'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
To make it big in the WWE or any other top wrestling promotion can be a long and arduous journey, but nothing is certain in pro wrestling.
Some Superstars stay at the top for years, while other talented stars may last just a few months or years. A mix of luck, talent, and timing are key to succeed in WWE, but not everyone has a dream WWE career.
For those that don't make it, a backstage role as a producer, writer, or part of the creative process.
WWE currently has several former WWE Superstars as well as pro wrestlers from other promotions working in backstage roles.
Trending
Let's take a look at ex-wrestlers who currently have backstage roles in WWE:
#1 Road Dogg
In the Latest WWE NEWS, Road Dogg was a part of the hugely successful The New Age Outlaws and then later with D-Generation X. A 6-time tag team champion, Road Dogg transitioned to a backstage role after his retirement, and then became SmackDown's head writer before he retired from that position earlier this year. He is currently part of the creative team backstage in WWE.
#2 Billy Kidman
Billy Kidman was an important fixture in the Cruiserweight division in the Attitude Era, and won the title four times. Kidman left the WWE in 2005 but returned a few years later in 2010 to work as a producer in WWE, and has been a part of a few brawl segments in WWE recently.
#3 Abyss
Abyss or Christopher Joseph Parks, was syonymous with TNA/Impact Wrestling, becoming one of their most important stars, which is why it was a surprise to see him sign for WWE as a producer in 2019. The Impact Hall of Famer was with TNA/Impact from 2002 to 2019 becoming a Grand Slam champion at the promotion.
#4 Mark Henry
Mark Henry has been one of WWE's most phenomenal WWE Superstars in the promotion's rich history. The WWE Hall of Famer, post his in-ring career, has moved seamlessly into an important backstage role, working as a producer, and a mentor, of sorts, for WWE's young Superstars.
Henry revealed earlier this year that he's going to be more active backstage to ensure that there is order backstage in the locker room: “People arguing and fussing about stuff, There’s been a couple of people be habitually late, which Vince hates. But he don’t have Taker or Me. Booker’s not there — only at TV. Big Show’s been injured. So all the guys that hold peoples’ face to the fire is not there.”
#5 Finlay
Regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers in WWE history, Finlay joined the company back in 2001 as a trainer, and then later made his in-ring debut, before retiring and then returning as a backstage producer.
He was last seen on WWE television during the women's Royal Rumble match, where he allowed Becky Lynch to replace Lana in the match.
#6 Gregory Helms (The Hurricane)
Gregory Helms, who was known as The Hurricane in WWE, had a good run as a lower mid-card/mid-card talent in WWE, being in the company for almost a decade between 2001 and 2010.
After a few years in the independent scene and in promotions like TNA, he returned to WWE at the 2018 Royal Rumble and then returned in 2019 as a backstage producer.
#7 Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett is a WWE and TNA Hall of Famer, having been a great performer for WWE, WCW, and TNA. Jarrett surprisingly returned to WWE, despite being one of the promotion's main competitors with TNA/Impact.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 and had a mini feud with Elias in 2019, which began at the Royal Rumble. He joined WWE as a producer in 2019 as well, and is one of the many creative personnell backstage.
#9 Kurt Angle
Another WWE and TNA Hall of Famer, Kurt Angle will be regarded as one of the greats of the pro wrestling industry, having achieved everything there is to achieve.
Angle returned to WWE in 2017 and was assigned as the RAW GM after his decade away from Vince McMahon's promotion. Following his final match at WrestleMania 35 against Baron Corbin, he announced that he will be working backstage as a producer.
Also Read: WWE News: Kurt Angle reveals his current WWE role
#10 D-Von Dudley
One-half of the popular Dudley Boyz tag team, D-Von Dudley has also been inducted in both WWE and TNA Hall of Fames, and returned to WWE in 2015, and then worked as a backstage producer. He has appeared a few times on-screen since becoming a producer on WWE television.
#11 John Laurinaitis
Not many will know that former WWE RAW GM, John Laurinaitis, was actually a wrestler. Laurinaitis wrestled in NWA and promotions in Japan, before taking a backstage role in WCW and then WWE.
He rose up the ranks, working as Vice President of Talent Relations, before being demoted to a producer's role in WWE. Laurinaitis was also briefly the RAW GM.
#12 Sonjay Dutt
Another Superstar who was previously with TNA/Impact and joined WWE earlier this year is Sonjay Dutt, who is currently working as a producer backstage. Dutt had been working as a producer at Impact and was one of their most prized assets, which is why his move to WWE came out of the blue.
He and Abyss joined WWE in 2019 from Impact to work as backstage producers.
