3 superstars who want to return to WWE and 3 who definitely don't

WWE releases have come in thick and fast over the past few months. Many high-profile stars departed the company in 2021. At the same time, several are open to making their return.

While there are a number of former WWE Superstars currently populating AEW, IMPACT Wrestling, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, others are hoping that they will receive a call from WWE.

Meanwhile, some former WWE superstars have made it clear that their time with the company has now come to an end.

The following list looks at just three former WWE Superstars who want to make their return and three who don't.

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#6. Wants to return: Former WWE Superstar Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman was released from WWE earlier this year and has since sat out his non-compete clause. The Monster Among Men recently competed in EC3's Free Your Narrative, but he's yet to join another promotion.

However, recent reports suggest that the former Universal Champion is holding out in the hopes that he receives a return call from WWE.

It is currently rumored that Strowman wants to return to WWE, but the company has no plans for the former star to be a part of current storylines.

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#5. Doesn't want to return: The Undertaker

The Undertaker is one of the best-known wrestlers in the world, but the legend announced his retirement from the company last summer and has since stayed true to his word.

The Deadman has moved on to other projects, including his most recent Netflix movie alongside The New Day entitled: Escape The Undertaker.

During a recent interview with Eonline, The Deadman reiterated that he has no plans to return because he doesn't want fans to be disappointed with his work.

“My days in the ring are done. It’s not because I don’t want to be in the ring. More than half my life has been spent in the sports entertainment ring. So in my mind, I can still see everything. In my heart, you know I want to be out there, but it’s at a point where my body just can’t deliver and I don’t want to cheapen the legacy of that character. I’d hate for people to pay money to see me work and be disappointed.”

The Deadman is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame when the company rolls into Texas for WrestleMania 38 next year. That may be the next time he is seen on WWE TV.

#4. Wants to return: Former WWE Superstar Chelsea Green

Chelsea Green was shockingly released by WWE earlier this year as a cost-cutting measure. At the time, she had only recently been promoted to the main roster and was setting up for future storylines.

The former NXT star has since made her way over to IMPACT Wrestling alongside her real-life partner Matt Cardona. However, she has made it clear that she would be open to returning to WWE as part of a specific storyline.

“Honestly, if they called me and said 'Do you want to be Lilly?', I would [return] in a heartbeat. Because that is totally the type of character that I just feel like we need to see, and I want to be that person.”

Lilly was destroyed during Alexa Bliss' recent feud with Charlotte Flair, which could be a setup to make her enter WWE as a real person. Green is currently under contract with IMPACT Wrestling, but could return to WWE if the opportunity rises.

#3. Doesn't want to return: WWE Hall of Famer Batista

Batista officially retired from WWE in 2019 after losing his match against Triple H at WrestleMania 35.

The Hall of Famer has since clearly stated that he has no plans to return to the ring. That makes sense since he has gone on to make a successful move over to the acting business.

Earlier this year on Zack Snyder’s Justice Con, Batista talked about the topic of lacing up his wrestling boots again.

"When professional wrestlers retire, they don’t really retire. They kind of retire. But, you know, when the paycheque’s big enough or the event’s big enough, they come out of retirement. It’s just not that way with me. I exited the business in such a storybook way, I’d never go back. I would never take away from that. I really got to finish on my own terms and nothing is going to take away from that."

Batista missed his Hall of Fame induction due to his hectic schedule, so he will make an appearance in WWE in the near future to be officially inducted.

#2. Wants to return: Former WWE Superstar Cameron/Ariane Andrew

Ariane Andrew was known as Cameron throughout her time in WWE where she was one half of The Funkadactlys alongside Naomi. She was released from the company in 2016, but is still holding out hope that she could make her return.

The former WWE Superstar recently opened up to WrestlingInc about reaching out to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon regarding a comeback.

“I am very torn if I want to say this, but I actually reached out recently and was like, ‘I would love to come back,’ and, will I be back? That’s to be determined, but I actually reached out to Vince [McMahon] himself and was like, you know what, I’m going to go to the person who’s at the top. I miss being in that world of wrestling.

The former WWE Superstar also disclosed how McMahon responded to her message.

“He actually responded, which is crazy. I know he’s a busy person. He was like, ‘I’ll pass this along to John Laurinaitis,’ who’s head of talent relations."

Eva Marie recently made her WWE return, so it's not out of the question that Cameron could be next on the list.

#1. Doesn't want to return: Former WWE Champion CM Punk

Former WWE Superstar CM Punk is one of the biggest names in the pro-wrestling business. He sent shockwaves through the industry with his AEW debut.

As part of the debut, Punk cut an incredible pipebomb-style promo where he made it clear that WWE return was never on the table. The Best in the World also reiterated this in several interviews building up to his recent AEW in-ring debut.

“I don’t think I considered it,” Punk said. “Three years ago, five years ago I don’t think AEW even existed. I don’t think going back to WWE was ever really, logically, on the table.”

CM Punk has also revealed that his wife AJ Lee isn't in a position to ever return to the ring due to a neck injury. Instead, Lee recently returned to the pro-wrestling business as an executive producer for Women of Wrestling.