Stars Who WWE Dropped the Ball On

Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona, husband of WWE Superstar Chelsea Green, is a remarkable in-ring performer. The Long Island native spent 15 years with WWE from 2005 to 2020 before being released due to budget cuts. Cardona shone during the Edgeheads storyline and even worked alongside John Cena.

Since leaving WWE, he’s gained fame for his extreme-style matches in other promotions, often alongside former WWE star Steph De Lander. Though he appeared during the buildup to NXT Showdown, he didn’t make the final Team TNA roster. Chelsea recently tweeted about bringing her husband to SmackDown, but only time will tell if this dream becomes reality.

AEW Superstars: Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné

Mercedes Moné, formerly Sasha Banks, was once a cornerstone of WWE’s Four Horsewomen. However, after a controversial exit, she left the company. Similarly, Toni Storm’s tenure with WWE ended abruptly in 2021. Six months later, she shared her frustrations with Renee Paquette, highlighting her negative experience.

Today, Moné is a dominant “belt collector” in AEW, while Storm has captivated audiences as the “Timeless” character. Both have thriving careers, and a return to WWE seems unlikely given their success and fan adoration elsewhere.

Online Models and Part-Time Wrestlers: Elayna Black and Mandy Rose

Former WWE superstar Cora Jade, now known as Elayna Black on the independent circuit, has flourished since her 2025 release. She’s made waves in TNA Impact, Game Changer Wrestling, and Top Talent Wrestling. Her intergender match against Joey Janela at GCW’s Bangin’ in Little Rock showcased her in-ring prowess, which WWE failed to highlight.

Meanwhile, Mandy Rose’s 2022 release stemmed from her FanTime content. She hasn’t wrestled since losing the NXT Women’s Championship to Roxanne Perez on December 13, 2022. Despite her immense talent, her personal content led to her exit from WWE.

Shotzi Blackheart

Shotzi Blackheart never shied away from taking risks. After her WWE contract expired in 2025, she returned to the independent circuit, thriving both in the ring and financially. At Game Changer Wrestling, she’s clashed with Matt Cardona over their shared “Indy God” nickname. Shotzi’s extreme style doesn’t align with WWE’s family-friendly, PG approach, but her current trajectory suggests limitless potential. It will be exciting to see where her career leads next.