10 Wrestlers Who Are In Da Wrong Company

All change for some of the industry's top names, and not a moment too soon...

Jon Moxley WWE
AEW/WWE

Moving between organisations as a pro wrestler has always been about finding the delicate balance of talent, timing and opportunity

The right environment can transform a promising performer into a global superstar, but all too often, wrestlers find themselves in the wrong promotions at the wrong times, or simply working at the whims of promoters and presidents who don't know how to harness their individual set of skills. Be it the constraints of booking, creative direction, or even the overall ethos of a company, anything can stifle potential if mishandled, leaving fans and the wrestlers themselves yearning for what might be lurking on the other side. 

In today's ever-evolving wrestling landscape, where WWE, AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, TNA and other promotions each offer distinct atmospheres and opportunities, the misplacement of talent is the most obvious it's been in a generation. Wrestlers who once thrived under one umbrella are prone to floundering under another, with true potential trapped beneath the surface, waiting for the right platform to unleash renewed vigour.

There's never been more money to make either. Go and bother those billionaires for a better tomorrow...

10. Miro

Jon Moxley WWE
AEW

Miro's 2021 AEW run showcased his immense talent and undeniable charisma better than just about any other time in his career, but it feels as though the 'Redeemer' is still searching for the right new narrative to truly elevate him to the main event status he understandably feels like he deserves.

With creative freedom beyond anything he'd had prior, Miro appeared to be a can't-miss during an iconic run as TNT Champion, but a combination of injuries, AEW's crowded-feeling roster and constantly moving creative focus might have permanently stifled his potential with the company. A return to WWE could be the revival he needs. As Rusev, 'The Bulgarian Brute' had some of his most memorable moments, and WWE's well-structured storytelling at present could provide him with the stability and spotlight he needs to thrive. Under Triple H's creative direction, there's a renewed emphasis on character depth and long-term booking, and as either a killer on an undefeated streak or babyface with a beloved catchphrase, the former US Champion would be both experienced and box-fresh. 

A rejuvenated Rusev would have bangers opposite the likes of Drew McIntyre and Gunther, while a reignited rivalry with Roman Reigns or capitalising on an opportunity AEW missed with Cody Rhodes are all instant wins as far as potential opponents go. And in the cases of the latter two in particular, might finally help him cement a place amongst the upper echelon for good. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back almost 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 60,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett