Nia Jax and 4 recently-released WWE Superstars who don't want to return

Several superstars have been released from WWE since 2020. 2021 saw a record number of superstars being released from the company, with the reasons always cited as "budget cuts".

Vince McMahon's promotion continues to make record revenue and profits despite this, and whether you agree with their approach or not, it's hard not to sympathize with superstars.

While some got released when they were seeking an exit, the firings came abruptly for a lot of superstars. Some names such as Malakai Black, Ember Moon, etc. have expressed interest in returning in the future, but some seem to be done with the company for good.

Here are five superstars who don't want to return to WWE anytime soon:

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#5. Nia Jax: Is her wrestling career over post-WWE?

Nia Jax has become something of a controversial figure among WWE fans. While she attained a good level of popularity in 2018, it also happened to be the same year where she gained a reputation for injuring people.

It just so happened by circumstance and luck that injuring Becky Lynch was ultimately what led to the latter headlining WrestleMania, but the same story can't be said about the other women she has injured.

While she has only claimed to have injured two women while wrestling (one of them being Lynch), fans have disputed her claim with numerous visible instances of her injuring a fellow wrestler.

Jax gained even more detractors in late 2020 when the announcement of the COVID-19 vaccine was made. She claimed that her body's immunity was sufficient and that she didn't need a vaccine, which drew the ire of several WWE fans.

To date, Nia Jax hasn't been vaccinated It remains unclear as to whether this was the reason for her firing, although Jax claimed at first that she was "never" told anything about her COVID-19 vaccination status by the company.

Instead, she stated that the reason for her release was that she asked for an extension of her leaves so she could continue to take a mental health break.

Interestingly, in Nia Jax's first official interview post-release, she told Renee Paquette on her podcast that she had a conversation with Vince McMahon and informed him that she wouldn't be getting vaccinated as she never caught COVID-19 despite having daily tests done:

"And it was like ‘well kid, you’re not going to be able to fulfill some of your contractual duties.’ And I was like ‘well if that’s the case, then that’s the case.’ It’s a business and I understand you’ve got to run your business. But I made a decision for myself, and I stood by how I felt," said Jax. (H/T WrestlingInc)

Ultimately, Jax said that she is doubtful of ever returning to wrestling again, so that may put to rest any rumors of her returning to WWE.

She also confirmed that she declined a spot in the Women's Royal Rumble match, but laughed because she was still in her 90-day non-compete clause, meaning that WWE had to pay her regardless of whether she entered or not.

#4. Matt Cardona: A return to WWE is out of the question

Matt Cardona has entered an entirely different phase of his wrestling career post-WWE. Having spent over a decade with the company, Cardona, then known as Zack Ryder, was sometimes mocked for being a superstar who was simply happy to have a job.

He was never utilized well for an extended stretch, and all the glory that he experienced were momentary or short-lived. Cardona hasn't spoken badly about his previous employer, but he likely didn't realize that a whole new door opened up when he was released.

With a few AEW appearances, Cardona launched himself into the independent scene, where he has discovered a new character and side to himself - one that he was never allowed to show in WWE. He is now considered one of the hottest wrestlers on the independent scene, and he has labeled his extensive tenure with his previous employer as "his developmental".

He is turning 37 years old this year, and is in great physical shape. Given that Matt Cardona wasn't a high-flyer or the biggest risk-taker in the ring, he has plenty of years to capitalize on in the newest phase of his career.

While Cardona seemingly said he would agree to being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame this year, he told the Wrestling Daily podcast that returning to the company for another run is "out of the question".

#3. Taya Valkyrie - Possibly burned the bridge with WWE

Taya Valkyrie has every right to be angry with WWE given how things played out for her. But she didn't lash out at the company as much when she got released as she did when her husband John Morrison did.

Known as Franky Monet in NXT, Valkyrie's run with Vince McMahon's promotion lasted a measly nine months before she was let go. She seemed to fall under the category of superstars who were towards an older age, even though 38 isn't that old by wrestling standards anymore.

Admittedly, women seem to have a bigger age cut-off than men do, but it was unfortunate that an established talent like Valkyrie was let go as abruptly as she was. Not too long after, her husband John Morrison was let go.

There was hardly a two-week gap between their releases, and after the veteran's second run with the company was over, Taya Valkyrie told fans to stop supporting companies that don't care about their talent.

It's safe to say that she won't have much of a relationship with her former employer going forward.

#2. Killer Kross - Wouldn't return under the same circumstances

Killer Kross is an example of a massive potential WWE talent wasted. He certainly didn't leave on bad terms, and he didn't share a bad relationship with Vince McMahon either. However, there was a very clear downfall when he transitioned into the main roster.

Whatever work had been done in NXT to make him look like a threat was undone quickly, as he didn't even have Scarlett Bordeaux by his side. Kross was unfortunately released by WWE late last year.

He hasn't fully turned down the idea of a return in the future, but he admitted that it wouldn't be under the same circumstances. Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Kross said:

“I wouldn’t be surprised [if I returned]," said Killer Kross. "I respectfully wouldn’t go back in the same circumstances. Out of a logical standpoint, I definitely think I would be interested in [having] a lot more certainty about things.”

Among everyone on this list, the former NXT Champion is perhaps the most open to returning. However, given that the company can't provide the guarantees that he wants creatively, he will be fine with not returning anytime soon.

#1. Jeff Hardy - Refused a WWE return and Hall of Fame induction

Thankfully, Jeff Hardy seems to be doing great after his WWE release. It all happened because of confusion and miscommunication. While several fans sided with WWE assuming that Hardy had relapsed, his brother Matt revealed that the company jumped the gun without even a conclusive drug test.

They seemed certain that his drug test would come back negative, and one that he took outside did, in fact, come back negative.

It seems as though his previous employer knew they jumped the gun, and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Jeff Hardy was offered a return and an induction into the 2022 Hall of Fame class. Hardy declined and asked for his drug test results instead:

''Here is an update on Jeff Hardy. John Laurinaitis called Jeff Hardy to get him back a few weeks ago, including an offer to put him in the 2022 Hall of Fame class. Hardy turned it down and asked for his drug test results because he knew he wasn’t going to test positive for recreational drugs. It took Hardy and his wife six weeks to get the results back."

The Charismatic Enigma got the last laugh and seems to be having a great time outside of the hectic wrestling schedule. It's clear that he doesn't want to return, not unless he is apolgized to for what happened.