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WWE recently announced its annual budget cuts and was forced to release several main roster talents. Every year the company has a talent cull which leaves several former WWE Superstars in a position where they are forced to re-evaluate their future.
Over the years, several WWE Superstars have been released from the company, but there are many who don't hold any ill will for the decision and are open to a return.
Many have cut all ties with WWE and made it clear that they won't walk through that curtain for the company ever again. However, there are others who are much more optimistic about returning in the future, if only for a one-off match.
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The following list looks at just five former WWE Superstars who are open to making a return to Vince McMahon's company in the future.
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#5 Former WWE Champion Dean Ambrose/Jon Moxley
Dean Ambrose wasn't released from WWE. Instead, the former WWE Champion decided to allow his contract to expire before moving on to a career in AEW.
Ambrose has been one of the biggest stars to walk away from the company in recent years. Even though he has been quite outspoken about his time in WWE since his departure back in 2019, he would still be open to returning.
Ambrose spoke to Bleacher Report back in January where he was asked about doing business with WWE again. The star, now known as Jon Moxley, revealed that he wouldn't rule it out.
“You gotta say never say never, because you don’t want to run back what you said years later because you don’t know what’ll happen. Just the creation of AEW was so vital to the wrestling industry, and that’s part of the reason why I’m so proud to be a part of it. I wouldn’t rule out ever doing business with them again, we had a mutually beneficial relationship for a long time.”
Ambrose has been part of AEW as Jon Moxley since 2019 and is one of the company's most popular stars. However, he's still a WWE fan favorite and would definitely be welcomed back by the WWE Universe.
#4 Former WWE Superstar Eva Marie
Eva Marie was recently reported to have made her return to WWE and at one point was even part of the internal roster. The former Total Divas star was rumored to be making her return as part of this year's Royal Rumble match, but that didn't happen.
Marie hasn't been seen in a WWE ring since she was suspended from the company in 2016 before her release the following year. However, she has been teasing a return to the company over the past few months.
The former WWE star recently spoke to Muscle and Fitness, where she made it clear that she was open to a return.
“I love WWE so much. I owe my career to Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and of course, Triple H. They took a chance on a no-name kid. When it comes to me stepping back in the ring, absolutely. I mean, I feel like now is the time for some heat and we all know your girl got a lot of that. So, I would love to definitely step back into the ring, it just has to be the right time, and the right moment, and if that opportunity arises, you better believe your girl is coming through.”
Marie was recently seen training at the WWE Performance Center alongside new recruit Parker Boudreaux. But as of this writing, the former star isn't expected to return any time soon.
#3 Former WWE Superstar The Boogeyman
The Boogeyman recently made his return to WWE TV. He appeared as part of RAW Legends Night in a backstage segment where he scared Angel Garza. The former star has also teased making a return to the company to face The Fiend.
There was a time when The Boogeyman was seen as one of WWE's scariest stars. It now appears that the star, whose real name is Marty Wright, wants to face Bray Wyatt's alter-ego.
The Fiend may not be the only star on The Boogeyman's radar either. The horror icon recently took to social media to respond to one of WWE's tweets regarding dream matches for this year's Royal Rumble.
The star appears to have pitched a match against WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. While this is highly unlikely, it's obvious that The Boogeyman is looking for a way back into WWE for one more match, which could be granted if the right scenario was pitched.
#2 Former WWE Superstar Santino Marella
Santino Marella is currently the only male wrestler who has ever entered the WWE Women's Royal Rumble after his run as Santina Marella back in 2020.
The former WWE star has made several returns to WWE over the years. Now it appears the former Intercontinental Champion is helping his daughter become a success in the business. However, he has other plans of his own.
Marella recently noted that he would love to make a return to WWE, but as a commentator. He added that he would want to be himself rather than as his character Santino Marella.
“I do want to go back into the business but as a commentator. I would have to be Anthony Carelli because I don’t want to do commentary as Santino. I think there are going to be opportunities for me post-COVID with one of the major companies. I always want to go to WWE first because they changed my life and I’m loyal, but if they don’t have an opportunity, I’ll go somewhere else."
It's unclear as to whether or not WWE would be open to Marella returning to work behind the commentary desk. That being said, there have been several shakeups recently and Wade Barrett has shown that former WWE stars can be a success behind the desk.
#1 Former WWE Superstar Maria Kanellis
Maria Kanellis and her husband Mike were released from WWE back in April 2020 as part of the budget cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maria's release was the second time WWE had let her go and came just months after giving birth to her second child.
Despite obviously being hurt by the decision, it appears that Maria not only wants to return to WWE in the future, but believes that she will be back one day. However, Maria wants guaranteed money this time around.
"I'm sure that Mike will at some point. That’s just how that company rolls. For me, there would have to be some guaranteed money. I've always done the contracts where it's like you know, there's a downside but that's not guaranteed and two tiny ones. With how many years I've spent in this industry and I gave WWE over 8 years of my life. I think there'd have to be some guaranteed money. I don't know. I'm open to anything, wrestling wise. It's not at the forefront of my mind."
Maria told The Dropkick Podcast back in February that while wrestling isn't at the forefront of her mind at present, it's obviously something that she has thought about.
