5 WWE Superstars who quit on live TV - 6-time World Champion, 18-year veteran
The latest edition of WWE RAW featured a top wrestler quitting on live TV. But this wasn't the first time such a thing happened.
Professional wrestlers play characters that, in most cases, are just dialed-up versions of their real selves. So, it's not surprising to see these characters having goals, dreams & regrets. This has resulted in several superstars reacting unreasonably upon not getting their way.
One effective method for a WWE Superstar to show the fans the extent of their displeasure is by grabbing the mic on a live TV taping and announcing their departure. This tactic could either be used to write a wrestler off programming or pave the way for an interesting new storyline direction for them.
That said, let's take a look at five WWE wrestlers who quit on live TV.
#5. Drew McIntyre (RAW, June 17, 2024)
To say that The Scottish Warrior has been having an interesting year would be an understatement. He has consistently been among the most must-see superstars on Monday nights.
Recently, McIntyre encountered a major on-screen setback. He had the chance to win his fourth World Championship in WWE, and that too in his home country of Scotland at Clash at the Castle. However, his animosity with CM Punk cost him the moment of a lifetime, sending him to the back of the line.
The Scottish Warrior's feud with The Second City Saint has been going on since January 2024. McIntyre was responsible for injuring Punk at Royal Rumble 2024 and robbing him of the opportunity to main event WrestleMania XL. Since then, The Best in the World has taken it upon himself to make sure that his foe never tastes championship glory again.
So, after letting CM Punk repeatedly cost him game-changing opportunities, McIntyre appeared on the June 17, 2024, episode of RAW and announced that he was done with WWE.
#4. Jey Uso (WWE SmackDown, August 11, 2023)
The flag-bearer of the Yeet! Movement is currently enjoying a monumental run on Monday Night RAW. He has defeated top names such as Finn Balor and Ilja Dragunov.
However, Main Event Jey wasn't this upbeat wrestler back in the summer of 2023. During that period, he was part of an intense storyline pitting him and his brother, Jimmy against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.
This family feud led to Jimmy turning his back on Jey and costing him a chance to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2023. Tired of all the family drama and betrayals, Jey appeared on the August 11, 2023, episode of SmackDown to let the world know that he was quitting.
Fast forward to September 2023, Cody Rhodes used his pull backstage to spur a deal that brought the fan-favorite former Bloodline member back into the fold as a member of the RAW roster.
#3. Kevin Owens (RAW, August 27, 2018)
While it's been nearly eight years since Kevin Owens won his first and only World Championship in WWE, he's never stopped being a focal point of key angles.
Since 2018, he has had entertaining feuds against Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, The New Day, Sami Zayn, and others. So, it's tough to imagine where the Stamford-based promotion would be today if the crowd had never witnessed these rivalries after Kevin Owens quit in the summer of 2018.
Yes, that's correct. Following a string of embarrassing moments and losses at the hands of Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins, the then-18-year veteran took a seat in the middle of the ring and said, 'I quit.'
But even more surprising than The Prizefighter's announcement was the fact that he made his return a week later, attacking Bobby Lashley to reassert his mean streak. It was confusing, but for a week, fans across the globe were wondering what was next for the former Universal Champion.
#2. Batista (2010 and 2014)
If there's one WWE legend who knew the art of making dramatic exits, it was Batista. His first departure from the company took place in 2010. In storyline context, he quit merely 24 hours after being hit with an 'Attitude Adjustment' off the roof of a car.
The wheelchair-bound Batista appeared on the RAW the night after the aforementioned incident took place. However, instead of receiving any sympathy from the top brass, The Animal found out that he had to compete against Randy Orton later in the night. When he refused to participate and lost the match by forfeit, he took his ball and went home.
In reality, the six-time World Champion was disappointed in the direction WWE was headed. But his love for the game couldn't keep him apart from the world of professional wrestling for long because, in early 2014, The Animal made his triumphant comeback.
He spent the next few months putting over young stars such as Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins. In June 2014, he once again 'quit' WWE during a live edition of RAW after his Evolution stablemate Triple H refused to grant him a World Title shot.
#1. Bret 'The Hitman' Hart (RAW, January 20, 1997)
Nearly a year before the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob' incident took place, Bret Hart walked out of the ring with no intention of returning as Mr. McMahon looked on.
The segment in question played on the January 20, 1997, episode of WWF RAW. Bret Hart, having failed to win the Royal Rumble match, was furious about not getting his opportunity to fight for the World Championship.
In his promo, he blamed Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin for not having a World Title bout lined up for him at WrestleMania 13 and told Mr. McMahon that he didn't trust him to do the right thing. Then, he sent shockwaves across the pro wrestling realm by announcing that he was quitting.
At that point, nobody knew how similar Bret's kayfabe departure would look to his real one at Survivor Series 1997. In hindsight, though, it was a clear sign of the nightmare that was yet to come.