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WWE has some of the most well-built professional athletes in the world today. The company’s agents are always on the lookout to sign some of the top wrestlers who can make it big for the company.
While many have managed to leave a mark, others have failed and have been released by the company. However, a few former superstars did not lose hope and continued to train harder to either try their luck elsewhere or make a return to the company.
In this article, let's look at 7 current and former WWE Superstars who had incredible body transformations after leaving the company.
#7 Big Cass
Big Cass joined WWE in 2011, and it looked like the superstar had a great career ahead of him. He teamed up with Enzo Amore in NXT, and the two stayed together for most of their WWE careers.
Cass’s height and build helped him get noticed in the company, and it seemed like Vince McMahon would be tempted to push the giant at some point. However, Cass could not get ahead and was released by WWE in 2018.
Cass later revealed that depression and bad drinking habits got the better of him. It also led to him losing control of his body, and he ended up gaining a lot of weight:
“I don’t know how I’m alive today. The amount I was drinking, and the food I was putting into my body was ridiculous. No physical activity. Chain smoking cigarettes. When you’re making mistakes like that, you gotta go. [WWE] had every right in the world to get rid of me. Going into the [House of Hardcore] show, I literally had not slept in two days. Don’t remember walking through the curtain or going to the autograph table. [I] came to in the ambulance. I remember they told me I had a seizure. I took that as a sign from God. God spoke to me that day and was saying, ‘If you wanna live this life, you’re gonna end up dead.’ I could have died that night. That’s what I was told in the ER.”
Cass returned looking much fitter compared to his days in WWE
Following his departure from WWE, Cass started working on himself again while working on the independent circuit. On April 25, 2021, at Rebellion, he made his Impact Wrestling debut as the surprise replacement for Eric Young.
He was in much better shape and looked like a main eventer for the first time in years. Cass decided to make a positive change in his life after his WWE departure and suffering a seizure, and it has helped him move in the right direction.
#6 Adam Rose
WWE signed South African-born Adam Rose in early 2010. Rose had competed on the independent circuit for several years before his WWE signing, and he started working on becoming a top star in the company.
After running through several gimmicks, WWE handed him the 'Party Animal' gimmick where he would come out with his 'Rosebuds' to compete in matches.
While some of his Rosebuds went on to become more successful than him in the company, he did not get over on the main roster.
Rose made changes to his lifestyle after his WWE release
After competing as an enhancement talent for some time in WWE, he asked for his release in 2016. Since then, Rose has worked more on himself and decided to bulk up. During a recent interview, Rose revealed his current weight and what led to his downfall in the company:
"258lbs and growing. Maybe time for that diet, nah its a bulking year, retired and finishing up dates. That is all.
"Before coming to the WWE I weighed 236lbs. When I performed as Leo Kruger [in FCW] my weight was around 225lbs. When I made the transition to Adam Rose, I was asked to refrain from weight training, so the character would not look like a pro wrestler at all.
"I weight train religiously and eat food again, probably too much food, but I enjoy it so I'm not gonna stop."
Rose looks like a true wrestler now and could have done so much more had he worked on building such a physique during his time in WWE.
Rose has competed in a few matches on the independent circuit since his WWE release, and still seems to have a few more years of wrestling left in him.
#5 Vladimir Kozlov
Vladimir Kozlov was last seen in WWE almost a decade ago. He joined the company in 2006 and worked his way up the developmental circuit.
The superstar had some good rivalries during his time in the company and even got a few world championship opportunities. However, his most notable work came in a tag team with Santino Marella. The two superstars won the WWE Tag Team Championships together.
While Kozlov looked like the perfect heel, he never got a run with any of the company’s singles titles.
After leaving WWE in 2011, Koslov decided to put his wrestling career behind him. Instead, he decided to move into the acting world and started working as a stunt double and extra in Hollywood.
Koslov has featured in several blockbuster movies such as Wolf Warriors 2 and Marvel’s series The Punisher. He has also served as a Stuntman for John Wick 2 and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Fast & Furious 6-8.
Kozlov could have made it big in WWE with his current physique
Kozlov is in much better shape now than he was during his time in WWE. He has leaned out over the years and looks more like a wrestler today than he did during his time in the company.
The former WWE Superstar recently joined Impact Wrestling as a Russian-language commentator. His debut at the 2021 Rebellion event was his first wrestling appearance in eight years.
#4 Eva Marie
Eva Marie walked into WWE in 2013 and started training to become a sports entertainer. Marie made her main roster debut soon after and started to gain some popularity. Marie had the looks to become a top star for the company even though she wasn’t the best in the ring.
Brian Kendrick was given the responsibility of training her in 2015 after she failed to take off in the women’s division. She returned for WWE’s NXT brand and competed there for some time before moving back to the main roster. After some time, Marie was released by WWE.
Eva Marie returned to WWE looking even better
After she departed from the company, Marie started working on her looks and physique even more. The superstar also launched the NEM Fit program on her website for others to work on their bodies. She revealed the following about taking care of herself:
“I've always placed a high priority on my health & fitness. As a former WWE superstar, actress and model, being in the public eye for years, I've had to learn the ropes of getting fit & staying fit in a sustainable way.
"Training consistently over the years has taught me how to not only take care of my body in order to look and feel my best, but also to be accountable & show up for myself consistently.”
Marie returned to WWE earlier this year and seems to be in the best shape of her life.
#3 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre joined WWE in 2007 and was dubbed 'The Chosen One' by Vince McMahon. Standing at 6ft 5in, McIntyre had the looks and skills to make it big in the company. However, he did not manage to make a big impact and started working as an enhancement talent.
WWE released him from his contract in 2014, after which he started working on the independent circuit and for other promotions. During that time, McIntyre started working on his physique and managed to get in great shape.
Drew McIntyre has become the posterboy for WWE
McIntyre bulked up and became leaner during his time away from the company. His transformation helped him get more opportunities.
McIntyre’s new look helped him become the top champion of other promotions before he made his way back to WWE in 2017. Upon his return, he started working his way up from NXT where he went on to become the NXT Champion.
It took McIntyre some time to reach the world championship scene on the main roster, but he has remained part of it since 2020. Over the years, The Scottish Warrior has had an incredible transformation journey.
The Scottish Superstar is one of the most well-built wrestlers in WWE today. This has helped him turn his fortunes around and become the poster boy of the company.
#2 Edge
Edge’s WWE career came to a tragic end in 2011 as he was forced to retire from the ring. The superstar struggled with Cervical Spinal Stenosis and doctors warned him that one more bump could paralyze him.
It did not take WWE long to induct The Rated-R Superstar into its Hall of Fame, and it looked like Edge would never compete in a wrestling ring again.
After stepping away from the ring, Edge took up acting and also ran a podcast to continue working. He underwent a couple more surgeries and did not stop training afterward.
The Rated-R Superstar has taken WWE by storm since his return
In 2020, the WWE Superstar made a miraculous return to the company during the Royal Rumble. After making it to the final three of the match, it was evident that he was in top shape.
Edge’s incredible physical transformation came during his time away from WWE. He was in good shape before 2011, but he came back looking even better nearly ten years later.
The Rated-R Superstar is still in incredible shape and has competed in some long matches to prove that he still has some gas left in the tank. Will Edge win another world championship in WWE before calling it quits?
#1 Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is one of the biggest names WWE has ever produced. Over the years, fans have learned about The Rock’s incredible journey from rags to riches. The superstar worked hard to reach the top of WWE and took over the entertainment industry from there onwards.
It’s no secret that The Rock was in top shape during his days in WWE. In fact, he was one of the fittest members of the WWE locker room in the 2000s. His incredible physique allowed him to earn a lot more fans and helped him win several championships in WWE.
The Rock decided to make a big decision and became a full-time actor post-2004. He started bulking up for his roles and ended up becoming one of the largest action heroes on television.
Dwayne Johnson has had one of the most incredible transformations since his days in WWE
The Rock transformed into a massive bodybuilder after leaving WWE and has continued to inspire many youngsters to switch to a healthier lifestyle. He currently weighs over 260lbs and has put on a lot of lean muscle. His physique and work have helped him become one of the highest-paid actors in the world.
While the superstar has continued to make sporadic appearances in WWE, his heart now belongs to Hollywood. Will The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment decide to return for a final run in the company?
