11 Superstars who will never leave WWE
WWE constantly changes, be it the match types, pay-per-views and more importantly, the new signings and exits from the company. Some superstars have short spells, leaving the company for more TV time or to have a less arduous schedule.
There are some though who may stay in the Vince McMahon promotion for the long haul, shunning promotions like AEW and Impact. These Superstars could have a backstage or an ambassadorial role following their retirement from in-ring competition.
Here, we take a look at 11 Superstars who will never leave WWE:
#11 AJ Styles
@AJStylesOrg Wants To Retire In #WWE. https://t.co/UzhfShuBHc
A few years back, AJ Styles working in WWE, let alone retiring in the promotion, was a crazy thought. The Phenomenal One was the face of TNA and was making waves with The Bullet Club in NJPW after his legendary run with now-IMPACT Wrestling.
When he made his debut at the 2016 edition of Royal Rumble, fans were worried about how Vince McMahon would treat someone from WWE's biggest rival promotion after WCW. Safe to say, Styles has won over Vince McMahon and has already carved out a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
The Phenomenal One has stated that he would love to retire from wrestling in WWE if he is allowed to:
"It was easy. I want to be here, this is the place for me," AJ Styles revealed. "If they let me I will retire here, I hope to work in WWE in some capacity when I retire. I enjoy what I do."
Given his excellence in wrestling, Styles would certainly make a good coach for the promotion once he retires.
#10 Natalya
Natalya appreciation day thread part 1 (Natalyas greatest moments) https://t.co/0bUWF3HfSl
Natalya has been an important figure in the women's revolution in WWE. The former SmackDown Women's Champion may not have won a lot of titles - with the Divas Championship the only other singles title she has won, but she has helped the women transition from the Divas era to their current position in the company. She was also a part of the first-ever televised women's match in Saudi Arabia, where she got in the ring with Lacey Evans.
Having been in the company for over a decade, and wrestling with almost every woman on RAW and SmackDown, she could call time on her career soon, and not move to other promotions, given that she has a great relationship with Vince McMahon:
"In the last week Iโve spoken to him (Vince McMahon) and communicated with him. Heโs been wonderful. Heโs always as crazy as it gets. And as crazy as his schedule gets because heโs running so many things? He is so accessible, he is so accessible for us if we really need him. Heโs been there for me through the best and worst times in my life." (H/T WrestlingHeadlines)
Natalya has put on fantastic matches and is a superstar who has helped younger, less experienced superstars in the ring to deliver a good show. There's a strong possibility that she, like her husband Tyson Kidd, could become a full-time producer backstage.
#9 R-Truth
You heard the boss...
DANCE BREAK! #SD1000 @VinceMcMahon @shanemcmahon @StephMcMahon @RonKillings @CarmellaWWE https://t.co/oDBHaDVP8f
R-Truth has had ups and downs in his personal and professional life and has done ever so well to be the superstar he is now. The veteran superstar had his run-ins with the law in his younger years but got his big break in WWE in early 2000s.
After a run with TNA/Impact, he returned to WWE in 2008 and has been with the company since. Truth is still in great shape, while his comedic timing is the best it has ever been. He, too, has achieved a lot in his pro wrestling career and will most likely stick with the wrestling behemoth even after his retirement from in-ring competition.
WrestlingNews revealed how McMahon genuinely loves R-Truth and a source said that Truth could have a "job for life" in the promotion:
โEveryone loves Ron but Vince really loves the guy because he is up for everything. Sometimes Vince can tell when someone is not into what they are doing because itโs silly or whatever. You never see that with Ron and Vince loves that. I think Ron will have a job for life here if he wants it.โ
Vince McMahon values R-Truth and what he brings to the table, and the two also have a good friendship. Truth could become an ambassador for the promotion after his retirement, and perhaps even have some screen time.
#8 Randy Orton
Randy Orton is a future Hall of Famer, having been an integral part of the company over the last two decades and having numerous memorable moments. Orton has surpassed the achievements of his father, Hall of Famer, Bob Orton Jr., and has carved a legacy for himself.
Orton recently signed a five-year deal with the company, with serious interest from AEW as well. But The Viper decided to stick with WWE as AEW's offer was lesser . There's a feeling among many that Orton seemingly engaged in discussions with All Elite Wrestling only to get a better offer from Vince McMahon and team.
Orton is in the latter stages of his career and recently revealed in an interview with Sportskeeda's Riju Dasgupta, that he will retire at 50 years of age - 10 years from now (can be seen above).
Despite flirting with the possibility of joining AEW, Orton is WWE through and through, and he won't want to switch companies in his late 40s. Vince will do everything in his power to keep hold of Orton, who is one of the biggest assets for the company.
#7 WWE Hall of Famer Edge
I still get goosebumps from Edge's return at the last #RoyalRumble. It's crazy to think that this wasn't even a full year ago. https://t.co/B0Khb9f0kr #WWE
Edge, like Randy Orton, reportedly had discussions with AEW about possibly turning up for them. But the Rated-R Superstar believed that it wouldn't be right to join the rival promotion without talking to Vince McMahon, who had trusted him and given him the chance earlier in his career.
Edge said he spoke to the former Chairman and said that he did not want to begin a bidding war between the two promotions:
"Some discussions were had. The one thing that I told them through all of this is: when you give me your offer, I need to go talk to Vince. He's done right by me my entire career. He gave me my chance, he gave me my shot. Trusted me to be able to pull off a lot of things, be a pillar for his shows. To be counted on as one of his generals, that goes a long way with me.
It's quite clear that Edge sees WWE as his first home, the company that had given him this glorious career. With him being afforded the opportunity to return to the ring, he will most likely stick to the promotion even after he retires for the second time, as he has a close bond with the company.
#6 Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair appreciation post https://t.co/MtMzVY1M07
Charlotte Flair has an envious legacy, being at the forefront of the women's evolution in WWE. Flair has added great prestige and value to the women's division, thanks to her athleticism, her charisma, and her good skills on the mic.
Charlotte has a job for life in the company as she is a superstar that adds so much to the WWE brand, which also includes the Flair brand name. She is also a homegrown product, having worked her way through FCW and NXT to make it to the main roster. That is something that adds more to her overall package, and it's quite clear that the McMahons love her, going by how she has been front, left, and center of the promotion over the last few years.
#5 Becky Lynch
A Becky Lynch appreciation tweet. ๐ฅฐ https://t.co/ihtyfHVFDe
Becky Lynch has had a rollercoaster of a pro wrestling career. After stepping away from the ring for years, Lynch tried out for WWE in 2013 and was hired, joining NXT. She moved to the main roster in 2015 and became an important part of the growth of the women's division in RAW and SmackDown.
After a promising start, her career was in a stagnant state, before she turned things around when she developed "The Man" gimmick, which pushed her not just to the top of the women's division, but the entire wrestling industry.
Lynch headlined WrestleMania and held the RAW Women's Championship for over a year before relinquishing it after she revealed that she was pregnant. She, like Charlotte, has developed and achieved stardom in the promotion, which means that she will stay in the wrestling behemoth forever. WWE will do everything in their power to keep her signed as she is the biggest name in women's wrestling currently.
#4 Roman Reigns
๐ฝ
Unstoppable. Undisputed.
From Day One.
Acknowledge Us. โ๐ฝ
@WWEUsos @HeymanHustle twitter.com/WWE/status/152โฆ
Roman Reigns has been an important part of WWE programming over the last decade, first with The Shield and then as a singles Superstar. The Big Dog was been pushed to be the face of WWE, but faced several setbacks that have resulted in this not happening, one of them being his leukemia.
However, his Tribal Chief gimmick has been well received by the fans, and has helped him become the top star that Vince always wanted him to be. Given that The Head of the Table has already started working a part-time schedule and is still at the top of the food chain in WWE, there is no reason for him to leave the company.
#3 John Cena
.@JohnCena breaks down his unforgettable WWE debut against @RealKurtAngle from 20 years ago on #SmackDown in this #CenaMonth edition of WWE Playback. https://t.co/7NMVdZeZ1U
It's almost impossible to believe that John Cena will walk away from WWE, after how much time the company has invested in him and vice versa. Cena has a strong relationship with Vince McMahon, whom he has called "a friend, a father figure, a mentor, a trusting resource". He also said it himself in an interview last year that he will never leave the promotion, and only his role in the company will change:
โNo, no. I will never walk away from WWE. Thatโs the great thing about the promotion; you can perform in any capacity. And as long as Iโve made a promise in the in-ring aspect of things, as long as I can keep up with the current product, I will perform."
Cena has been an excellent ambassador for the promotion over the years, and his work in the ring as well as away from the ring, as well as his close relationship with Vince McMahon, means that he will never leave WWE.
#2 Brock Lesnar
BROCK LESNAR IS BACK ๐ณ
(via @WWE)
https://t.co/VPogdWJUqq
Brock Lesnar, in his second stint, has riled a sizable group of wrestling fans, for his lack of appearances when he was champion as well as the few times he defended the title. Lesnar is a "special attraction" like Vince McMahon once said, and he brings legitimacy to the company like no other superstar.
The Beast has achieved everything there is to achieve in the promotion and only makes a few appearances each year. There was talk about him joining AEW, but Dave Meltzer reported that Vince McMahon will offer a lot of money for The Beast to stay in the company:
โI believe that Vince will pay anything not to lose Brock because weโve seen it with UFC. I think it will be even stronger with AEW. You know Brockโs number is so high, but who knows? Itโd be a coup."
McMahon wants to keep Lesnar at any cost, meaning he will likely end up staying in WWE for a long time, even after he hangs up his wrestling boots. The Hall of Fame should be next for Lesnar.
#1 The Undertaker
Phenom. Deadman. WWE Hall of Famer. #ThankYouTaker #WrestleMania @undertaker https://t.co/qhqCurydAU
The Undertaker has been a loyal figure in WWE ever since he signed with them in 1990. Despite numerous big names leaving the company for WCW in the mid-90s, he stood by the company and Vince McMahon. His loyalty and friendship with Vince McMahon have been highlighted in the recently released Last Ride documentary.
Taker has been loyal to the company for three decades, made numerous memorable moments, and created one of the greatest gimmicks in pro wrestling history. His loyalty was rewarded by the promotion last year when they gave him a 15-year contract, which will see him in the company till the age of 69. The Phenom will be regarded as one of the greatest signings by Vince McMahon, one that changed the fortunes of the promotion.
Having hung up his boots after WrestleMania 36, The Undertaker was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Vince McMahon himself earlier this year.
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