5 WWE stars who've been more successful in rival promotions

Making it as a main eventer in WWE is incredibly difficult. Even if a superstar has all the talent in the world, they won't get a push unless they fit a certain mold. Navigating the organization's backstage environment and circumventing some of the lackluster material is also a tricky proposition.

During the Attitude Era, the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock - who knew how to protect their characters - could shoot down wayward ideas and work with the creative team to come up with fulfilling storylines.

Most modern-day WWE Superstars don't have this luxury and are weighed down by scripted promos, which prevent them from organically connecting with the audience. Only the most talented performers, such as John Cena and Paul Heyman, can overcome these constraints and eventually gain more freedom.

Other organizations, such as AEW, have a more collaborative environment which allows them to get the best out of their roster. Professional wrestlers often thrive when they're allowed to have input in their performances, which is why so many flourish outside the WWE setup.

With that being said, here are 5 WWE stars who've been more successful in rival promotions:

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#5 Two-time WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe

A badass with almost other-worldly skill inside the ring, Samoa Joe has earned rave reviews from almost every promotion he's worked for. When he was promoted to the main roster, it almost seemed like a foregone conclusion that he'd be one of the biggest stars in WWE.

While he had his moments, Joe was hampered by injuries and ultimately fell short of establishing himself as a headline act. Prior to joining WWE, the Samoan Submission Machine was unanimously acknowledged as the best wrestler in the world in 2005, winning the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's "Match of the Year" and "Most Outstanding Wrestler" awards.

He had an incredible match with Kenta Kobashi, which is highly regarded by several modern-day performers. Joe also went on to become part of Impact Wrestling's Holy Trinity -- alongside AJ Styles and Chrisopher Daniels -- and played a vital role in putting the promotion on the map.

#4 Inaugural Universal Champion Finn Balor

While he was almost always featured as one of the top stars in NXT, Finn Balor has spent the majority of his time on the WWE main roster in the mid-card. Even though Balor won the Universal Championship soon after his RAW debut, he was forced to vacate the title due to an injury the very next day.

By the time he returned, the landscape had changed, and Balor found himself a long way from the main event picture. WWE opted against reuniting him with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, even though the trio had a great deal of success in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Balor still feels relevant when he dons the paint and assumes "The Demon" persona, but he was one of the best characters in professional wrestling as the leader of The Bullet Club. The group became so popular that, at one point, its merchandise was commonplace at professional wrestling shows around the world.

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#3 Three-time WWE United States Champion Miro

Miro FKA Rusev was positioned as an important act at certain points in his WWE run, but he's taken his game to a new level in AEW.

The Bulgarian star started off as an unbeatable monster and had a run as the United States Champion until he dropped the title to John Cena at WrestleMania 31.

A few years later, he got the "Rusev Day" gimmick over with the fans and became one of the biggest merchandise movers in WWE. But the higher-ups opted against giving him the push he deserved.

During his run with AEW, Miro has managed to combine his monstrous presence with a dose of personality. His promos are incredibly entertaining, and he's now one of the most entertaining characters in professional wrestling.

#2 Former WWE Champion Jon Moxley

Jon Moxley - who wrestled as Dean Ambrose in WWE - burst onto the scene at Survivor Series 2012 as a member of The Shield, helping CM Punk retain the WWE Championship. Over the next couple of years, The Hounds of Justice established themselves as one of the most popular acts in WWE.

While Roman Reigns was always Vince McMahon's hand-picked star, the hardcore fans thought that Jon Moxley was the most talented performer in The Shield, comparing him to legends such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Terry Funk.

Moxley, unfortunately, never lived up to his potential as a singles star during his WWE tenure. He was weighed down by a goofy character and never came to terms with the scripted promos. He eventually left the promotion when his contract expired in 2019.

Moxley joined AEW and hit the ground running, elevating his work in the ring and on the microphone. He instantly connected with the audience and defeated Chris Jericho to win the AEW World Title at Revolution 2020.

The 35-year-old carried AEW through the pandemic, with his work earning him the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's "Wrestler of the Year" award for 2020 and the No 1 spot in the PWI 500.

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#1 Former TNT Champion Cody Rhodes

A third-generation professional wrestler who looked like a movie star and could cut incredible promos, Cody Rhodes seemed destined to become one of the biggest stars in WWE.

The Legacy stable - also featuring Randy Orton and Ted DiBiase Jr - was intended to serve as a launching pad for Rhodes and give him the exposure he needed.

However, as Rhodes was climbing the card as a singles act, WWE's main event picture was clogged by returning stars, as well as the rise of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. The former Intercontinental Champion soon lost his way and left WWE in 2016 after growing frustrated with his position in the company.

Rhodes soon lived up to his potential and made his mark with numerous other promotions. However, his greatest contribution to professional wrestling was the role he played in organizing the All In event in 2018, which eventually led to the birth of AEW.