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WrestleMania 22: 7 superstars who remain with WWE

By Phillipa Mariee
Modified Apr 03, 2021 02:23 IST
There are several WWE stars who are still in WWE after 15 years
There are several WWE stars who are still in WWE after 15 years

The WWE Universe is currently gearing up for WrestleMania 37 next weekend. The show will be a two-night extravaganza showcasing some of the best wrestlers in the world at present.

While this year's WrestleMania looks like a stacked affair already, 15 years ago today WWE presented WrestleMania 22 live from Chicago, Illinois. The show was main evented by John Cena and Triple H for the WWE Championship over on RAW, and Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, and Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship over on SmackDown.

WrestleMania 22 showcased some of the best WWE matches of all time and included some impressive talent, so 15 years on, how many of these stars remain contracted to WWE?

The following list looks at the seven WWE stars who have stood the test of time, as well as two stars who are also part of this year's WrestleMania.

#7. Mickie James made her WWE WrestleMania debut back in 2006

Mickie James debuted in WWE back in 2005 and was entered into a stalker storyline with Women's Champion Trish Stratus. James was able to push this storyline through until April 2006 when she took on the WWE Hall of Famer at her first WrestleMania event.

James won the Women's Championship at WrestleMania 22 in what was seen as a passing of the torch moment, before going on to win the title four more times in her career.

James was released from WWE back in 2010 and then spent several years working for other companies outside of WWE, including Impact Wrestling. The former champion returned to WWE in 2016 at NXT Takeover: Toronto before signing a contract with the company which has kept her as part of the active roster.

#6. Shelton Benjamin competed in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22

The Money In The Bank Match made its debut at WrestleMania 21. One year later, the second incarnation took place at WrestleMania 22. It was Rob Van Dam who walked out victorious and later sparked the revival of ECW, but he was in a match with some talented WWE stars.

Shelton Benjamin was one of the men who was part of the match and came up short as RVD claimed the prize. Despite being seen as a potential star in WWE at that time, Benjamin was released from WWE back in 2010. He later returned in 2017.

Benjamin has been part of some interesting storylines recently as part of The Hurt Business.

#5. Triple H main evented WWE WrestleMania 22 alongside John Cena

Triple H most recently wrestled Randy Orton on an episode of RAW, which is the first time the former WWE Champion has wrestled in more than a year. The Game is now the main man behind NXT and has transitioned into a backstage role within the company, which has allowed him to pick and choose his matches in recent years.

Things were very different for The King of Kings 15 years ago. Triple H walked into WrestleMania as the challenger for John Cena's WWE Championship, but he was forced to tap to the STFU.

John Cena walked in and out of WrestleMania 22 as the WWE Champion.

#4. Edge took on Mick Foley in a Hardcore match at WrestleMania 22

Edge cashed-in his Money in the Bank contract in early 2006 and was able to win the WWE Championship as part of the first ever cash-in. This wasn't a title that he was able to hold until WrestleMania and Special Guest Referee Mick Foley was the man who took the blame.

At WrestleMania 22, Edge took on Mick Foley in a chaotic Hardcore Match that saw some impressive stunts from both men before The Rated R Superstar came out on top.

Of course, Edge's wrestling career came to an end back in 2011 when the former 11-time world champion was forced to retire due to injury. However, he was able to return in 2020 at the Royal Rumble.

As of writing, Edge is scheduled to take on both Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 37 next weekend.

#3. Rey Mysterio won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22

Rey Mysterio has always been seen as the ultimate underdog inside a WWE ring, but after he was able to win the 2006 Royal Rumble, Mysterio went on to a world title match at WrestleMania.

While Randy Orton interfered throughout the story that year and managed to step into the match as well, Rey Mysterio was still able to walk out of WrestleMania 22 with the World Heavyweight Championship in tow.

Mysterio was part of the emotional storyline surrounding the death of Eddie Guerrero at the time, and this continued following WrestleMania. The former world champion remained with WWE as one of their most popular stars for almost 13 years before requesting his release back in 2015.

Interestingly, Mysterio returned at the 2018 Royal Rumble and at present is part of a storyline alongside his own son Dominik.

#2. Randy Orton wrestled for the world title at WWE WrestleMania 22

Randy Orton wrestled at WWE WrestleMania 22 alongside Rey Mysterio and Kurt Angle. The three men collided for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and it was Rey Mysterio who walked out victorious.

Orton then took some time away from WWE following the show due to a suspension. On this list, he is the only WWE superstar to have remained with the company for the past 15 years and is on the card for both WrestleMania 22 and 37.

Orton has become one of the best wrestlers in the company over the past decade and a half and is now a 14-time world champion, which is on the same level as COO Triple H. Orton's career is still far from over.

Next weekend at WrestleMania 37, The Viper will be fighting The Fiend in a match where the stipulation is yet to be decided, but it is still one of the most anticipated matches on the card.

#1. Bobby Lashley was in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WWE WrestleMania 22

Bobby Lashley is the current WWE Champion and heads into WrestleMania 37 next weekend knowing that he will have to defend his championship against former champion Drew McIntyre.

It was a very different story 15 years ago since Lashley was part of the Money in the Bank ladder match that was won by Rob Van Dam, a star who is going into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

Lashley's WWE career peaked at the time the following year in a storyline with Vince McMahon and Donald Trump at WrestleMania 23. He also played a part in the revival of ECW. The Almighty then went on to make a name for himself in both IMPACT Wrestling and Bellator before returning to WWE in 2018.

Lashley has since been part of some shocking storylines, but they have all led him to the WWE Championship which he will now defend at WrestleMania. The current champion is now just a tag team championship reign away from being a Grand Slam Champion in WWE.

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