5 WWE Main Eventers Who Shockingly Left the Company – Roman Reigns Might Be Next!

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He is also expected to appear on the remaining episodes of RAW in May. However, he will not be a part of the traveling roster when WWE has international shows. The exact reason behind his absence hasn’t been revealed, and following the release of The New Day over restructured contracts, rumors suggest that Roman Reigns might also be dealing with a similar situation backstage.

If that is indeed the case, there is a chance he might be on his way out, even though it is unlikely. With that in mind, here are five instances of main-event calibre superstars leaving the company or being released despite having a contract with WWE in the past.

#5. Batista

Batista quit WWE two times, first in 2010, then in 2014, citing creative differences with the promotion. He eventually made his return during RAW’s 1000 appearance for a reunion with Evolution and was eventually challenged to a match by Triple H at WrestleMania 35.

The Animal eventually ended up losing the bout after interference from Ric Flair, and lost to his former teammate in a singles match for the first time. Batista then retired from pro-wrestling altogether and has since shifted his focus completely to Hollywood, where he has been doing very well with several high-profile roles. Despite being a former World Heavyweight Champion, Batista decided to go out on his own terms, instead of a bigger clash with the creative team about his booking.

#4. Kurt Angle

After winning an Olympic gold medal with a broken neck, Kurt Angle joined WWE and became a mainstay in the main event picture. Between 1999 and 2006, Angle won several world titles and managed to become one of the top names in the company.

However, he decided to leave WWE in 2006 citing health concerns. Angle was allegedly dealing with physical damage from a very stressful schedule, as well as addiction to painkillers. He later admitted that he had to leave the company for his own good, despite not wanting to do it.

He later joined TNA and became the inaugural TNA World Heavyweight Champion, going on to have an incredible run there as well.

#3. Hulk Hogan

Despite being one of the biggest stars in the history of pro wrestling, Hulk Hogan was never a WWE-lifer. He exited the company on numerous occasions over differences with Vince McMahon regarding the direction of his character.

He was removed from all of the company’s official spaces in 2015 after the racism incident. However, he quit the company before that as well, most prominently in 2003 after his Mr. America gimmick. Hogan, at the time, thought that he should have been the highest-paid wrestler in the company and was also not eager to put talent over. All these issues eventually led to him leaving the company at the time.

#2. Stone Cold

Despite being one of WWE’s biggest stars at the time, Stone Cold Steve Austin walked out on the company after being asked to lose to Brock Lesnar in June 2002 on an episode of RAW. The former WWE Champion reportedly believed that it deserved a better stage and that it shouldn’t have been on the weekly show.

Citing creative dissatisfaction, Stone Cold Steve Austin walked away from the company for nearly a year. He eventually returned in 2003, but his run didn’t last long as he was forced to retire from active in-ring competition due to injuries.

#1. CM Punk

After a historic WWE Championship run, CM Punk was on the verge of being one of the top babyfaces in the company in 2014. However, after being eliminated from the Royal Rumble that year, fans did not see him on the company’s weekly shows for a decade.

The Second City Saint is one of WWE’s biggest rebels, and had his issues with Vince McMahon at the time. He later revealed that he was fired on the day of his wedding with AJ Lee after receiving his termination letter in the mail.

There were reportedly several reasons behind his departure, one among them being an alleged misdiagnosis of a staph infection by a WWE doctor that caused his health to deteriorate. On the other hand, creative frustration also played a big part as part-timers such as The Rock were booked in more prominent roles than him, causing burnout and leading to him leaving the industry.

He eventually returned to pro wrestling by joining AEW, and after a brief stint there, returned to WWE in 2023 at Survivor Series in Chicago.