Many talented wrestlers have found themselves stuck in WWEโs mid-card despite having all the tools to succeed. However, leaving WWE opened new doors for these 13 performers, allowing them to rise to the top of other promotions. From world championship reigns to becoming the face of major companies, these wrestlers proved that sometimes, the best move was to leave WWE behind!
1. Bubba Ray Dudley: From Tag Team Specialist to World Champion
Bubba Ray Dudley found singles stardom in TNA as Bully Ray, where he captured the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Photo Credit WWE, TNA Wrestling.
While Bubba Ray Dudley achieved significant success in WWE as part of the Dudley Boyz tag team, winning 8 World Tag Team Championships between 2000 and 2005, Bubba Ray never reached main event status as a singles competitor in the company.
In WWE, Bubba Ray’s highest individual accolade was the Hardcore Championship, which he won 10 times between 2000 and 2002.
After leaving WWE in 2005, Bubba Ray (now known as Bully Ray) signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, later Impact Wrestling) alongside his tag team partner D-Von. It was here that he truly came into his own as a singles performer. His transformation began in 2010 when he turned heel and adopted a more aggressive persona.
In 2012, Bubba Ray ascended to the main event status in TNA as the top heel of the company. He headlined numerous pay-per-views and engaged in high-profile feuds, culminating in two reigns as TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
His first reign began on March 10th, 2013, at Lockdown, where he defeated Jeff Hardy in a steel cage match.
He would later capture the title for a second time on June 2nd, 2013, at Slammiversary XI, defeating Sting.
Bubba Ray’s main event run in TNA/Impact Wrestling showcased his ability to carry a promotion as its top star. He became known for his intense promos, physical in-ring style, and ability to generate genuine heat from the audience.
In recent years, Bubba Ray has continued to make sporadic appearances in various promotions, including a brief return to WWE in 2015-2016 and a stint in Ring of Honor from 2017-2019.
2. Drew McIntyre: The Scottish Warrior’s Resurgence
Drew McIntyre became a two-time WWE Champion after revamping his career outside WWE. Photo Credit: WWE, ICW.
Drew McIntyre was given the nickname “The Chosen One” by Vince McMahon when he made his debut on the WWE main roster in 2009. He won the Intercontinental Championship that year but later would be relegated to a tag team role in the 3MB stable with Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater.
After being released from WWE in 2014, McIntyre rebranded himself on the independent circuit and became a two-time Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) World Heavyweight Champion. His first reign began on February 11th, 2016, and his second on November 20th, 2016. He also won the Evolve Championship on November 26th, 2016.
In 2015, McIntyre signed with Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA) and won the Impact World Championship on February 12th, 2017, and the Impact Grand Championship on August 20th, 2017.
McIntyre returned to WWE in 2017 and made a name for himself in NXT. After moving back to the main roster, he became a two-time WWE Champion, with his first reign starting at WrestleMania 36 on April 5th, 2020.
McIntyreโs journey proved that leaving WWE allowed him to grow into a main-event star.
3. Christian Cage: Captain Charisma’s Late-Career Renaissance
Christian, now known as Christian Cage, rose to new heights outside of WWE. Photo Credit: WWE, TNA.
During Christianโs initial WWE run, he was Edge’s tag team partner and a solid mid-card performer. Despite multiple Intercontinental Championship reigns, his first win on September 23rd, 2001, Christian struggled to consistently break into WWE’s main event scene.
After leaving WWE in 2005, Christian joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he adopted the ring name Christian Cage.
While in TNA, he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship twice, with his first reign beginning on February 12th, 2006, at Against All Odds and his second on January 14th, 2007, at Final Resolution.
Christian returned to WWE in 2009, where he became a two-time ECW Champion and later captured the World Heavyweight Championship twice, starting with his reign on May 1st, 2011, at Extreme Rules.
He would retire in 2014 due to concussion issues but made a surprising return in 2021, signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). In AEW, Christian Cage won the Impact World Championship on August 13th, 2021, and the AEW TNT Championship on September 4th, 2023.
Christian Cage’s late-career resurgence in AEW has highlighted some of the best work of his career.
4. Matt Hardy: Broken Brilliance Outside WWE
Matt Hardyโs "Broken" persona brought him to world championship success in TNA. Photo Credit: WWE, TNA.
Matt Hardy, one half of the Hardy Boyz, struggled to maintain main event status as a singles competitor in WWE. Despite winning the ECW Championship on June 7th, 2008, and the United States Championship on April 5th, 2009, Hardy was often overshadowed by his brother Jeff.
After leaving WWE in 2010, Hardy had a brief stint in TNA Wrestling before returning to WWE in 2011. However, it was his second departure in 2014 that sparked his career resurgence. Hardy returned to TNA (Impact Wrestling) in 2014, where he underwent a dramatic transformation, creating the “Broken” persona in 2016.
As “Broken” Matt Hardy, he captured the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice, with his first reign starting on October 2nd, 2016, at Bound for Glory, and his second on January 5th, 2017, during the Genesis special.
Hardy’s “Broken Universe” storylines, including the “Final Deletion” match, garnered widespread attention, showcasing how creative freedom and reinvention led him to main event status in Impact Wrestling.
With hundreds of amazing Pro Wrestling Stories to dive into, where do you start? Get the inside scoop โ join our exclusive community of wrestling fans! Receive 10 hand-picked stories curated just for YOU, exclusive weekly content, and an instant welcome gift when you sign up today!
5. John Morrison: His Path to Global Success
John Morrison thrived in multiple promotions outside of WWE, becoming a world champion in Lucha Underground, TNA Wrestling, and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Photo Credit: WWE, AAA.
John Morrison, known for his athleticism and unique style, was a solid mid-carder in WWE. He won the ECW Championship on June 24th, 2007, and held the Intercontinental Championship three times, starting on September 1st, 2009.
Despite these achievements, Morrison struggled to reach the main event scene in WWE. After leaving the company in November 2011, he sought opportunities elsewhere.
Morrison achieved success in multiple promotions. In Lucha Underground, under the name Johnny Mundo, he became a triple crown champion, winning the Lucha Underground Championship, the Gift of the Gods Championship, and the Trios Championship between 2015 and 2016.
He continued his rise in Impact Wrestling, performing as Johnny Impact and winning the Impact World Championship on October 14th, 2018. Morrison also found success in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, capturing the AAA Mega Championship on October 28th, 2017.
Morrison’s success across different promotions demonstrated his adaptability and ability to thrive as a top star, showing that leaving WWE can open doors to main event opportunities.
6. EC3: The Top One Percent Rises Beyond WWE
EC3 rose from WWE mid-carder to top star with two TNA World Championship reigns and most recently captured the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in 2023. Photo Credit: WWE, NWA.
EC3 struggled to find his footing in WWE during his first run as Derrick Bateman, leading to his release in May 2013.
However, EC3 flourished in TNA/Impact Wrestling, debuting in October 2013. He quickly rose to the main event, capturing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twiceโhis first reign beginning on July 1st, 2015, at Slammiversary, and his second on October 4th, 2016. He also won the Impact Grand Championship and the TNA World Title Series in 2016.
After a return to WWE in 2018 that didn’t live up to expectations, EC3 was released again in 2020.
EC3 then joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he reached new heights. On August 27th, 2023, at NWA 75, he defeated Tyrus to win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, cementing his position as a top-tier performer outside WWE.
7. Adrian Neville (aka PAC): Wrestling Stardom Post-WWE
PAC (formerly known as Adrian Neville) reinvented himself as a dominant force in AEW after leaving WWE. Photo Credit: WWE, AEW.
Known as Neville in WWE, PAC’s high-flying style and athleticism earned him acclaim, especially during his time in NXT, where he became NXT Champion on February 27th, 2014. However, his main roster run was underwhelming, despite two Cruiserweight Championship reigns, starting on March 5th, 2017.
Frustrated with his position, PAC requested his release and was granted it in August 2018. He quickly returned to Dragon Gate and won the Open the Dream Gate Championship on December 23rd, 2018.
PAC’s career reached new heights in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), debuting on May 25th, 2019, at Double or Nothing. On September 5th, 2022, at All Out, PAC became the inaugural AEW All-Atlantic Champion, followed by a World Trios Championship win with Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo on September 4th, 2022. This made PAC the first double champion in AEW, proving his main event status outside WWE.
8. Trevor Murdoch: From WWE Tag Team to NWA World Champion
Trevor Murdoch transitioned from WWE tag team specialist to NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Photo Credit: WWE, NWA.
Trevor Murdoch’s journey from WWE mid-carder to NWA World Champion highlights perseverance and reinvention. During his WWE tenure from 2005 to 2008, Murdoch was best known as the tag team partner of Lance Cade. Together, they captured the World Tag Team Championship three times, starting on September 5th, 2005, after defeating Hurricane and Rosey.
Despite his success in the tag division, WWE never fully utilized Murdoch’s singles potential. His rugged, old-school style was often overshadowed by flashier talent, leading to his release on July 3rd, 2008, without getting a meaningful singles run.
After WWE, Murdoch wrestled on the independent circuit, retiring briefly in 2018. In 2019, he returned to wrestling, signing with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). On October 24th, 2020, Murdoch defeated Aron Stevens to capture the NWA National Heavyweight Championship, marking his first major singles title.
Murdoch’s career-defining moment came on August 29th, 2021, at NWA 73, where he defeated Nick Aldis to win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. This win solidified Murdoch as a top star and validated his years of dedication to the craft.
During his reign, Murdoch successfully defended his title against challengers like Aldis, Matt Cardona, and Tyrus, proving himself as NWA’s top star. His old-school persona resonated with fans, who appreciated his no-nonsense style.
Murdoch eventually lost the title to Tyrus on June 11th, 2023, at NWA Alwayz Ready, ending his 283-day reign.
Trevor Murdoch’s success in the NWA shows that the right platform and opportunity can unlock a wrestler’s full potential, especially outside the confines of a major promotion like WWE.
9. Matt Cardona: Reinvention on the Independent Circuit
Matt Cardona became an indie wrestling star, winning major titles after his WWE release. Photo Credit: WWE, TNA.
Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder in WWE, is a prime example of a wrestler who reinvented himself after leaving the company. In WWE, his biggest singles achievement came at WrestleMania 32, where he won the Intercontinental Championship on April 3rd, 2016. Despite his popularity and innovative use of social media, Cardona remained in the mid-card throughout much of his WWE career.
After being released from WWE on April 15th, 2020, Cardona transformed his career on the independent circuit, becoming one of the most talked-about names outside major promotions. Though he briefly appeared in AEW in July 2020, it was in various independent promotions where he truly showcased his potential as a main event star.
Cardona found success in Impact/TNA Wrestling, capturing the Impact Digital Media Championship on February 24th, 2022. He also won the prestigious NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship on February 12th, 2022, at the NWA PowerrrTrip event.
One of his most notable achievements came in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he won the GCW World Championship on July 24th, 2021, at GCW Homecoming. His reign as GCW World Champion was significant, establishing him as a top heel on the independent circuit. He embraced the “Deathmatch King” persona, a departure from his WWE character, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
Cardona also found tag team success alongside Chelsea Green, capturing the Impact World Tag Team Championship on January 8th, 2022. By the end of September 2023, Cardona held nine championships across various promotions, further solidifying his status as one of the most successful and versatile performers on the independent scene.
10. Cesaro (aka Claudio Castagnoli): Main-Event Push Outside WWE
Claudio Castagnoli (known as Cesaro in WWE) reached world champion status after his WWE departure. Photo Credit: WWE, Ring of Honor/AEW.
Claudio Castagnoli, known as Cesaro in WWE, was widely regarded as one of the most underrated wrestlers in the company. Despite his exceptional strength, technical skills, and in-ring ability, he was primarily used in mid-card and tag team roles. His biggest singles achievement in WWE came when he won the United States Championship on August 19th, 2012, at SummerSlam.
Castagnoli left WWE in February 2022 and signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), debuting on June 26th, 2022, at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door. He immediately aligned with the Blackpool Combat Club alongside Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and Wheeler Yuta.
In AEW, Castagnoli quickly made an impact, winning the ROH World Championship on July 23rd, 2022, at Death Before Dishonor. This marked his first world title in a major promotion, solidifying his status as a top star.
Castagnoli also won the AEW World Trios Championship with Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta on September 6th, 2022, at All Out, showcasing his versatility in both singles and tag team competition.
11. Mr. Kennedy (aka Mr. Anderson): Announcing His Way to the Top Outside of WWE
Mr. Kennedy found main-event success in TNA as Mr. Anderson after his stint in WWE. Photo Credit: WWE, TNA.
Mr. Kennedy stood out in WWE for his charisma and unique microphone entrance, where he would introduce himself from a microphone lowered from the ceiling. However, his WWE run faced obstacles, including injuries and backstage issues, leading to his release on May 29th, 2009.
Kennedy’s highest achievement in WWE was winning the United States Championship on September 1st, 2006. He also won the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2007 but was unable to break into the world championship scene.
After leaving WWE, Kennedy signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in January 2010, debuting as Mr. Anderson. In TNA, he achieved world championship success, defeating Jeff Hardy on January 9th, 2011, at Genesis to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Anderson’s first reign was brief, as he lost the title to Jeff Hardy on February 13th, 2011, at Against All Odds. However, Anderson regained the championship on June 12th, 2011, at Slammiversary IX.
Anderson’s time in TNA allowed him to work with top stars like Kurt Angle, Sting, and Bully Ray, showcasing his promo skills and character work that had been underutilized in WWE.
12. Tyrus: From Funkasaurus to World Champion
Tyrus evolved from WWEโs Funkasaurus to NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Photo Credit: WWE, NWA.
Known as Brodus Clay in WWE, Tyrus started as a mid-card attraction with his “Funkasaurus” gimmick, primarily used as a comedic character. His WWE career began in the fourth season of NXT, where he finished as the runner-up. On the main roster, Clay debuted as Alberto Del Rio’s bodyguard before transitioning to the “Funkasaurus” persona in January 2012.
Despite his entertainment value, Clay never won a championship in WWE and was primarily remembered for his entrances and dance routines. He was released from WWE on June 12th, 2014, without achieving significant singles success.
After leaving WWE, Tyrus reinvented himself in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), signing with the promotion in 2021. On November 12th, 2022, at NWA Hard Times 3, he reached the pinnacle of his career by defeating Trevor Murdoch and Matt Cardona in a three-way match to capture the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.
Tyrus’ reign as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion lasted until August 27th, 2023, when he lost the title to EC3 at the NWA 75th Anniversary Show. Following this defeat, Tyrus announced his retirement from professional wrestling, closing out his in-ring career as a former world champion.
13. Cody Rhodes: WWE Exit to Main Event Superstar
Cody Rhodes went from WWE mid-card to winning multiple world heavyweight championships outside of WWE, including the NWA World Championship, leading to his eventual rise in WWE as a WrestleMania main-eventer and world champion. Photo Credit: WWE, NWA.
Cody Rhodes was primarily positioned as a mid-card talent during his first WWE run. Despite a successful reign as Intercontinental Champion starting on June 23rd, 2013, he struggled to break into the main event scene. His repackaging as Stardust in 2014 further hindered his ascent, and he ultimately left WWE on May 21st, 2016.
Upon leaving WWE, Rhodes embarked on a career-defining journey, signing with Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he quickly rose to the top. On June 23rd, 2017, he captured the ROH World Championship at Best in the World, and on July 7th, 2018, he won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at NJPW’s G1 Special in San Francisco.
Rhodes’ career reached new heights when he became instrumental in the creation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), serving as both an in-ring performer and an Executive Vice President. During his AEW tenure, he won the TNT Championship three times, with his first reign beginning on August 22nd, 2020.
In a major twist, Rhodes returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38 on April 2nd, 2022. His return was met with great fanfare, and he quickly established himself as a top star. His perseverance paid off when, on April 7th, 2024, at WrestleMania 40, he defeated Roman Reigns to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Rhodes’ journey from WWE mid-carder to main-event superstar is a testament to his determination and vision. In reflecting on his decision to leave WWE and how it shaped his career, Rhodes provided valuable insight in an interview with Metro in 2017:
“I had seen a lot of people who had been released from WWE, or asked for their release, and gone out into the wild unknown. There’s more cases of it being unsuccessful than successful.”
He continued, “I knew I was unhappy in my heart at the end in WWE, and I had time to plan even though I knew it was going to be hard. That time to plan is what made the difference, and I invested in myself as a talent from the ground up.”
Rhodes’ strategic approach to his post-WWE career played a crucial role in his success. He further elaborated on his mindset.
“When I wasn’t wrestling I got back into school a little bit. In Dallas there was VIP Wrestling, and in Atlanta, AR Fox has a great school, so it’s good to get back in there and continue to learn. As a team we have all been about what happens the next day. Yes it’s absolutely the coolest thing ever to win the world title, but now tell me what we’re doing tomorrow.”
This forward-thinking attitude and commitment to continuous improvement helped Rhodes transform from a mid-card talent to a world-renowned superstar, ultimately leading to his triumphant return to WWE and his crowning achievement as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 40.
Conclusion: The Power of Reinvention in Professional Wrestling
From capturing world titles to leading major promotions, these 13 wrestlers, including Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder), Cody Rhodes (fka Stardust), and Bully Ray (fka Bubba Ray Dudley), proved that leaving WWE was the key to their success! Photo Credit: WWE.
Leaving WWE can be daunting, but for these 13 wrestlers, it was the key to unlocking their full potential.
Each story above highlighted the power of reinvention and taking risks, leading them to world titles and main-event success in other major promotions.
Whether through character transformations, embracing creative freedom, or finding the right promotion, these wrestlers proved that leaving WWE can open new doors to greatness.
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our team of authors!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy!