5 WWE Superstars who had more success outside the company

WWE is the biggest professional wrestling promotion, one that many younger wrestlers dream to join when they start their careers. With a rich history, dedicated worldwide following, and impressive paychecks, the company has been the numero uno destination for wrestlers in the 21st century.

WWE employs a large roster collected from different walks of life. Many are former independent wrestlers and veterans of the business. Some are scouted from the sports industry, especially football, weightlifting, and amateur wrestling. Some female wrestlers have their roots in the fitness and fashion circle.

Many superstars fail to find their footing amid the company's complicated pecking order. Their success in other promotions before the beginning of their journey with the company often outweighs their WWE accomplishments.

Here is a list of five superstars who have had more success outside WWE.

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#5 Former WWE United States Champion Ricochet

Ricochet signed with WWE in 2018 and has since accomplished nothing on a major scale. He initially displayed much promise, winning the NXT North American Championship during his stint in the former black-and-gold brand.

When he started wrestling on the main roster, fans anticipated major accomplishments. The company, however, had other plans for the athletic superstar.

Ricochet became part of an unsuccessful tag team with Aleister Black and won the United States Championship. He earned a WWE Championship opportunity against Brock Lesnar but lost without being able to put up much of a fight.

Before joining WWE, Ricochet was considered an important talent full of athleticism, with an unending arsenal of high-flying moves. One of his matches against Will Ospreay even managed to divide fans and wrestlers alike.

His best days saw him wrestle as Prince Puma in the bizarre realm of Lucha Underground. He won the promotion's top singles championship twice.

#4 Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn

While WWE Superstar Sami Zayn desperately hangs on to kayfabe by declining to accept his previous identity as the masked El Generico, he cannot even disagree that his best days were spent under the moniker. As El Generico, he won the PWG World Championship twice.

Zayn saw much success in NXT and is still considered one of the best performers in the brand's history. On the main roster, he has always been considered a handy wrestler capable of filling the gaps.

Whether as a heel or a face, he has never been considered a headliner, and unlike his frenemy Kevin Owens, has never won a world championship in Vince McMahon's company.

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#3 Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa

Akira Tozawa was one of Dragon Gate's earliest home-grown talents and found immediate success in the promotion. Considered an important wrestler by the promotion, he won championships in both singles and tag team divisions.

Tozawa is capable of superb performances in the ring, as seen during his time on 205 Live. However, WWE is content with him playing a ninja in comedy segments.

His quest for success is limited to reigns with the ridiculous 24/7 Championship. When battling major stars, he acts as an enhancement talent.

#2 Mia Yim

Mia Yim's WWE career started with a strong run in NXT, but she was doomed as soon as the company decided to align her with the infamous Retribution.

Fortunately, WWE has decided to shed her Reckoning character. She was drafted to Monday Night RAW this year but has not been part of the show since.

Before her WWE days, Yim was a force to, pardon the pun, be reckoned with. She won the TNA Knockouts Championship and had a solid run in independent promotions, being part of numerous memorable matches.

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#1 WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura

When Shinsuke Nakamura first joined WWE, fans believed the company would use him as a main-eventer. One of NJPW's new Three Musketeers, he won everything there was to win in the promotion, regularly winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and headlining major events.

Nakamura's NXT run was fantastic, and while he has earned some success in the main roster, he is hardly "The King of Strong Style" as he once proclaimed himself to be.

Although being the current Intercontinental Champion gets him featured on television frequently, over the years, he has rarely been considered a challenger for world titles in WWE.