When looking at the world of professional wrestling, there are many that believe there is only one end all, be all: World Wrestling Entertainment.
And for the longest time, that was the case. As the wrestling business exploded in the late 1990s, everyone wanted to work for the then-WWE — even wrestlers from rival promotions like WCW and ECW. Once Vince McMahon bought both companies, the WWE truly was the holy grail of wrestling.
But as time has gone on, things have changed. And for many talents, the WWE is the dream job they've always wanted. Sure, their ultimate goal may still be to end up in the number one company in the world. But unlike in the late 90s-early 2000s, there is a way to get better on a smaller stage.
The independent circuit.
Once — and in many ways, still is — seen as a farm system at most, the independents have garnered more and more of a fan base for fans who enjoy pure professional wrestling over sports entertainment, something the WWE is. And as the internet has risen, so has the word of the indies. That's why it can be said that Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Evolve, amongst others, are more popular than ever.
When looking at the WWE roster, a majority of their top starters got their start on the indies. But for others, the WWE wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, and instead, they became stars on the independent scene.
Let's take a look at the top 15 wrestlers who used to call the WWE home but have found more success on a smaller stage.
11 15. Kenny Omega
I'm sure many readers are saying, "wait, Kenny Omega was in the WWE?!" Yes, technically he was. And if he made it to the main roster while with the company he'd certainly be higher on this list. Wrestling under his current moniker, Omega signed with the WWE back in 2005 and spent two years in their developmental system known as Deep South Wrestling. While he was primed to break out, Omega was one of the talents to speak out against trainer Bill DeMott and was eventually released from the company. After cutting his teeth in various independents including PWG, Omega became a top tier star with Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestler as a member — and eventually the leader — of Bullet Club. He will be in the main event of NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 11, the promotion's equivalent to WrestleMania, in January.
10 14. Derrick Bateman
Due to his athletic look and athleticism, he didn't last long on the independent scene. The man now known as Ethan Carter III signed with the WWE in 2007 and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling. After working there and in Florida Championship Wrestling, Bateman was an integral member of the original NXT competition shows that aired on television. Despite appearing like the total package, Bateman was released from the WWE and resurfaced in TNA soon thereafter. Now ECIII, he has become one of their top talents, as his mic work, in ring talent, and appearances make him the total package. A two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, ECIII has feuded with nearly every top talent in the company. Besides his work in the Florida-based promotion, he's also working with Evolve.
9 13. Kassius Ohno
Before the WWE was looking at nearly every independent talent, they had Chris Hero. Before signing with the company in 2011, he was one of the top stars on the circuit as he was featured in Chikara, CZW, PWG, and Ring of Honor as both a singles star and as one-half of the Kings of Wrestling with Cesaro. Changing his name to Kassius Ohno, Hero appeared in FCW and was one of the first stars to be a member of the current NXT product. Unfortunately, however, he wasn't what the WWE wanted and the time and lasted just 21 months. Hero returned to the indies and has worked for Dragon Gate USA, Evolve, and House of Hardcore and has continued to be the face of the smaller brands. But for fans that always wondered "what if," those questions may be answered. Reports have been circulating that Hero will be returning to the WWE in early 2017.
8 12. CJ Parker
Unlike many fellow wrestlers, CJ Parker didn't last long on the independents before catching his big break. Just three years into his wrestling career, Parker inked a deal with the WWE and was assigned to FCW in 2011. His time, however, wasn't well spent. Whether it was in FCW or in NXT, Parker was relegated to jobber status, with one of his highlighted moments coming at the opposite end of Kevin Owens' NXT debut at NXT TakeOver: R-Evolution. Realizing he couldn't rise up the card, Parker asked for his release and immediately took his talents to CZW and the UK indie scene as CJP. But ever since he joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015, he's never looked better. Using the name Juice Robinson, Parker has had a renewed energy overseas, and the booking committee is rewarding him for his efforts. At Wrestle Kingdom 11, he will be taking on Cody Rhodes in one of their marquee matches.
7 11. Trent Barreta
If you weren't a fan of the WWE in the late 2000s, you may not remember Barreta. After working his way through the independent scene in New York, he signed a contract with the WWE and was assigned to FCW in 2007. After learning the new style for two years, Barreta debuted on the ECW brand and formed a tag team with Caylen Croft, known as the Dude Busters. Once the brand stopped running, Baretta and Croft were signed to SmackDown and continued their tag team act. There run didn't last long, however, as Barreta was released by in 2013. The move to the independents was a blessing in disguise, however, as Baretta was a standout performer in PWG and Global Force Wrestling.
Now a member of the Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling working relationship, Barreta is one-half of Roppongi Vice, one of the most popular tag teams in those companies. Throughout his time in Japan, he's on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on two different occasions.
6 10. Justin Gabriel
During the inaugural season of NXT and his early days with the Nexus, there was no man that looked to have a brighter future than Justin Gabriel. The resident high-flyer of the group, the South American native had a unique look and skillset that was unmatched at the time. Although he won the Tag Team Championships while also competing for the Money in the Bank, as well as Intercontinental and United States Championships, Gabriel was never able to get past a certain spot on the card. Gabriel quit the day before the Royal Rumble in 2015 and immediately made his mark on the indie circuit. After working for Evolve and Global Force Wrestling as PJ Black, he took his gimmick to Lucha Underground where he has found his niche. The Darewolf captured his first championship with the promotion, as he was one-third of the Lucha Underground Trios Champions.
5 9. Alberto Del Rio
It's acceptable if you don't know Omega, Ohno, Parker, Barreta, or Gabriel. But if you're a current fan of the WWE product, you'll certainly know Alberto Del Rio. Before signing with the WWE (for the first time), he was known as Dos Caras Jr. while appearing in Mexico's AAA and CMLL. Sure, his first stint came with much success; not only was the newly named Del Rio a WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble winner, and Money in the Bank winner, he was also a frequent member of the main event scene. Unfortunately, however, a run in with a WWE employee made him quit in 2014. While he did perform on some pretty big stages as Alberto El Patron (Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground, just to name a few), Del Rio returned to the WWE in late 2015.
It was same old, same old, however, as Del Rio was booked poorly in his most recent stint. Quitting once again, Del Rio has most recently wrestled for the World Wrestling Council and What Culture Pro Wrestling.
4 8. Evan Bourne
Before Neville graced the WWE with his acrobatic ability, there was a man known as Evan Bourne. A mainstay in Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate, as well as MTV's Wrestling Society X, Bourne signed with the WWE in 2007 and debuted on the ECW brand just a year later. Due to his in-ring ability, he became one of the show's biggest stars and was eventually traded to Raw due to his popularity. While he was a Tag Team Champion with Kofi Kingston and also competed for the Intercontinental Championship and Money in the Bank, various injuries hurt his stock and eventually led to his release in 2013. From there, Bourne reverted to his former name — Matt Sydal — and worked for PWG, Dragon Gate, Evolve, and Ring of Honor.
His biggest accomplishments, however, came as a member of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster where he captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice and the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship once. Legal troubles brought a premature end to his stint in NJPW, but it won't be long before Sydal is back in the US scene.
3 7. Rey Mysterio
Is there a star that was more beloved than Rey Mysterio? After starring in ECW and WCW in the mid-to-late 90s, the Lucha star made his way to the WWE. Despite the company's nickname of "land of the giants" during that time period, Mysterio's wrestling ability and likeable personality made him universally loved. He may have been small, but that never held him back, as Mysterio went on to win the Royal Rumble and the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22, his crowning moment. Although he was one of the most respected members of the locker room, multiple injuries led to a parting of ways after his 13-plus year run with the WWE. After wrestling for AAA and some smaller companies, Mysterio made the move to Lucha Underground, where he won their Trios Championship. While he isn't their top star, he is arguably the most popular character.
2 6. Jeff Hardy
Okay, Jeff Hardy may have something to say about the most beloved character comment from the Rey Mysterio slide. From his time wowing crowds in TLC matches as one-half of Hardy Boyz, to his time spent in the mid-card, all the way to his ascension to the WWE Championship, Jeff was never booed and was always a crowd favorite no matter what city he was in. Like many before him, though, injuries and substance abuse was his downfall and the WWE decided that it was best for one of their top stars to leave the company in 2009. Upon his departure, he immediately made his way to TNA where he has gone through many facelifts. Whether it was a part of Immortal, as Willow, or reuniting with his brother, Hardy continues to be loved. But it's his unique portrayal of Brother Nero that has put him back on the map, as the Hardy Boyz' uniqueness and willingness — as evidenced by Total Nonstop Deletion — has been a lone positive in the maligned company.