#7 The Hardy Boyz
After Jeff Hardy’s fall from grace due to his incessant drug use and deteriorating in-ring performance that led to his release from the WWE in 2003, the Charismatic Enigma dabbled in the indie scene before signing up with TNA. He made a one-off appearance for Ring of Honor in his Willow The Wisp persona. The was the only appearance he carried out before taking some time off from wrestling to focus on his motocross career.
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His brother Matt too turned towards ROH after his release in 2005 and showed had no qualms in trashing WWE and John Laurinitis in a shoot promo. He left within a short span only to return again in 2012 to have a decent run in the company that lasted for two years. He held the ROH Iconic Championship (Matt’s re-branded version of the world title) for a while before leaving ROH again to pursue a career in TNA.
Interesting Fact: Despite being a fan favourite in the WWE, Jeff was booed out of the building in his single ROH match due to his drug-fuelled life and the careless bouts he worked. Sadly for Jeff, his hopes for a rousing welcome were substituted by 'We Want Matt' chants.
#8 Neville
The man WWE creative forgot was a popular draw on the independent circuit. Neville, popularly known as Pac among the indie fan base, appeared in a handful of matches for ROH in encounters against Matt Sydal and Roderick Strong. Neville’s extravagant move-set made him a hot entity for indie bookers, who went out of their way to get him featured on their card.
If Neville continues to tread on the grim path he’s currently on in the WWE, a move back to the indies is a viable possibility with ROH being more than happy to take him under their wings.
Interesting Fact: One of Neville’s ROH matches was against Daniel Bryan in a losing effort.
#9 Paul London
Ring of Honor was the first major company Paul London worked for after passing out from Shawn Michaels’s wrestling school in 2002. He was a big hit with the ROH fans for his high-risk style. His street fight matches in his long-drawn feud against Michael Shane put him on the map.
He left for WWE in 2003 and returned to ROH in 2013 after a decade-long absence in a short and forgettable outing.
Interesting Fact: Paul London is a one-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, having also held the WWE Tag team Championships as part of the popular tag team with The Brian Kendrick. London was also Wrestling Observer’s Most Underrated Wrestler of 2004.