5 WWE stars from SummerSlam 2023 who won't be on this year's cardÂ
SummerSlam season is heating up as the WWE Universe prepares itself for the second-biggest premium live event of the year. Several matches have already been confirmed for what is expected to be a stacked card.
However, the company's landscape has changed drastically in the last 12 months. A handful of superstars who had key positions on the card for SummerSlam 2023 will not have the same luxury as WWE heads to Cleveland for The Biggest Party of the Summer.
On that note, let's look at five WWE stars from last year's event who will not be on the card for SummerSlam 2024.
#5. Inaugural WWE Speed Champion, Ricochet
Ricochet battled Logan Paul in the show-opener for The Biggest Party of the Summer last year. The One and Only and The Maverick took the internet by storm with their breathtaking collision in the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble match.
In the 2023 Men's Money in the Bank Ladder match, their mutual hatred eventually removed both men from the equation. Ricochet and Paul, thus, had plenty of ill will, and their clash at SummerSlam 2023 was the blow-off to their feud.
Unfortunately, Paul, with the help of his buddies, illegally used brass knuckles to defeat the former Intercontinental Champion. The loss marked Ricochet's final match at the PLE, as The One and Only left the company in mid-2024.
After his contract expired in June, the inaugural Speed Champion decided not to re-sign with the company. Ricochet was written off WWE television with a heinous backstage assault by Bron Breakker. There is no official word on his future, but he is expected to join AEW.
#4. An injured Asuka is not expected to feature at SummerSlam
Last year, Asuka was at the top of her game as she entered the second-biggest PLE of 2023 as the WWE Women's Champion. The Empress of Tomorrow defended her championship against Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair, the latter being the winner of the Triple Threat match.
Unfortunately, the former NXT Women's Champion suffered a knee injury earlier this year, ruling her out for an undisclosed period. This forced her out of the Queen of the Ring tournament.
Once she's back, fans can expect Asuka to join her DAMAGE CTRL teammates again, but another championship run would require a ton of work.
#3. Charlotte Flair
From one stalwart of the female division to another, Charlotte Flair was also part of the Triple Threat Women's World Title match at SummerSlam 2023.
The 14-time Women's World Champion would certainly have had another marquee match-up at The Biggest Party of the Summer this year. However, a serious leg injury towards the tail end of 2023 put The Queen on the shelf.
Flair has not wrestled in the ring in 2024, and it doesn't look like that will change by the time the second-biggest PLE of the year rolls around.
#2. Ronda Rousey wrestled the final match of her second WWE run at SummerSlam 2023
Ronda Rousey was one of WWE's top draws and a hot attraction in her initial run that lasted from 2018-19. However, her second run was underwhelming, as The Baddest Woman on the Planet's rusty ring work quickly impaired her relationship with the fans.
Rousey's final match against Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam 2023 was a striking indication of her drastic downfall. Ford Field was least bothered by the MMA Rules match between the two female stars. The crowd was dead, and the competitors couldn't captivate their interest.
The former UFC star put over The Queen of Spades on her way out of the company, but that didn't do wonders for Baszler's career either.
Rousey has been vocal about WWE since her departure, heavily criticizing the company in the aftermath of her underwhelming stint.
#1. Brock Lesnar has not been seen on WWE television following his loss to Cody Rhodes
Brock Lesnar's name is synonymous with The Biggest Party of the Summer, as he is popularly called "Mr. SummerSlam." The Beast Incarnate infamously won his first WWE Championship from The Rock in 2002 at the second-biggest event of the year.
12 years later, Brock Lesnar squashed John Cena in one of the most shocking main events in WWE history. His win-loss record has taken a hit recently as he lost to Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns in his latest outings at SummerSlam.
However, Lesnar was implicated in a controversial scandal that also featured Vince McMahon. The allegations removed The Beast Incarnate from all of WWE's immediate plans, and his name is seldom brought up on television.
No one knows if and when Lesnar will return to WWE, but he is likely to miss The Biggest Party of the Summer this year.