5 WWE Stars Who Suddenly Left After Major Pay-Per-Views

Egos, frustrations, money, creative - it doesn't take much to set a wrestler off, especially one in WWE's upper echelon. Through the years, top stars have had it out with the company's top administrators, chiefly Vince McMahon, and it sometimes hasn't ended well. In those cases, some of the very best wrestlers that have ever graced the ring, genuine future Hall of Famers, have swiftly left the company.

Sometimes this happens in the aftermath of a major pay-per-view. Somewhere in the fallout of one of WWE's biggest nights, tensions mount and frustrations boil over, leading to a main event-calibre superstar taking his leave from the company, at least for a little while anyway. In an ego-driven business, it's not at all surprising when these kinds of blowups take place. While it might seem like a rare event, history has shown that some of WWE's most notable exits came in the aftermath of one of its biggest cards.

Let's stroll back through WWE over the past few decades, and look at a few shining examples...

Egos, frustrations, money, creative - it doesn't take much to set a wrestler off, especially one in WWE's upper echelon. Through the years, top stars have had it out with the company's top administrators, chiefly Vince McMahon, and it sometimes hasn't ended well. In those cases, some of the very best wrestlers that have ever graced the ring, genuine future Hall of Famers, have swiftly left the company.

Sometimes this happens in the aftermath of a major pay-per-view. Somewhere in the fallout of one of WWE's biggest nights, tensions mount and frustrations boil over, leading to a main event-calibre superstar taking his leave from the company, at least for a little while anyway. In an ego-driven business, it's not at all surprising when these kinds of blowups take place. While it might seem like a rare event, history has shown that some of WWE's most notable exits came in the aftermath of one of its biggest cards.

Let's stroll back through WWE over the past few decades, and look at a few shining examples...

5. Mick Foley (Survivor Series 1997)

In all the confusion following the Montreal Screwjob, you knew Bret Hart wasn't going to be appearing again. Others who were outraged by the conspiracy talked of leaving the company, while a disgusted Foley actually did leave the WWF - for one day, anyway.

Believing he could never again trust Vince McMahon, Foley made it clear he had no interest in "coming to work." He missed the next day's Raw, but after talking to administrator Jim Cornette, and realizing he didn't want to breach his contract, Foley returned on Tuesday.

4. Jake Roberts (WrestleMania 8)

The fallout of WrestleMania in 1992 saw Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper make scheduled exits, but Roberts' was just slightly more sudden. "The Snake" felt slighted about being passed over for the Pat Patterson's vacated booker position, and gave his notice.

Roberts wasn't expected to leave immediately following WrestleMania 8, but he made sure that it happened. Before his match with The Undertaker, Roberts demanded his written release be prepared, or he'd walk out. Roberts got his wish, worked the match, then left.

3. CM Punk (Royal Rumble 2014)

Maybe you've heard of this one. Punk had been sour on the goings on in WWE for some time, whether it was the unsatisfactory booking, or a persistent sickness (later revealed to be a staph infection) that he claimed WWE medic Chris Amann refused to do anything about.

After spending much of the 2014 Rumble match in a fog due to a concussion, Punk had a huge row with Vince McMahon and Triple H the following day, culminating in a fed-up Punk walking out on the promotion. He was officially terminated from the company months later.

2. Stone Cold Steve Austin (WrestleMania X8)

Austin walked out of WWE twice in 2002, the latter case making more headlines, and proving to be much more controversial. Earning less mention was the walkout that occurred less than 24 hours after Austin defeated Scott Hall on the grandest stage.

Austin was unsatisfied with his booking at the time, and his four months as a babyface once more felt extremely lacklustre. Frustrated with his creative plans, Austin went home for two weeks, missing the first-ever WWE Draft, but returned one week after to join the Raw brand.

1. The Ultimate Warrior (SummerSlam 1991)

Warrior had been announced as part of the SummerSlam main event, but six weeks before the card, he sent a letter to Vince McMahon, demanding a large payout for WrestleMania 7, as well as special considerations and demands, making it clear he'd sit out if his wants weren't met.

McMahon responded by acquiescing to Warrior's demands, but that was only to ensure that Warrior worked the pay-per-view. Upon returning to the locker room at SummerSlam's end, Warrior was informed that he'd been suspended indefinitely, leading him to quit the company.