5 WWE stars who shouldn't have re-signed

WWE is the biggest professional wrestling company in the world but they've been found wanting in the creative department over the last couple of years. Admittedly, WWE's done an excellent job with Roman Reigns, but they've also squandered a number of talented performers who had the potential to become main eventers.

A few years ago it was difficult for wrestlers to walk away from a big contract and take a chance on the independents, but there is now a credible alternative in the form of AEW.

Tony Khan's promotion has all the buzz and has proven it can make the most of stars such as Jon Moxley, Miro, and Malakai Black who were criminally underutilized in WWE.

AEW's success has also opened up the possibility of fresh match-ups for WWE veterans who could do well with a change in scenery. With that being said, here are 5 stars who shouldn't have re-signed with WWE.

#5 Ten-time WWE Champion Randy Orton

After using AEW as leverage, Randy Orton inked a new five-year deal with WWE in November 2019. He went on to have a memorable feud with the returning Edge and revived the Legend Killer persona in 2020. Going back to his roots rejuvenated Orton and made him one of the hottest acts in professional wrestling, earning him a tenth WWE Championship reign.

However, once he dropped the title, he moved on to a feud with Bray Wyatt and lost his way after a lackluster program as many of The Fiend's opponents did. Orton is currently one half of the RAW Tag Team Champions alongside Matt Riddle. RK-Bro can occasionally be entertaining, but it's hardly an act worthy of The Viper.

Even though he had an incredible 2020, Randy Orton would've benefited from a move to AEW. The upstart promotion has a young and dynamic roster which would've presented him with a plethora of fresh opponents. Orton has simply been in the WWE system for too long and would've greatly benefited from a change of scenery.

#4 Two-time World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio

In an interview with Sports Illustrated earlier this year, Rey Mysterio revealed that he had renewed his WWE contract.

He reportedly chose to extend his contract even though AEW had offered him similar terms financially after his son, Dominik, was given a position on the main roster.

The Mysterios have been booked inconsistently and there has been on-again, off-again tension between them on screen. Despite Rey expressing his reluctance to feud with Dominik, reports suggest that a father-son feud is right around the corner. The fans are hardly invested in seeing them face each other and this program won't have any real heat.

In retrospect, Rey Mysterio might have been better served jumping ship to AEW and allowing Dominik to find his own way in WWE.

#3 Five-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy signed a two-year deal with WWE in 2020 after returning from an injury that he suffered in April 2019. Despite getting his "No More Words" theme back, Hardy hasn't been featured in a program of note and has primarily been used to put over younger talents.

The former WWE Champion is a bonafide legend and is still beloved by professional wrestling fans. There are a number of promotions all around the world who would have been queuing up to sign Hardy and feature him in a prominent position.

The 44-year-old has admitted that he's in the twilight of his career and should move to a company where he's properly appreciated, once his WWE contract expires in 2022.

#2 Two-time WWE Champion AJ Styles

In March 2019, AJ Styles came to terms on a new WWE contract, which extended his stay with the promotion by five years. He turned 44 in June 2021 and has hinted at retiring once he sees out his existing deal.

Admittedly, Styles' tenure with WWE has been a massive win for all parties involved. He's had the opportunity to display his wares on the biggest platform available, while WWE has acquired a talented performer who's stolen the show on several occasions.

After signing his new WWE contract, Styles reunited with The Club and had a feud with The Undertaker which culminated in the Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36, a memorable bout that allowed The Deadman to end his career on a high.

However, Styles has since floundered in the midcard and has recently been involved in a tag team with the uninspiring Omos. This is a misuse of a modern-day great.

If Styles intends to call time on his career in the next few years, it would be a travesty if he doesn't get to have dream matches with the likes of CM Punk and Kenny Omega.

#1 Two-time United States Champion Samoa Joe

Joining AJ Styles on this list is another star who made his name in Impact Wrestling. Following a stint as a commentator on RAW, Samoa Joe was released from WWE. However, he soon accepted another offer from the company and returned to NXT on June 15.

Joe was initially positioned as William Regal's enforcer and began a feud with NXT Champion Karrion Kross. He received a title shot at TakeOver 36, pinning Kross to win the belt on a show that bid farewell to a memorable era of NXT. Joe was immediately forced to relinquish the title following an undisclosed injury.

If the Samoan Submission Machine does return to in-ring competition, he's going to be a part of NXT 2.0 -- which has returned to purely being a developmental territory.

Outside the walls of WWE, a generation of wrestlers inspired by Joe are setting the world of professional wrestling ablaze.

Even his former contemporaries -- CM Punk and Bryan Danielson -- have been reinvigorated and are enjoying a new lease on life. It's unfortunate that Joe won't have the opportunity to be a part of this revolution.