Top five WWE superstars who lost their main event push after getting injured

Injuries have ruined many superstars' push to the top of the ladder

Injury has been one of the worst nightmares that can happen to a wrestler,  that too on the peak of their careers is even more worse. It could literally ruin the superstar's push and would have to stand behind the line for the next push. Here is a list of the top five superstars who lost their main event push after injury.

5. Dolph Ziggler

You would have forgotten that Dolph Ziggler was about to be a top star of the company in 2013, after successfully cashing-in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Alberto Del Rio to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Dolph Ziggler was on the monumental push after years but it didn't last longer when Ziggler suffered a legitimate concussion and was put away from action. He vacated the championship belt and Alberto Del Rio was once again awarded the championship. After his return, Ziggler was not given a push to the top card, which made him stuck between a jobber and mid carder.

4. Mr. Kennedy

Mr. Kennedy is one of the most charismatic wrestlers in the business, with great mic skills and extraordinary in-ring talent. WWE witnessed his abilities and pushed him right away by making him feud with the Undertaker in 2006. He gave a tough fight to the deadman and he got the further push from the company to be the Mr. Money in the Bank.

He won the contract and was about to be a World Champion, but everything ended very soon when Kennedy suffered a triceps injury and went out of action as a result of surgery. Vince altered his plan and made Kennedy drop his briefcase to Edge. Who used that opportunity to cash-in on the Undertaker and win the World Heavyweight Championship.

3. Bray Wyatt

Bray Wyatt returned at the 2022 Extreme Rules after months of teasing, and a huge anticipation. He came out with a new gimmick and everyone's eye was on him, his mentally unstable gimmicks and Uncle Howdy characterisation was all over the company and made everyone go mad.

After his return, he had only one match against LA Knight, which was filled with mind games and a showcase of unique storytelling. When the whole focus was on him, he challenged Bobby Lashley by making it a mighty clash at WrestleMania. But unfortunately the match was disbanded from the match card after Wyatt suffered a real life injury and was pulled out of television and never came back yet.

2. Finn Balor

Finn Balor was one of the hottest free agents when he got signed to WWE in 2014. He had a great run in the NXT with two NXT Championship reigns. In 2016, when WWE re-introduced the superstar shake-up, Balor was one of the top picks on the Raw side. With great anticipation, he was given an initial push right away by adding him to the Universal Championship Tournament to crown the inaugural champion. Balor had a match on the main roster against the top wrestler of the time "The Big Dog" Roman Reigns and won the match. He climbed to the top spot by becoming one of the finalists of the tournament. 

WWE urged Balor to bring the Demon King gimmick to Raw, which created a huge excitement among fans, when WWE had limited alter egos at that time. Balor became the inaugural Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins in the finals. But, Balor broke his shoulder during the match which forced him to forfeit the title within the next 24 hours. After being cleared from the injury, Balor was not given the same push yet.

1. Samoa Joe

When it comes to spoiling the push with an injury, Samoa Joe should definitely be one on the list. Samoa Joe is one of the most decorated wrestlers with great swag, charisma and wrestling style. Even before his WWE debut, he had his fame, which resulted in a great reception and anticipation.

In 2017, Joe was called for the main roster debut and was pushed right away with making feud with the top stars including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman and others. He soon was inserted into the Universal Championship contenders list and had multiple Universal Championship pursuits and came close to winning the title. However after a knee injury, he was pulled away from the television. He then returned and was pushed again to feud with Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship, which was again spoiled by a foot injury.

In 2021, Joe was given another push to challenge Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship but failed. He entered the King of the Ring Tournament where he was eliminated in the semifinals by Corbin and again was away from in-ring action with a broken thumb. He then became a Color Commentator on Raw until the near end of the year.

Joe returned to in-ring action in December 2023, where he joined Kevin Owens & Viking Raiders to face Seth Rollins, Buddy Murphy and AOP, where they got defeated. Joe once again suffered an injury during the commercial shoot and was released from the company.