5 Wrestling stars you didn't know had quit WWE

Many wrestling stars spend their entire career working towards a role in WWE, but it appears that a stint in the company is more than enough for some of their roster.

Whilst the likes of The Undertaker, Natalya, Triple H, and even Shawn Michaels have had lengthy WWE careers, many stars have opted to walk away when their contracts have come to an end, or even asked for their release so that they can explore other opportunities.

WWE opens up a new world for many stars that gives them a spotlight, John Cena, The Rock, and even Eva Marie have been able to take advantage of this spotlight by moving onto a career in acting. Other stars have been able to find careers elsewhere, or even returned to WWE when their initial plan for a career outside of the ring has failed.

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#5. Maryse

Maryse is now technically still seen as a WWE superstar since the former Divas Champion is often seen on SmackDown alongside her husband The Miz. Maryse initially came to WWE through the Divas Search, but when she was unsuccessful in the competition, WWE signed her and sent her to Ohio Valley to learn the ropes.

Maryse went on to become one of the highlights of the Women's Division at that time, but back in 2011, she opted to walk away from the company because she had some plans to open her own company.

Maryse told Slam Wrestling back in 2011 that only a WrestleMania main event would bring her back to the company.

"I am working on a big project called House of Maryse...I knew in my heart that I wanted to leave WWE for a long time. I'm a businesswoman. I need to build and grow and I didn't have any interest in the WWE anymore. I was like, next! My manager was happy when he heard of my release. He said to me, 'Now we can start working on the serious stuff.' I'm ready for a new chapter in my life. I have been with the WWE for six fantastic years, but now I want to do more. I would go back to WWE for a million dollars and a main event match at WrestleMania, but no TNA."

Of course, Maryse has since returned to WWE and partnered her husband The Miz since WrestleMania 33. The couple also now has a successful reality TV show called "Miz and Mrs".

#4. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is now seen as one of the biggest draws in WWE as a former Universal Champion and the man who ended The Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak more than six years ago. However, things haven't always been plain sailing for the "Beast Incarnate".

Back in early 2004, Lesnar's deal with WWE was coming to an end and he had a desire to pursue a career in the NFL. So strong was Lesnar's desire to try and succeed on the football field that the up and coming star - who was the youngest WWE champion in history at the time - decided to leave the promotion.

Bruce Prichard recently recalled that Lesnar had made up his mind and decided that he wanted to quit.

“Brock just sat me down and said, ‘Hey, I’m quitting.’ It was that simple. It wasn’t a long explanation, it wasn’t blaming anybody or anything. He had obviously given it thought and had a plan. ‘I’ll do whatever you guys want me to do, but you’re not going to talk me out of it.’”

Lesnar returned to the company back in 2012 after a successful stint in UFC. If anything, Lesnar's time in MMA has only added to the edge that he now has in the ring.

#3. AJ Lee

AJ Lee was at the top of her game in WWE back in 2015, where see sat as the longest-reigning Divas Champion in company history. She was heavily featured, alongside Paige, as one of the key Superstars fighting for the Women's Revolution. However, out of nowhere, she announced her retirement from WWE the night after competing at WrestleMania 31.

Lee had some medical issues with her spine towards the end of her career, but one of the deciding factors in her retirement was the on-going legal issues between her husband CM Punk and WWE.

Punk had walked away from the company the year before - and was then fired by WWE for breach of contract. This led to a long legal battle with WWE, and their head doctor Chris Amann.

Lee opted to retire from the company rather than quit since this was an easier way for the star to garner a release from the contract she was under with WWE. AJ hasn't stepped in a wrestling ring since her retirement and has gone on to release a New York Times best selling autobiography, which has now been turned into a TV series.

#2. Beth Phoenix

WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix is currently one of the voices of NXT, but the former WWE Women's Champion was another name that decided to walk away from the company when she had desires on starting a family with fellow Hall of Famer Edge.

Phoenix was stuck in a women's division that wasn't moving forward back in 2012, so she asked the company for her release, and was fired (on screen) by RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero.

Whilst Phoenix stated that her reason for leaving WWE was because she wanted to focus on having a family, she later revealed that she was:

"Really frustrated with where the women were at from a company standpoint, and the investment that was being made in us. I felt in my heart I had done my best, and I'd try really hard to change things but, at some point, I just got really frustrated."

Phoenix has since returned to the ring and has made multiple appearances in pay-per-view matches since the "Women's Evolution" has taken place.

#1. Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the biggest names in WWE history. The former six time World Champion became a household name due to his success in the ring.

Austin was one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era and has since been able to return to the company regularly in different roles to help push forward rivalries in the modern day.

Even though Austin is now in a place where he can come and go from WWE, this wasn't always the case, since he's another star who once decided to quit the company.

Austin was unhappy with a script that he was handed back in June 2002, when he was booked to be the star who would put Brock Lesnar over in a King of the Ring qualifying match. Stone Cold decided to walk out of WWE, get on a plane home, and refuse to return to the promotion.

Talking about his decision to leave, Austin admitted that he hadn't handled the situation well:

"What I should've done was gone to the building man to man, face Vince McMahon and said 'Hey you know I don't really like it and here's why I don't like it'...I'm extremely hot right now and I want Brock to do well and you got a real blue-chipper right there, he's an absolute phenomenal freak, and he's very charismatic, he's gonna draw a lot of money but not right now."

Austin argued, though, that he should have been better treated by WWE:

"It's my time and we need to do something else, and if you do want to do that match well let's promote it, let's build it, and let's make something of it then make some money on a pay-per-view, and so I should've went there and talked to Vince man to man, face to face and sell it rather than going home—it was the dumbest thing I could ever do."

Austin later returned to the company and settled his issues, but this was seen as one of the most controversial moments in WWE history.