Who would benefit the most from leaving the WWE?

[MartialHorror]

I only watch the WWE right now, as I couldn't get into TNA and I'd be surprised if I ended up watching Jeff Jarrett's new promotion. But I was thinking about how while the WWE is the biggest promotion by a long shot, it isn't always best for various superstars to remain there. Justin Gabriel left after realizing that he would probably always be a low card jobber, thinking that it would be better to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond than a small fish in a big pond. I can't remember the guys name, but an NXT performer recently left after realizing that things probably weren't going to get better.

From what I hear, Mysterio and Del Rio are much happier in their new promotions. So who do you think is wasting their career with the WWE?

My #1 pick is Ziggler, who is popular enough that I think he'd become more important in a company like TNA. I don't believe he's ever going to get anywhere higher in the WWE hierarchy and while popular, crowds aren't necessarily hijacking other matches using Ziggler's name anymore. Ziggler himself suggested he was considering leaving, although that might've been part of an angle.

I'd also say Sandow would do better if he got the hell out right now. He was incredibly over and his star was ready to shine, only for him to get stuck in another comedy gimmick that is less important than his last one. At least Ziggler is arguably the most prominent upper mid-carder, almost always getting a spot on every PPV. Sandow is stuck on Main Event. If he stays there for too long, he will lose any potential drawing power and become irrelevant.

 

[Rayne]

Wasting their career with the WWE? Getting stuck with a comedy gimmick? Jesus Christ Almighty.

There is currently one promotion in the world which will get you meaningful television exposure. (Sorry, TNA, you lost 2/3's of your audience and your employees don't go on to better things when they leave.) If you aren't already a major star, the WWE is where you go if you want a chance of that happening in professional wrestling. Outside of a few notable exceptions, the WWE pays better than everyone else too. If you're looking to build a 'career', the WWE is where you get it.

That's not to imply that everyone should be happy with the WWE if they're there; they have the most absolutely brutal schedule in the business, corporate racism is absurdly blatant (Hi, R-Truth! Hi, New Day!), and your opportunity for creative input is zero. There are a lot of reasons someone might not be happy in the WWE; wasting your career is not one of them.

And can we all just knock off the hatred of comedy gimmicks? Everyone doesn't get to be Brock Lesnar or John Cena; a professional wrestling show is a collection of different parts. Santino Marella built a career around being a comedy jobber. You know why you haven't heard much from him since his neck injury? He made his money and got out. He doesn't have to sell you remedies for your back pain, or take shitty gigs at the local VFW for $1,000 a night. (Which you don't actually have to wrestle for; hi, Sid Eudy.) He built a career in the WWE as a comedy jobber, all while people on these boards lamented how he was 'stuck' in the role.

 

[MartialHorror]

Didn't Santino begin his WWE career as a comedic character?

Maybe "wasting" a career is a strong word, but wrestlers often don't have the longest of careers and they aren't getting any younger. Justin Gabriel is athletic and a highly talented performer, but he wasn't used much on TV. Furthermore, most successful performers do have a certain amount of ego, which causes friction if they feel they are being wasted. CM Punk is the most obvious example right now, but Ziggler has also expressed frustration at how he has been used. I hear Bryan wasn't happy once he came back from injury either.

It's easy for a fan such as one of us to say that we'd love that kind of exposure. Sure, Axel is very low on the card, but he probably brings home bigger paychecks than anyone on this forum- maybe even more than everyone on this forum combined. Yet whenever I read any wrestling book or shoot, it's always the performer expressing frustration how they're feeling under-appreciated. That's part of the reason why Jarrett left WWF for the dying WCW, even though it was dying at that time. That's why I started this topic, to see who would benefit the most by leaving.

 

[Lascelle]

I could make a case for Cody Rhodes. Dude has a ton of experience, is great on the mic, has embraced any gimmick given to him and is still young at 29. Seems clear the WWE has no clue how to utilize him right now and he would benefit highly from leaving on good terms and getting a stint in at NJPW to elevate his craft with some of the best wrestling talent in the world.

 

[cornerdon26]

Depends what you mean though by benefit? Financially, none of them.

Wrestling has a limited shelf life, staying loyal to WWE may help you future.

In terms of better booking though Zack Ryder (could be a massive draw on the indies) has to be the main guy. Someone like Rhodes still gets regular TV time and will probably end the Stadurst character soon.

 

[Navi]

From what I hear, Mysterio and Del Rio are much happier in their new promotions. So who do you think is wasting their career with the WWE?

Why would any wrestler who wants to get noticed and paid want to leave the WWE if they have a contract with them?

They could go to AAA, like Mysterio and Del Rio did, but their Mexican and it's a Mexican production, so no wonder their happier there. A wrestler like Ziggler who contract is up soon might get picked up by TNA, but no guarantee on if they'll even be around by the end of the year. Or if he'll get paid on time while he's there. Destination America is looking to get out of the TV deal, and there have been widely reported reports that some workers are months behind in their paycheques.

You could also go over to ROH or one of the indies in Japan, no idea of what the pay is there or the schedule is. So I ask again, why would you leave a company that has the following? Four weekly TV shows, monthly PPV's, plays to sell out crowds of over 16k a week, and has their own network? Last but not least NXT, which is one of the best brands going right now.

If you're a wrestler and you love wrestling then the WWE is the place to be.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Maybe "wasting" a career is a strong word, but wrestlers often don't have the longest of careers and they aren't getting any younger.

For sure. I figured that's why Rob Van Dam and Christian left TNA and returned to WWE; they wanted to sock away as much money toward retirement as they could before calling it quits. I could be wrong, but isn't it so that jobbers in WWE make more than main eventers in other wrestling companies?

I suppose it depends what a performer wants out of his profession. If he wants the fame and exposure, he might choose to go to the "smaller pond"....which might have been what RVD and Christian did when voluntarily leaving Stamford to join TNA.

In the end, though, securing one's financial future is a strong incentive to go for the dough. For that reason, I can't think of anyone viewing it as better to leave WWE and seek employment elsewhere.

 

[Softcore Holly]

Depends on several factors.

1) Would they get more money someplace else?
2) Would they be happier there than in WWE?
3) Would they be able to move higher up the ladder than they would in WWE?

The moment I saw this topic my mind immediately went to Drew Galloway, formerly known as Drew Mcintyre. The last we saw him in WWE he was a joke jobber who was on the bottom of the card and going nowhere fast. I don't follow TNA but just a quick look at his wiki page tells he's clearly doing a lot better there than he was doing during his few years in the WWE and chances are he's happier now that he gets to do a lot more than job to everyone.

So the question would be who on the roster is in a similar situation as Drew was and might do better elsewhere? Let see...

Jack Swagger - Ever since his run-in with the law his stock has sunk like a 3 ton boulder. He got a small breath of life with his feud with Rusev/face turn but since then he lost Zeb thanks to surgery and I can't remember the last time he's been on Raw. Not saying he'll be a world champ elsewhere but he's still pretty young, agile, decent looking and big so I can imagine someone out there can find a better use for him.

Zack Ryder - Again not expecting a world champ here but he's also young, got a good look, decent in the ring and the cherry on top is he has a following, of sorts. Considering all he does is job in the very, very few times he actually shows up it's not like any new place he goes to has to work very hard to top what he's doing now.

Los Matadores - Epico/Primo had a small period of good reactions thanks to their new gimmick(or more likely it was just the bull) but now they're at the bottom of the tag division with no real chance of going anywhere anytime soon. They are still 2 talented guys in the ring that are fun to watch when they get the chance, and could probably find better luck somewhere else.

 

[Mustang Sally]

The moment I saw this topic my mind immediately went to Drew Galloway, formerly known as Drew Mcintyre.

Your point is well taken, as my mind is always going to Drew Galloway (still!)

The thing is, Drew was fired; he didn't make the decision whether he'd be better off leaving WWE or not. If his WWE contract had expired before he was future endeavored....and he was offered a new one.....it would have been interesting to see what choices he would have made.

In the best of all worlds, Drew will enjoy the success he's attaining in TNA and use the momentum to eventually come back to WWE and work programs more to his liking.

 

[MartialHorror]

Keep in mind that in many cases, I think the plan is to leave, build up their star somewhere else and hopefully return to a more prominent role in the WWE. I always think about Bret Hart's book, where he becomes worried that WWE (then F) was turning him into a jobber. If you'd get typecast as such, that would effect your drawing power and you're now reliant on WWE keeping you employed. Once they decide to axe Heath Slater, which is a possibility as others have replaced him as the comedy jobber and he doesn't even appear that much anymore, what will he do? There's no security and I don't think many would pay to watch him, as he has been presented as a total joke.

Guys like Fandango and Ryder always strike me as talented and athletic wrestlers who might even have entertaining personalities, but they rarely get any time to show off their skills. If WWE decided to let them go, they'd have the same problem. "Oh yeah, remember the guy who often would lose in 20 seconds?" So even if WWE pays well, it is a common practice to diminish the star power of talents while they're on the way out. 3MB got this BAD shortly before their release and I don't care how talented Drew M (can't think of his last name) was, nothing he showed off during his last year impressed me. I hear he's very talented, but WWE didn't allow him to show that. Maybe he can recover (maybe he already has, I don't know), but wouldn't it have been better if he left during the early stages of his demotion?

So to me, there is a lot more to the topic than just 'WWE gives them more exposure and money". It does, but that exposure can also lead to Red Roosters or the lead from the Spirit Squad who never was able to shake that image.

Edit: Drew Mcintyre!!! That's it. I find it funny that the topic drifted to him while I was responding.

 

[Softcore Holly]

Your point is well taken, as my mind is always going to Drew Galloway (still!)

The thing is, Drew was fired; he didn't make the decision whether he'd be better off leaving WWE or not. If his WWE contract had expired before he was future endeavored....and he was offered a new one.....it would have been interesting to see what choices he would have made.

In the best of all worlds, Drew will enjoy the success he's attaining in TNA and use the momentum to eventually come back to WWE and work programs more to his liking.

Ah good point about the firing. I forgot he was part of the last round of firings and just thought he negotiated his way out like Rey and Gabriel did, my mistake. Still glad that he was able to turn it into something positive though.

 

[xTUGx]

I reckon a lot of the stars at NXT who aren't established would benefit by going to TNA or ROH and making a name for themselves and then coming back to WWE. I mean look at Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Neville, Solomon Crowe, Hideo Itami, Finn Balor and even Daniel Bryan.
Moreover, look at Samoa Joe. He hasn't even signed with WWE and fans are jumping at the bit for him to come. I think Baron Corbin in particular would be better off going to Ring of Honor for a few years then returning to WWE as he would be able to establish a name for himself.

 

[OYDK]

I'd say somebody who doesn't get utilized that can make an impact on the indy scene would benefit from leaving the E. People like Ziggler and Sandow will probably never be more relevant in the wrestling world than they are right now doing their thing on the big stage.

I'd go with Zack Ryder. He's never used, probably making peanuts at this stage, and still has a decent following. If he could get out and go to, say ROH or GFW, he may be able to make a much bigger name for himself than he currently has. Worked for Drew as Sally mentioned and people like AJ Styles and Del Rio were able to revitalize their career leaving their respective companies.

 

[The Real Deal Nevielle]

I could see the different categories here. Because wwe is talent loaded, I could see cut/leave on own/ or retire...it's easy, nobody is gonna leave on their own.so now,

Retirement is needed
Big show...unfortunately he lives it to much.
Kane
Mark Henry
Christian
Undertaker
Yes, Sting
Goldust

B now cut
Jamie noble he's a waste
Joey mercury. Waste
Hunico
Summer Rae
Zack Ryder
Adam rose
David otungu
Carmen
hornswoggle....maybe
Byron Saxon ....he's just boring on the commentators team

Send back to next (it helped sin cara)
Bo Dallas
Sami zayn (if he stays brought up)
The ascension

Don't rush Owen's too fast
Or don't rush Balor either.

 

[Hem]

If the stars have earned enough money that they can settle to let go of the WWE paycheck then and only then should they consider leaving WWE for a smaller paycheck.

There are a few people who could do great outside of the WWE. Heres my top three:

1) CODY RHODES: If you think about a talent who is being wasted and Cody isn't on the top of your list than we obviously think differently. This dude has proven he can take whatever gimmick he is doing and actually make it work. He is a really good wrestler, he's fine on the mic and I think with the right character - which is of the cocky heel with the family lineage - he can go very far in TNA.


2) TYSON KIDD: Kidd is an exceptional talent in the ring and I think his tag team with Cesaro is great. I wish they had more mic time but I think they will eventually get that. Post Cesaro I think Kidd will once again just flounder in the midcard doing nothing thats why I think its time he leave the company. I would not say he should go to TNA though I think he'd just end up as another X Division wrestler and that division isn't what it used to be. I think the best option for Kidd would be for him go to Japan or ROH and maybe GFW if that takes off.


3) The Miz: I think the Miz has established himself as a big enough name that any company will sign him. I'm sure TNA would bounce at the opportunity to sign the Miz. I know The Miz won't leave the WWE, I mean why would he let go of the paycheck, media, exposure, title wins, movies, other projects to wrestle only? However if wrestling was all he cared for than I think The Miz could be a main event guy on the TNA roster and would most probably win the World Title multiple times.





I did not say Dolph Ziggler because I don't think he'll benefit outside of the WWE. You have to keep in consideration that this dude holds the mid card titles at least 2 times a year and has been the WHC in the past along with having some memorable moments. If Dolph were to leave the WWE than it would only be because he wants to be the face of a company and he wants to be its main champion.

 

[Radical]

Like some have said already, it depends on what you mean by benefit?

Almost no one would benefit financially by leaving WWE. I've looked at the reports on WWE talent earnings and if they are even slightly accurate even a lowly jobber like Heath Slater is going to be making over $100,000 a year as a guarantee! He's probably making more than that. Even with the money he has to spend on accommodations, food, travel and other essentials at least he's got perks with WWE that he wouldn't get on the indies. This goes for anyone on the roster who isn't in the 'top spot' but is still regularly on TV. Funny enough, Heath Slater is 3-time WWE Tag Champ (from his Nexus days) which I think is still the current record for active members of the roster!

Sure, Heath could benefit in terms of being seen as a more serious wrestler and getting more ring time on the indies, like Drew McIntyre did but I'm sure Heath, and wrestlers in WWE constantly do, is weigh those options and think if it's worth it.

Save your money while WWE is still paying you. Look at JTG! That crazy guy got paid a downside guarantee of probably 6 figures or near that for mostly sitting on his couch or jobbing a quick match here and there. He didn't ask for a release or demand a higher spot on the card. WWE, for who knows what reason, didn't cut him early and kept paying him and he let them do it. Does that mean he was super happy about sitting on the couch and not being able to wrestle meaningful matches? Probably not. But he weighed his options and it made more financial sense to take the money WWE was giving him and save it so when he inevitably did leave he had more options and wouldn't be financially strapped for a while.

I just looked a Wikipedia to see where JTG is now and it says that since leaving WWE he got back with Shad and they've done indy bookings in the US and UK. Doesn't look like he's signed or a regular with any promotion which is probably perfect. He lives in LA and probably is pretty financially comfortable. He now gets to take bookings when he wants, have fun with it and then do whatever else he wants.


Sure, guys get frustrated still because they aren't in a great position and I'm sure they would like to be but at the same time they have to look at the big picture and usually that means taking the better money.

So, to answer the question:

No one I can see would benefit more financially by leaving WWE.

But who would benefit in terms of more opportunity to perform and be seen as a more credible wrestler? I'd say Zack Ryder, Fandango, Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes and Heath Slater. Hmmm, funny that I all named current jobbers. Yep, that's how it goes.

 

[Navi]

I could see the different categories here. Because wwe is talent loaded, I could see cut/leave on own/ or retire...it's easy, nobody is gonna leave on their own.so now,

Retirement is needed
Big show...unfortunately he lives it to much.
Kane
Mark Henry
Christian
Undertaker
Yes, Sting
Goldust

Kane and Big Show are part of the Authority storyline, which and yes we all hate it, is an integral part of what's going on right now, so I'm afraid both will have to stay.

Mark Henry, well I haven't seen him in months. Undertaker only wrestles one match a year, and so does Sting apparently. So you might as well take them off the list, they are being used as special attractions.

Christian has already retired due to injury, and Goldust just had an operation and doubt he'll be back.

B now cut
Jamie noble he's a waste
Joey mercury. Waste
Hunico
Summer Rae
Zack Ryder
Adam rose
David otungu
Carmen
hornswoggle....maybe
Byron Saxon ....he's just boring on the commentators team

Noble and Mercury are with Rollins the number one heel and the WWE champion right now, they aren't going anywhere. Summer Rae and Hornswoggle make movies for WWE studios. Hunico is Sin Cara. He and Kalisto are doing well as a tag team. David Otunga is I believe using his legal degree from Harvard to work for the WWE in that capacity.

I do agree with Ryder and Rose those, they bring nothing. Saxon failed on RAW but he's fine on NXT.

Send back to next (it helped sin cara)
Bo Dallas
Sami zayn (if he stays brought up)
The ascension

Agree with Dallas going back, he is overstaying his welcome right now. Zayn isn't even on the main roster, and the Ascension well don't know what to say about them. They got lambasted on their first night out and haven't recovered yet. They just need a repackage.