10 Underrated Stars That WWE Should Never Have Released

2. Derrick Bateman

Another always-the-bridesmaid story here: Michael 'Derrick Bateman' Hutter was in three stages of WWE developmental without ever being called up to the main roster, ranging from two years in OVW from 2007, four years in FCW until 2012, and participation in the fourth season of the deadeyed gameshow version of NXT.

Hutter worked with a vast number of WWE's developmental talent over his time in OVW and FCW, many of whom transitioned successfully to the main roster. Despite his evident mic skills and personality, WWE clearly didn't see anything of massive interest in him, and he was finally released in May 2013, reappearing in TNA four months later as authority figure Dixie Carter's spoiled nephew Ethan Carter III.

Hutter has been a revelation in TNA as EC3. His character work has been ruthlessly brilliant, the man holding his own in the ring and on the mic with legends of the industry (and Matt Hardy). It's hard not to see WWE's decision to release him as a missed opportunity. But then, they have talented men and women already on the main roster which they choose not to do anything with, so perhaps it's not so surprising.

Watch EC3 against El Ligero and Pete Dunne for WCPW in 2016...