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For many pro wrestlers, WWE is seen as the Mount Everest of pro wrestling, and reaching the promotion is a goal for many wrestlers. The promotion has a massive fan following and gives wrestlers a great platform to grow.
But the WWE is also filled with numerous other fantastically gifted wrestlers which makes it hard to climb the ladder and reach the pinnacle. Life in WWE is also difficult due to the tough schedule that the wrestlers have to put up with.
These could be some of the reasons why some Superstars have vowed to not join WWE, while some others have a bad experience with WWE in the past.
Let's take a look at 6 Superstars who have said they'll never join WWE:
#6 Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner has been a vocal critic of WWE over the years, and is one who has questioned a lot of things about WWE as well as WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon. Steiner, who was previously with the company, between 2002 and 2004, hasn't returned to the company since that forgettable run.
Since then, he has worked with the likes of Impact Wrestling and NWA, among others. Steiner, in an appearance on the Sitting Ringside with David Penzer podcast earlier this year, said that WWE is the "worst place ever to work".
"CM Punk said the same thing I said 8 years or 9 years later. Moxley said the same thing. It’s the worst place ever to work. Every time I worked there, I wanted to quit. In 93 I left and I was gone for two years in Japan." (H/T WrestlingNews)
He also said that he would never want to be a part of the WWE Hall of Fame because the Hall of Fame only exists in "Vince's mind".
#5 Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal has made a name for himself over the years after wrestling for the likes of Ring of Honor and TNA, thanks to his great mic skills and his ability to put on an entertaining match. The 6-time TNA X Division Champion has never wrestled in WWE, and it seems that the 35-year-old may never join the company.
In an interview with Sportskeeda last year, the ROH wrestler revealed that he is not tempted to join WWE or AEW, and that his loyalty lies with ROH, who have provided him with opportunities:
"As far as where I want to be, my longtime dream was to make it in professional wrestling. To me, what making it was, was being able to buy a house, and buy a car, and pay your bills without needing an extra job. Just solely from the money that I make from wrestling. Ring of Honor has provided me with the opportunity to do so. I am extremely thankful for that. They have also given me opportunities that no other wrestling company that I've worked for has given me until now have given me. Hopefully, the future holds me doing something with or in Ring of Honor."
When asked if he would be tempted to join WWE or AEW, Lethal firmly responded with a "no".
#4 Gail Kim
Gail Kim has been praised by fans and wrestling pundits for being a big catalyst for the women's evolution that has happened in pro wrestling over the last decade and more. Kim, who was previously a part of WWE, had great feuds in TNA/Impact and elevated the women's division.
But, it didn't quite go her way in WWE. WWE were still in the Divas era when she was in the company, which meant that she did not have the opportunities that the likes of Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch have had over the last few years.
Kim, who is now retired, has had her issues with WWE. She has previously spoken about WWE being racist, and also how she was treated when she was in the company.
In an interview a few years ago, she said that she would never join WWE again:
“I’ve experienced WWE twice now, and I know that I do not enjoy that place. The second time I really had optimistic hopes and dreams, but I know I would never go back there."
She reiterated that sentiment two years ago when she was asked about appearing at WWE's Evolution PPV:
#3 Nick Aldis
Nick Aldis, two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, has the look, the charisma, and the in-ring skills to be a good signing for WWE. But, it seems that there are a few in WWE that he does not get along with and perhaps do not want him in the company.
The former TNA/Impact star revealed in an interview with Chris van Vliet earlier this year that there's someone in WWE who perhaps has a problem with him and that he no longer is interested in joining WWE.
"There’s somebody there who is very, very successful, who for whatever reason decided that he didn’t want to have anything to do with me because of some of his actions on a personal level. And I just, you know, it’s one of those weird things. They can’t — there’s no way to address it. And I’ve had conversations with him over the years, and I honestly just got to the point where I just went, I’m done chasing that dragon.’ Ultimately, what’s my vision here? Is it to be in the WWE, or is it to be a big time pro wrestler? Because yeah, one way obviously provides a much quicker path to the other. But it’s not the only path.” (H/T 411Mania)
Aldis has carved a niche for himself in NWA, and has helped in bringing back the pride and prestige in the legendary promotion.
#2 Kazuchika Okada
Following his incredible matches with Kenny Omega, many in the pro wrestling world considered Kazuchika Okada to be one of the best in the world. Okada has been an integral part of NJPW for years, and had a brief stint with TNA, as well as wrestling in a few other promotions.
WWE have reportedly been interested in signing Okada but the Japanese superstar is not keen on joining WWE - or any other promotion, for that matter.
In an interview a few years ago, Okada said he is not interested in signing with WWE because NJPW is "superior" to Vince McMahon's promotion:
“It’s not something I think about. New Japan is far superior to WWE when it comes to the quality of the roster and the quality of the matches. One thing I will say is that I do pay attention to what Finn Balor, AJ, and Nakamura are doing, and they look like they’re having fun. I might want to wrestle them again someday, but I might want to do that in New Japan.
He said that he could even try his hand at UFC, but did not consider joining WWE.
#1 Jon Moxley
One former WWE Superstar who has been vocal about his stint in WWE and how he was unhappy there is Jon Moxley, FKA Dean Ambrose. Moxley, who is now a part of AEW, was with WWE for 8 years, and won quite a few titles.
But, by the end of his stint with the company, he was frustrated at the creative process and how he was stifled in the company.
On a recent appearance on Wrestling Observer Live, Moxley ruled out ever returning to WWE, and said that he would rather work at McDonald's than be a producer in WWE after his retirement.
"If I couldn't wrestle right now, I think I'd maybe have a shot to be like a producer, a coach, or a trainer, something like that. Be involved in some way which I would never say, I would never be a producer in WWE. I would rather work in McDonalds than be a producer in WWE. You talk about a thankless job…Or be on the creative team at WWE, I would rather like, tar driveways in the summer heat than be a creative member of the creative team in WWE."
