5 Superstars that could benefit from leaving WWE

The hallowed halls of the WWE are often a highly sought after destination for the men and women who choose to embark on a career in the squared circle. And for those wishing to make their mark in Vince McMahon's sports entertainment conglomerate, the odds are not in their favour.

Very few will ever step foot inside of a WWE ring, and of the ones that are lucky enough to do so, even fewer will enjoy a career the likes of John Cena or "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

For those exceptionally gifted athletes that do land a spot in the WWE, a select few will never get the chance to ascend to superstardom, even though they possess all the necessary tools.

Sadly, they're often content to hang around the middle-to-bottom of the roster while creative figures out what to do with them next, figuring it to be a much better option than being future endeavoured.

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But for some, bucking the trend and walking away from a guaranteed contract is just what was needed to enjoy the type of career they'd always envisioned. Cody Rhodes realized a trip through the indies would be more fulfilling than portraying a pseudo-Goldust type with Stardust. Sami Callihan did the same, and he couldn't be happier.

Here's a list of 5 Superstars who could potentially do better by handing in their two weeks notice to the WWE.

#1 Cesaro

Cesaro is a tremendous in-ring performer

He can insult you in five different languages. His feats of strength while inside the ring are nothing short of mesmerizing. And he's no stranger to gold, with a championship resume that many pro wrestlers can only dream of.

So why is it that the Swiss Superman often finds himself as an afterthought? A performer deserving of so much more than he's received, Cesaro could learn a thing or two from Cody Rhodes and reap greater rewards back in ROH, a promotion where he's already enjoyed so much success.

#2 Baron Corbin

Could the Lone Wolf do with a tour of the independents?

Alright, alright. Put down the pitchforks. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but The Lone Wolf isn't as bad as you're thinking. Before landing in NXT, he spent some time in the NFL and won a few Golden Glove awards on the boxing circuit.

His main roster career has included winning the third annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase, which he cashed in to no avail.

Unlike many superstars, though, Corbin has no previous indy wrestling experience, having learned his craft down at the Performance Center. Nowadays, he seems to have gone from being the next big thing to floundering around the mid-card.

Say what you will about him, the guy has the look to be a star, but maybe a little time pounding the pavement on the weekends performing in bingo halls and VFW's across the country will help him develop that IT factor.

#3 Bayley

She's WWE's resident hugger, and for all the success she had while performing in NXT, you'd think she would've set the women's division on fire upon arriving on Raw.

She did manage to capture the red brand's women's title in the first quarter of 2017, but she's mainly been lost in the shuffle ever since dropping the strap to Alexa Bliss a little over two months later.

The major factor here is that while her happy-go-lucky persona and flailing tube guy entrance went over like gangbusters in an intimate setting such as Full Sail in Orlando, Florida, the appeal didn't seem to follow her to the main stage.

While WWE loves to tout the success of their current women's division, programming is still built around the male performers, leaving only a few minutes of time for the ladies of Raw and Smackdown. And that precious TV time seems to be spent more on the likes Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, and Charlotte Flair.

#4 Dolph Ziggler

The Showoff reportedly pines for a run on the Japanese circuit

If there's ever been a case made for someone that could benefit out from underneath the WWE banner, it's poor Mr. Ziggles. He's been on Vince and Co.'s payroll in one iteration or another since '04, and he's accomplished quite a bit during his tenure.

A multi-time IC champ, a run with the tag straps, and even a handful of World Title stints are certainly milestones becoming of a landmark career, but when those runs ended and Dolph fell, he fell hard.

He spends more time playing second fiddle than he does leading the pack. For someone that's pushing 40 years old, if he wants to be remembered for more than just the guy who can sell well, he may want to start exploring companies like New Japan and ROH.

#5 Sami Zayn

Having been a standout performer in promotions such as ROH and PWG, many predicted great things for the former El Generico when he signed with WWE. A champion who had captured gold all around the world, he would go on to win the NXT World Championship from Neville at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution.

Things have been a little different since his main roster call-up, however. When he's not battling former best friend Kevin Owens in a feud destined to last forever, he's being fed to the likes of Aiden English, Braun Strowman, and Baron Corbin.

The WWE may be the 800-pound gorilla of the pro-grappling scene here in the U.S., but more and more athletes are discovering that they can make a living and build an impressive career outside of the behemoth.

Just as fans have an extensive assortment of viewing options should they wish to follow a promotion that doesn't have major cable television clearance, the men and women who choose to chase after superstardom inside the squared circle also have a variable smorgasbord of employers with which to ply their trade.

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Edited by anirudh.b