5 Wrestlers Who Struggled After Departing WWE
WWE has long been a platform where wrestlers aspire to become major stars while securing substantial earnings. However, while some find success after their tenure with the company, others struggle to replicate their earlier achievements. Recently, Wrestling Inc. highlighted several AEW talents who faced difficulties post-WWE. Here, we revisit those wrestlers whose careers took a downturn after leaving the promotion based in Connecticut.
The five individuals mentioned not only faded from public awareness but also faced personal challenges such as substance abuse, controversy, or simply couldn’t recreate their WWE success.
Damien Sandow
In the early 2010s, Damien Sandow, known as Aaron Stevens, gained popularity as one of the most recognized mid-card stars in WWE, especially after his Money in the Bank win in 2013. Unfortunately, his career momentum stalled after a loss to John Cena for the WWE Championship, which many believed adversely impacted his trajectory. However, he enjoyed a resurgence with the "Damian Mizdow" gimmick alongside The Miz, eventually winning the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Yet, after that partnership fizzled, Sandow reverted to his previous persona, though he lacked the creative backing necessary to regain his popularity. This led to his release in 2016, and although he found some independent success, he never reached the heights he once did in WWE.
Today, Sandow makes occasional appearances as a manager or commentator for various independent wrestling promotions and competes sporadically with the National Wrestling Alliance. Other than a brief stint in TNA, he hasn’t returned to a major wrestling organization.
Muhammad Hassan
Muhammad Hassan portrayed an Arab-American wrestler who battled prejudice following the 9/11 attacks, becoming infamous for one of WWE’s most controversial gimmicks. After debuting in 2004, he quickly gained traction for his strong in-ring skills and promo work, making him a top heel of the Ruthless Aggression era. Unfortunately, a pivotal moment during a feud with The Undertaker led to a backlash against WWE, culminating in his firing in September 2005.
Since then, Hassan has stepped away from wrestling, returning to academia and currently serving as principal at Fulton Middle School.
Ryback
Throughout his seven years in WWE, Ryback frequently found himself in the main event scene, clashing with big names like CM Punk and John Cena. Despite several opportunities for the WWE Championship, he never secured the title, leading to a perception shift that placed him in the mid-card by 2014. Fans noted his diminishing momentum following several losses, including a critical match against Punk.
Frustrated with his creative direction, Ryback ultimately left the company after losing a match against Kalisto and has since built a social media following, where he shares insights about wrestling. However, his controversial remarks have strained relationships within the industry.
Adam Rose
While Adam Rose never held main event status in WWE, he garnered a dedicated fanbase with his vibrant persona and comedic flair. He was part of the Social Outcasts faction in 2016 but faced indefinite suspension due to violating WWE’s Wellness Policy, leading to a domestic violence arrest. Although the charges were dropped, the incident effectively ended his WWE journey and hindered his ability to secure work elsewhere.
Rose dabbled in independent wrestling before retiring in 2019. Transformed physically and sober for over 400 days, he opted for a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Alex Riley
In the early 2010s, Alex Riley was known as The Miz’s protégé and later seized the opportunity to establish himself as a singles competitor. However, a notorious backstage altercation with John Cena overshadowed his wrestling career and hindered his progress despite a strong fan following.
Though he attempted to return through a social media campaign and had brief appearances in NXT, Riley ultimately found himself on the sidelines after WrestleMania 32. He returned to the independent scene but has since remained largely inactive, sharing insights on his career in several interviews.
Fan Take
This exploration of former WWE talents highlights the often harsh reality of professional wrestling, where success can be fleeting. For fans, it underscores the importance of supporting wrestlers beyond the ring, reminding us that their journeys can be as tumultuous as their matches.
