10 WWE Wrestlers Who Went On To Better Things
6. Ethan Carter III
Like many on our list, Derrick Bateman was nothing but low-level cannon fodder in WWE. He competed on NXT's third season, but his most notable contributions came through a love triangle with Maxine and Johnny Curtis (the future Fandango), and he was sent back to developmental after the competition's conclusion.
He languished in NXT until May 2013, when the company eventually released him, and joined TNA soon after. He was reborn as the nephew of company president Dixie Carter, an arrogant heel born with a silver-spoon in his mouth known as Ethan Carter III. He was over in an instant, with his electric charisma washing away the ex-WWE stench in no time, and soon became a rare highlight during one of the promotion's darkest periods.
Now a two-time Impact Heavyweight Champion, EC3 remains one of the promotion's greatest modern success stories. His prosperity is built primarily on his look, charisma, and personality: three things Vince McMahon loves, but couldn't harness in WWE. It's a shame, as Carter would fit WWE's current roster like a glove, but he now looks set to ply his trade on wrestling's smaller stages for the remainder of his career.