5 People WWE released within six months of hiring them

#1 Rob Gronkowski (3-month WWE run)

WWE has used high-profile sportspeople in matches and storylines for decades, with the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Mike Tyson, Ronda Rousey, and Tyson Fury all appearing on WWE television in various different roles.

In March 2020, it was announced that NFL star Rob Gronkowski had signed with WWE. His first major role saw him work as the host of WrestleMania 36, while it was widely speculated that he would become an in-ring performer in the future.

Gronkowski won the 24/7 Championship at WrestleMania 36 after jumping from a podium onto a group of Superstars. However, as Sportskeeda’s Tom Colohue reported, WrestleMania turned out to be Gronk’s only notable WWE appearance.

"He filmed WrestleMania which he was always booked for, and apparently, just from that one date, decided wrestling wasn't actually for him. From there, he made the WWE aware that he was considering to return to football and that made a lot of people very annoyed. A lot of people. Not to mention the people who are annoyed at the massive delay that came during the WrestleMania spot because he wouldn't take the bump."

Gronkowski’s WrestleMania spot is believed to have caused a lengthy filming delay – so much so that Vince McMahon performed the stunt himself to show him how it is done – and it was later revealed that he had decided to return to the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In June 2020, Gronkowski made his final WWE appearance when he lost the 24/7 Championship to R-Truth.