BRITISH superstar Neville has reportedly walked out of WWE – and there’s speculation that Nia Jax may also be set to leave the company.
This could be the start of a mass exodus of talent from WWE, with superstars rumoured to be unhappy with their position.
Sun Sport looks back at some of the most notorious and controversial exits from WWE.
Mick Foley
The former Mankind staged a mini walkout after Survivor Series 1997 – as a show of solidarity following the events of the Montreal Screwjob.
The hardcore legend was gutted for the Hitman Brett Hart and wanted to stick by the Canadian following his stitch-up at the hands of WWE boss Vince McMahon.
That was until Foley’s wife pointed out he was in breach of contract and wouldn’t be able to work anywhere else.
Needless to say, the famously frugal Mickster was back to work fairly sharpish after that.
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Christian
The former tag partner of Edge quit the company in 2005 after declining to sign a new contract.
Christian was a favourite among hardcore fans and one of the best all-rounders on the WWE roster – but his talents were being wasted.
He left for TNA – where he wrestled for three years – but returned to WWE in 2009 and notched up a few runs with the World Heavyweight Championship.
Vince Russo
The self-professed brains behind the Attitude Era, Russo famously walked out on WWE in October 1999 – joining WCW at the peak of the Monday Night Wars.
Though WWE was riding high, Russo was overworked – and received no pay rise when WWE added SmackDown (a whole extra show for Russo to write) to its weekly schedule.
Russo jumped ship with writing partner Ed Ferrara and proceeded to book WCW into oblivion – the beginning of the end for the troubled promotion.
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Jeff Jarrett
“Double JJ” had been on-off Intercontinental champ through early 1995, but walked out immediately after dropping the belt to Shawn Michaels at In Your House 2 in July.
Jarrett – who left with his manager/partner Roadie (later Road Dogg) – was reportedly unhappy with the loss, plus an angle that would see his country singer character outed as a lip-synching fraud.
He returned several times but always left on bad or controversial terms – which is perhaps why he hasn’t been seen in WWE since 1999.
Macho Man Randy Savage
By 1994, Savage was the last of the headliners from the Hulkamania era in WWE – but was mostly relegated to a position on the commentary team.
Some say Savage was happy to step away from the ring, while others maintain he was frustrated at being out of the limelight.
Whatever the case, Savage departed for WCW out of the blue in November – lured by the promise of another main event run.
It’s well known that his departure upset Vince McMahon, who had been close to Savage – though an undisclosed issue between the pair stopped Savage from ever returning to WWE.
Brock Lesnar
Back in 2002, Lesnar really was WWE’s “the next big thing”. But within just two years he had become sick of the road schedule and had itchy feet for a shot at the NFL.
Lesnar was set to leave after his clash with also-departing Goldberg at ‘Mania XX. The fans – who had rallied behind Lesnar as the future of WWE – turned on Brock during the match.
The result is one of the most awkward and disastrous collisions in ‘Mania history.
Needless to say, fans had forgiven him when he returned in 2012 and assaulted John Cena.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Austin “took his ball and went home” in June 2002 after learning he was booked to lose to then-rookie Brock Lesnar.
Frustrated with his creative direction for months, Austin baulked at the idea of jobbing to Brock in a King of the Ring qualifier with no fanfare or build.
He no-showed Raw and was estranged from WWE until early 2003. Upon his return he claims Vince McMahon fined him $250,000.
Austin wrestled his last match not long after, losing to The Rock at WrestleMania XIX.
CM Punk
The most famous walkout in WWE history. The “Straight Edge Superstar” quit the company the night after Royal Rumble 2014.
Punk had been unhappy with his work schedule and for allegedly being asked to work either injured or while recovering from injuries.
He had been in line for a match with Triple H at ‘Mania XXX, which forced WWE to rethink the show and book Daniel Bryan’s big WWE Championship win instead.
Punk recorded an infamous podcast with Colt Cabana, criticising Vince McMahon, Triple H, and WWE doctor Chris Amann – sparking a lawsuit with Amann that continues to this day.
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