4 unexpected WWE departures in the last year
When Vince McMahon ran things, unexpected WWE releases were commonplace. Under the McMahon regime, main-event caliber superstars like Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Rusev, and Aleister Black were unceremoniously released.
However, soon after Triple H took creative control, the damage was seemingly undone in his re-hiring spree. Hunter brought back several departed and disgruntled stars, including Strowman, Wyatt, Karrion Kross, Nia Jax, and Andrade among others.
Despite his ability to read the audience's mind, Hunter has also made a few questionable decisions, especially about a few departures that occurred in the last year. Here we take a look at four such stars.
#4. Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal is one of the more recent additions to this list. Mahal announced his unexpected departure from the company soon after WrestleMania XL to much discussion from the fan base.
The Modern-Day Maharaja was involved in a short-term program with Seth "Freakin" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship not long before his departure. Furthermore, he had a run-in with The Rock.
Although these notable appearances didn't amount to much, they showed the company's faith in Mahal as a credible talent worthy of sharing the ring with WWE's top names.
Furthermore, Mahal had an amazing redemption arc. Upon being released in June 2014, he returned with a more chiseled physique. Eventually, the company pushed him to the moon and The Maharaja won the WWE Championship.
In recent years, he was sparingly used, but Mahal could have been a solid mid-card act. Moreover, Triple H could have run his experiments with the Indian fan base using the former United States Champion as a vehicle. But, the company thought otherwise.
#3. Dolph Ziggler
Last September, a horde of superstars were released. This list included noteworthy names like Shelton Benjamin and Mustafa Ali. But, none of the departures received as much attention as Dolph Ziggler, an established veteran who had been with the Stamford-based promotion on the main roster a year shy of two decades.
The Showoff was one of the most respected figures in the industry. A reliable worker with undeniable charisma, Ziggler had all the potential to become a top WWE Superstar. Yet, despite several mini-pushes, the popular veteran never broke into the main-event scene.
Ziggler eventually transitioned into a gatekeeper role, putting over newer talent. In many ways, he was seemingly WWE-bound for life. A staple in the mid-card who could be used as a stepping stone or to fill the field in Royal Rumbles and Money in The Bank matches.
Triple H could have easily used Ziggler in a role similar to that currently occupied by The Miz and R-Truth. Yet, he was released in a surprise twist last year.
#2. Ricochet
One of the greatest high-flyers and natural babyfaces on the main roster, Ricochet is a loveable figure with undeniable talent and charisma. From his days in WWE NXT, The One and Only had captivated the WWE audience.
A former US Champion and the inaugural WWE Speed Champion, Ricochet had an accomplished career in the mid-card. However, despite the obvious talent and charisma, he never broke into the upper tier of the company.
Yet, he was always around, putting on bangers regularly and making it to the highlight reel with every given chance. Furthermore, his fiancee, Samantha Irvin, had become increasingly popular with the fan base due to her stellar work on the mic as a ring announcer.
Unfortunately, Ricochet decided not to renew his contract and was recently written off TV with a brutal backstage assault by Bron Breakker.
Owing to his association with Irvin and undeniable talent, it seemed as if Ricochet was in WWE for the long run. Eventually, he would have won more championships. However, his exit closed the door on those possibilities for now.
#1. WWE Hall of Famer Edge, now known as Adam Copeland
With eleven world titles and two Royal Rumble victories, Edge is considered one of all-time greats. Add his incredible work as a heel into the mix, and it is no surprise that he is a Hall of Famer. Despite a wonderful first run, it was his latest stint that was universally loved.
The Rated-R Superstar returned from retirement in the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble to end his career on his terms. Over the next 3 years, Edge had incredible programs with the likes of Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton, and a rollercoaster ride with The Judgment Day.
However, the Hall of Famer wrestled his final match in August 2023 against Sheamus. It was advertised as such, and Edge received a heartwarming farewell. Yet, the legend ended up in AEW soon after his departure.
Hardcore wrestling fans are having a hard time calling him "Adam Copeland" in AEW because they cannot get the image of Edge in WWE as The Ultimate Opportunist and Master Manipulator out of their minds.
There were supposedly no tensions between Edge and management, yet they couldn't reach a deal. The 11-time world champion wants to do things on his terms, but WWE was his true home and the ideal resting ground for an illustrious career.