5 Superstars who left WWE at the peak of their careers

#2 Bret Hart

Bret Hart left the company on a very bitter note in 1996.

Bret Hart was arguably WWE's biggest star in the mid-'90s. Hart who made his debut for the company in 1984, went on to become one of the most decorated wrestlers in its entire history. Bret was a five-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, one time United States champion, two-time WWF Tag Team champion, two-time King of the Ring winner and joint Royal Rumble winner along with Lex Luger.

However, despite being such a big name, the company could not afford to pay for Bret Hart's contract. Although "The Hitman" was reluctant to leave, he eventually signed with WCW, WWE's arch-rival at that moment. "The Best there is, the best there was, the best there will be" stands out in this list because he did not leave on his own terms. Also, his departure was planned when he was still the WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Bret Hart eventually lost the championship to his longtime rival, Shawn Michaels.