'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAkhf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAhEAABBAIABwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEEQASBQYUUmFxgf/aAAgBAQABPwBY0IYnSucJgFFaeKHHFd9ydJGz3cO7pU7flJh8pQ1MlVl4fAy0pPVtZ//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEA/9oACAECAQE/AEv/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIi/9oACAEDAQE/AIhW9H//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not uncommon for WWE Superstars to compete in 150+ matches in one year. Now, with live events no longer on the WWE calendar, Superstars are unlikely to participate in more than 60 matches in a 12-month span.
The likes of Bayley, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, and Sasha Banks have been among the most prominent Superstars on WWE television in 2020. Meanwhile, other high-profile names, including Ronda Rousey and Triple H, have not competed at all this year.
Those aforementioned full-time Superstars look set to have key roles in WWE over the next few months. The same, however, cannot be said for a select few Superstars who have not appeared much on television in recent months.
While some have unofficially retired from active WWE competition, others have kept quiet on what they plan to do next in WWE.
In this article, let’s take a look at six WWE Superstars whose in-ring futures are uncertain.
#6 The Undertaker’s WWE future is uncertain
It should come as no surprise that this article is inspired by the man behind The Undertaker character, Mark Calaway. The WWE icon seemingly confirmed his retirement during his Last Ride docuseries on the WWE Network earlier in 2020. However, he also suggested that he could return if Vince McMahon ever needs him.
Fast forward five months and, once again, mystery surrounds the in-ring future of The Undertaker. This year’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view will largely revolve around The Deadman, who debuted 30 years ago at WWE Survivor Series 1990.
Speaking ahead of the event, which is being promoted as The Undertaker’s “Final Farewell”, Calaway has openly discussed his future. He reiterated to Yahoo that he views himself as retired, but that could change with one phone call from McMahon.
"I'm going with it, but I work for a man by the name of Vince McMahon, whose motto is 'Never say never.' And I'll kind of leave that there. In my eyes, yeah, I am officially retired."
All eyes now will be on WWE Survivor Series, which takes place inside the WWE Thunderdome on November 22. If The Undertaker’s farewell goes by without any interferences, it is safe to assume that he really has retired.
#5 Triple H’s WWE future is uncertain
A 14-time WWE World Champion, Triple H is two title wins away from tying John Cena and Ric Flair’s record of 16 reigns.
Realistically, that is not going to happen any time soon. Triple H’s last reign took place in 2016 and he rarely competes in WWE matches these days, let alone World Championship matches.
The 51-year-old said on The Bill Simmons Podcast in 2020 that he cannot rule out making an in-ring return. For now, though, he is happy to continue his work behind the scenes with WWE’s next generation of Superstars in NXT.
“I don’t feel like I’m at the point where I would say ‘absolutely not’ under any circumstances. Probably not that far off, but the thing for me that’s good is I’m so transitioned over and satisfied with the other aspects of my career and life, and everything else. I get as much fun and excitement of what watching others succeed at it.” [H/T 411mania]
Triple H’s last televised WWE match came in June 2019 when he lost against Randy Orton at WWE Super ShowDown. He also competed in two tag team matches later that month at WWE live events in Japan.
#4 Jason Jordan’s WWE future is uncertain
Jason Jordan became one of the most prominent Superstars on WWE RAW after he was revealed as Kurt Angle’s storyline son. The outlandish story began in July 2017 and it was supposed to result in a WrestleMania 34 match between the two men.
Unfortunately, Jordan had to undergo neck surgery in February 2018, ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future.
WWE medical director Dr. Joseph Maroon gave the following statement after Jordan’s surgery.
“He had an injury to a disc in his neck which resulted in significant pain that was refractory to all conservative measures. It was decided to do a minimally invasive operation to decompress the nerve, to allow it to heal.”
Although Jordan now works behind the scenes in WWE as a producer, his in-ring future is still uncertain. He has not returned to the ring since the surgery and he has not publicly confirmed or denied that he has been forced to retire.
For what it is worth, he is still listed in the ‘Current Superstars’ section on WWE’s website.
#3 Kane’s WWE future is uncertain
Glenn Jacobs’ WWE future is not exactly a priority right now. The man behind the Kane character is the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, which means his WWE career is very much on hold.
At the age of 53, Kane is one of the oldest Superstars on the WWE roster. However, unlike other Superstars around his age, The Devil’s Favorite Demon has still not retired from in-ring competition.
Speaking to WWE on FOX’s Ryan Satin, the veteran admitted that even he does not know what lies ahead for him in WWE.
"Well, maybe [compete again]. I don't know, it just depends. Like I said, you never say never in WWE. But at the same point in time, I have gotten to the point in my life where I'm comfortable not being in the wrestling ring."
Kane’s most recent WWE matches took place in September 2019 when he participated in comedy segments with 24/7 Champion R-Truth. Prior to that, his last PPV match came at WWE Crown Jewel 2018 when The Brothers of Destruction faced D-Generation X.
#2 Brock Lesnar’s WWE future is uncertain
Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract situation has been up in the air several times in recent years. It looked as though The Beast could depart WWE after WrestleMania 31 and WrestleMania 34, but he stayed with the company on both occasions.
Drew McIntyre feuded with Lesnar in WWE’s top storyline heading into WrestleMania 36. Following the event, the Scot went on to cement his status as one of RAW’s top stars. Lesnar, meanwhile, disappeared from WWE programming and he has not yet returned.
It emerged in August 2020 that Lesnar’s merchandise had been removed from WWE Shop. Since then, it has been widely reported that the eight-time World Champion’s WWE contract expired after WrestleMania.
PW Insider’s Mike Johnson wrote that Lesnar is technically a free agent, but that does not necessarily mean his WWE career is over.
“While the two sides have been working on a new deal, they have hit an impasse and have paused discussions. This leaves Lesnar on the open market where he could, if he desires, field offers from outside WWE, whether it be AEW or other wrestling promotions, UFC, or even outside endeavors beyond combat sports.”
Like Jason Jordan, Lesnar is still listed as a current Superstar on WWE’s website.
#1 Ronda Rousey’s WWE future is uncertain
WWE confirmed in January 2019 that Ronda Rousey’s contract with the company is due to expire on April 10, 2021. That information, coupled with the fact that Rousey has not appeared in WWE since April 2019, led to speculation that she might not wrestle again.
The Baddest Woman on the Planet has mostly remained tight-lipped on her WWE future. She was recently pictured training alongside her husband, Travis Browne, and IMPACT star James Storm, prompting more rumors that she could return to WWE.
Paul Heyman worked closely with Rousey during her one-year WWE run. He hinted in an interview with the New York Post in October 2020 that she might have signed a contract extension with WWE.
"Everyone presumes that Ronda Rousey’s contract expires at a certain time. I don’t understand why people don’t realize that perhaps, just perhaps, Ronda Rousey’s contract has been extended or she has worked out a new deal and it would not benefit either WWE or Ronda Rousey to go public with that information. But why wouldn’t people understand that it would be kept secret?”
Rousey’s most recent WWE match came against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 35. The UFC Hall of Famer lost her RAW Women’s Championship to Lynch in the first women’s main event in WrestleMania history.
