla initially came to WWE after winning the 2006 Diva Search and later went on to become Women's Champion. The former star went on to align herself with Michelle McCool before the two women officially retired the Women's Championship in favor of the new Divas title.
Layla was a dominant force in the Women's Division for a number of years before she opted to retire back in 2015. The former Champion went on to marry fellow former WWE star Ricky Ortiz and has since moved on to a career as a real estate agent.
While many female wrestlers have spoken out about wanting to return to WWE as part of the Women's Revolution, Layla has confirmed she is happy to remain retired:
“I just feel that I had a very fruitful long career, and I attained everything I possibly could have attained in WWE, and I was given every opportunity. That door is closed, and I’m okay with that. And I feel just happy that I was able to have that. I look at my past, and I’m like, ‘wow I did all that stuff,’ and that’s just how I’d like to keep it.”
The former star told Ring The Belle that she was happy with the memories and that it is now a closed door for her.
#2. Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Brian Kendrick
Brian Kendrick became a veteran in WWE as part of his most recent run with the company and has even had a hand in training some of the company's up-and-coming talent.
Kendrick was a huge part of the Cruiserweight Division more than a decade ago. WWE decided to bring the star back when The Cruiserweight Division made a comeback in 2016.
In recent years, Kendrick was able to become Cruiserweight Champion before opting to transition into a backstage role in WWE last year where he would only wrestle on a part-time basis.
Earlier this year, WWE released a video package where Kendrick announced his retirement from wrestling, stating that he didn't realize how much he would enjoy producing:
"Initially the idea of producing seemed like a good - not a retirement plan - but the next best thing to wrestling. But it turns out it's just as rewarding, in different ways. I love every bit of it. It's a whole new way of looking at wrestling for me. I welcome the challenge.
"Getting this opportunity to train a little bit, do a little producing, it was something I figured I'd fall back on when I was done wrestling, if I was lucky enough to get the opportunity. I thought it would be the next best thing after wrestling, but I didn't realise how much I would enjoy it."
Kendrick currently works for WWE as a backstage producer where he helps with both 205 Live and NXT.
#1. WWE Hall of Famer Batista
Batista is a former six-time World Champion in WWE and one of the biggest names the company has ever created.
The Animal has transitioned into a career in the acting business in recent years and has been able to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax. The former WWE Champion returned to the company back in 2019 and wrestled his final match at WrestleMania 35 where he was defeated by Triple H.
Following the match, Batista announced his retirement from the company and has since been added to WWE's Hall of Fame. Batista was unable to be part of the Hall of Fame ceremony earlier this year, since he had other commitments, but will be inducted at a later date.
The Animal has made it clear that he doesn't want to be one of those wrestlers who announce their retirement several times and continue to return. There have been hints that Batista could return to face Bobby Lashley now that he's the world champion, but it appears that The Animal is focused on his acting career at present.
To stay updated with the latest news, rumors, and controversies in WWE every day, subscribe to Sportskeeda Wrestling’s YouTube channel.
