5 shocking WWE firings nobody saw coming

For the men and women who make it on the WWE roster, joining the company must be a dream come true.

The biggest wrestling promotion in the world, the majority of wrestlers probably grew up watching WWE programming, so to make it is both a rare honor and a culmination of a lifetime of sacrifice.

And yet, though it may have taken a lifetime to make it to WWE, it can all be gone in a second.

Sometimes, a Superstar has been sent packing for their actions, or the actions of others, but it's always shocking to the WWE Universe who has seen them grow.

Here are five WWE Superstars who were released by the company and took everybody by surprise.

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#5 A-Double leaves in controversial means

Aries was a huge signing to the company, but left after just one year

Austin Aries joining WWE was a dream come true for many fans.

After all, Aries had been one of Impact Wrestling top stars, so having the former World Champion join the McMahon-led promotion opened up a ton of potential dream matches.

Joining at 37-years old, the WWE probably should've capitalized on Aries from the start, but instead put him in NXT.

From there, Aries would be used to help prop up the fledgling 205 Live brand, feuding with the recently turned Neville.

After failing to take the Cruiserweight title from the Geordie though, Aries fell down the card and was shockingly released after just one year.

Though initial reports suggested that A-Double was upset about his position, later reports stated that the former Impact star was highly unpopular backstage.

Whatever the reason, don't expect the self-proclaimed 'Greatest Man Who Ever Lived' to return to the company anytime soon.

#4 Mr. Kennedy... KENNEDY!

Kennedy won Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 23

Mr. Kennedy had all the making of a WWE World Champion.

He was in great condition, could go in the ring, could easily get the fans to hate him, and was a phenomenal talker.

But despite an impressive start, defeating over half a dozen former World Champions, Kennedy never reached the lofty highs he was seemingly destined for.

To be fair, backstage issues, Wellness Policy violations and an injury did sideline that loudmouth, who made his return to the company in mid-2009.

And yet, four days later, he was fired.

Despite his backstage problems, none of these attributed to his firing, which took everyone by surprise.

Instead, it was the anger of Randy Orton, as Kennedy had been in a bad position for the RKO.

Getting the loudmouth fired for this may be a bit extreme, but the company were happy to oblige their WWE Champion.

#3 Mickie James goes for no reason

James was released by the company in 2010, but returned six years later

Long before the Women's Revolution was a thing, there were a few Divas who were able to hold their own in the ring.

One such lady was Mickie James, who debuted in WWE in 2005, and impressed everyone with her in-ring ability as well as her acting ability as a character.

But after an incredible career, she was gone, after being released in early 2010.

The move certainly left many fans scratching their heads, as James had been part of the tasteless Piggy James angle, which parodied the company's genuine views on her appearance.

It seems unlikely that the company would fire her just for her alleged weight issues, and though the country star did return full-time in 2016, her departure from the company still has many fans completely perplexed.

#2 The Hulkster's past comes back to haunt him

Hogan was shockingly fired in 2015 for racist comments years prior

Whether fans love him or hate him, it's hard to deny that Hulk Hogan may be the single most iconic star in wrestling history.

The guy of the 1980s and early 90s, Hogan transcended the industry, becoming a staple of pop culture, so it was no surprise that the company forged a deal for him to return in 2014.

But just one year later, the Hulkster was fired after leaked tapes from eight years earlier were released where Hogan used racial slurs.

A shocking moment, it was a wake-up call for many, both fans and non-fans, that the squeaky clean babyface wasn't all he seemed.

Hogan has since apologized numerous times for what he said and is now committed to his charity work, helping the Boys and Girls Club of America.

#1 Daniel Bryan chokes

Bryan was fired after choking Justin Roberts with his own tie

When the original version of NXT premiered in February 2010, fans speculated on who would be the company's next breakout star.

And though fans had never heard of the majority of the rookies, one name that some fans knew was Daniel Bryan, who'd entertained fans or a decade on the indie scene.

And though Bryan didn't win the contest, he certainly had a strong showing as part of the Nexus.

Then, everything went down.

Appearing on the June 27 edition of RAW, Bryan and the NXT rookies ambushed the show, though the WWE Champion crossed a line choking Justin Roberts with his own tie.

Firing Bryan instantly, it was a departure that nobody saw coming, though thankfully Bryan would return months later as part of team WWE, and would help topple his former partners at Summerslam.