10 Wrestlers Who Proved There's Life After WWE
6. Matt Hardy
Like Bubba Ray Dudley, Matt Hardy was a leading star WWE's thriving tag team division for years without ever being given much of a chance - save for a few months in 2005 when his personal life suddenly became an irresistible booking angle - to break out in his own right.
For a short while, the same pattern emerged in TNA, where he began teaming with brother Jeff, already one of the company's biggest stars, soon after making his debut in 2014. But, by the time he left, he didn't just find opportunities in the main event - he was the main event, to the extent that they named an entire show after him.
Broken Matt became arguably wrestling's biggest story of 2016, and many are now clamouring to see him reprise the role inside a WWE ring - which represents a huge turnaround from the man who was once regarded as a perennial wrestling bridesmaid.