Throughout the history of professional wrestling, WWE has often been seen as the ultimate destination for wrestlers aiming to achieve stardom and financial success. However, not all performers have managed to maintain their momentum after leaving the company. Some have faced challenges that led to a decline in their careers, either due to personal issues, creative missteps, or lack of opportunities.
Here are five former WWE superstars whose careers took a downward turn after departing from the company:
Damien Sandow
During the early 2010s, Damien Sandow, known at the time as Aron Stevens, emerged as one of WWE’s most popular mid-card stars. His Money in the Bank win in 2013 solidified his status as a fan favorite. However, his momentum was halted when he failed to defeat John Cena for the WWE Championship after cashing in the briefcase on “WWE Raw.” Despite this setback, Sandow found renewed success with his “Damien Mizdow” persona alongside The Miz, which led to winning the WWE Tag Team Championships.
The partnership with The Miz provided Sandow with a second chance to break into the main event scene. His betrayal of The Miz during the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31 was a pivotal moment. However, after a short feud with The Miz, Sandow returned to his “Intellectual Savior of the Masses” persona and never regained the same level of popularity. He was eventually released in 2016 and has since had moderate success on the independent wrestling scene, though he has not recaptured the magic he once had.
Today, Sandow makes occasional appearances as a manager or commentator for indie companies and continues to compete semi-regularly for the National Wrestling Alliance. Outside of a brief stint in TNA, he has not had another opportunity to compete for a major wrestling promotion.
Muhammad Hassan
Muhammad Hassan had one of the most controversial gimmicks in WWE history. His character portrayed an Arab-American competitor who faced prejudice following the 9/11 attacks. Despite the controversy, Hassan quickly became a top star due to his in-ring skills and promo work. However, a segment on “WWE SmackDown” involving Hassan and his manager, Daivari, led to severe backlash. The segment, which included a prayer ritual followed by masked men attacking The Undertaker, resembled a terrorist attack and occurred just days before the 2005 London Bombings.
This incident led to a significant drop in Hassan’s push within WWE, and he was eventually fired in September 2005. After leaving WWE, Hassan returned to college and now works as a principal at Fulton Junior High School. He has largely stayed out of the wrestling world since then.
Ryback
Ryback had a seven-year run in WWE, often being positioned as a main event threat against stars like CM Punk and John Cena. However, he never captured the WWE Championship, and by 2014, he was primarily featured as a mid-card star. Fans often point to his inability to win major events as the start of his decline. His loss to CM Punk at Hell in a Cell and subsequent loss to Kalisto at Payback further damaged his momentum.
After being bumped to the pre-show of WrestleMania 32, Ryback expressed frustration with WWE’s creative direction and eventually left the company. He had a brief stint on the independent scene but retired in 2018. Since then, he has gained a large social media following, where he shares insights about his WWE experiences. However, his controversial comments have hurt his relationships with former colleagues.
Adam Rose
Adam Rose was never considered a main event talent, but he built a cult following with his energetic persona and comedic segments. His entrance with the “Rosebuds” was a highlight of his WWE career. In 2016, he joined the Social Outcasts faction but was suspended for violating WWE’s wellness policy. Shortly after, he was arrested for domestic violence, though the charges were later dropped.
Despite his efforts to rebuild his career, Rose struggled to find work outside WWE. He competed on the independent scene for three years before retiring in 2019. After a period of sobriety and physical transformation, there was speculation that he might return to WWE, but he has remained out of the spotlight.
Alex Riley
Alex Riley rose to prominence as The Miz’s apprentice in WWE NXT before being called up to the main roster. He gained attention after betraying The Miz and defeating him at Capitol Punishment. However, a backstage altercation with John Cena reportedly ended his push in WWE. Despite being popular with fans, Riley faced criticism and was involved in several behind-the-scenes controversies.
After his singles push faded, Riley moved to the commentary desk and launched a #FreeRiley campaign to return to the ring. This led to a brief return to NXT, but he was eventually cut from the roster. He made a brief return to the independent scene in 2020 but has otherwise remained inactive. Riley has appeared in several interviews in the 2020s, sharing his perspective on his WWE career.
