Recently WWE has gone out of it's way to sign a ton of big name independent talents from around the world. Some people believe this is due to the success of Daniel Bryan and rising stars Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. But, I think there's a more sinister motive behind it.
First, let's take into account that Seth Rollins has been in WWE since August of 2010 and didn't make it onto the main shows until late 2012. He spent close to 3 years in development. C'mon, it's Seth Rollins former Ring of Honor champion, he hasn't had to develop anything. Let's look at Daniel Bryan now. Admittedly he only spent one year total in FCW and NXT before making to television. But, they fired him without hesitation for something minor. However they had no choice but to bring him back. Daniel Bryan suffered from the same disease as Cryme Tyme. The fans loved him so much they were going to complain until he came back.
But what does that have to do with anything? Kevin Steen, Prince Devitt, KENTA, El Generico, and Pac have all been signed in the last year by WWE. Now that may say that WWE is interested in signing young pre-developed talent, but that's not so. It may sound crazy but WWE is attempting to keep them away from other companies. WWE has no issue sticking experienced competitors in NXT to rot as long as it means that nobody else can have them.
Again, this may sound crazy but lets look at Prince Devitt/ Fin Baylor. Long before he was rumored to sign with WWE he was rumored to be signing with TNA. Now lets look at Kevin Steen. In a world where the internet has made many different professional wrestling promotions accessible to almost anyone Kevin Steen has made a name for himself. Kevin Steen has made a name for himself in the same place CM Punk and Samoa Joe did. It's a world where Colt Cabana can be one of the most popular wrestlers in the world and make a living without WWE or TNA. Colt Cabana is a world wide draw. As is Kevin Steen. Why wouldn't WWE swoop him up before he's picked up by TNA and turned into the next big draw.
They don't just sign talent in put them in wrestling roles either. Drake Younger was an independent wrestler who made a name for himself the same way Dean Ambrose did. Wrestling hardcore death matches in CZW. Doing this he became one of the most recognized independent wrestlers in the country. Then WWE signed him. Then he became a referee. Not on the main shows but on NXT.
The names change but the story stays the same. WWE has the ability to offer people more money than any other American wrestling company. That's just a fact. Recently WWE has been doing some of it's lowest ratings in the last decade. TNA is once again pulling in over one million viewers weekly and just signed a contract that will allow them to televise more than two hours of weekly content. WWE Network subscriptions are much lower than expected and WWE is bleeding money. Meanwhile Ring of Honor is slowly expanding the amount of homes it's broadcast in.
Right now in America any little thing could change the balance of which wrestling company is ranked #1 can be changed. Not as easily as a new TV deal or a larger audience. But, with the right talent it can easily shift. Alberto Del Rio has already stated that in 2015 we'll see him on TNA television. Right now Del Rio is the hottest free agent because CM Punk may actually be retired. TNA has already managed to pick up the hottest free agent. If they can pick up Del Rio it can't be shocking if they were able to pick up El Generico.
Seriously it sounds crazy. But think about it. How crazy does it sound? WWE has suddenly turned from wanting in house trained superstars to wanting pre-used independent wrestlers. Is it so crazy that they want to keep these men and women from other companies? I'm just saying, keep your mind open to the idea.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
First, let's take into account that Seth Rollins has been in WWE since August of 2010 and didn't make it onto the main shows until late 2012. He spent close to 3 years in development. C'mon, it's Seth Rollins former Ring of Honor champion, he hasn't had to develop anything. Let's look at Daniel Bryan now. Admittedly he only spent one year total in FCW and NXT before making to television. But, they fired him without hesitation for something minor. However they had no choice but to bring him back. Daniel Bryan suffered from the same disease as Cryme Tyme. The fans loved him so much they were going to complain until he came back.
But what does that have to do with anything? Kevin Steen, Prince Devitt, KENTA, El Generico, and Pac have all been signed in the last year by WWE. Now that may say that WWE is interested in signing young pre-developed talent, but that's not so. It may sound crazy but WWE is attempting to keep them away from other companies. WWE has no issue sticking experienced competitors in NXT to rot as long as it means that nobody else can have them.Again, this may sound crazy but lets look at Prince Devitt/ Fin Baylor. Long before he was rumored to sign with WWE he was rumored to be signing with TNA. Now lets look at Kevin Steen. In a world where the internet has made many different professional wrestling promotions accessible to almost anyone Kevin Steen has made a name for himself. Kevin Steen has made a name for himself in the same place CM Punk and Samoa Joe did. It's a world where Colt Cabana can be one of the most popular wrestlers in the world and make a living without WWE or TNA. Colt Cabana is a world wide draw. As is Kevin Steen. Why wouldn't WWE swoop him up before he's picked up by TNA and turned into the next big draw.
They don't just sign talent in put them in wrestling roles either. Drake Younger was an independent wrestler who made a name for himself the same way Dean Ambrose did. Wrestling hardcore death matches in CZW. Doing this he became one of the most recognized independent wrestlers in the country. Then WWE signed him. Then he became a referee. Not on the main shows but on NXT.The names change but the story stays the same. WWE has the ability to offer people more money than any other American wrestling company. That's just a fact. Recently WWE has been doing some of it's lowest ratings in the last decade. TNA is once again pulling in over one million viewers weekly and just signed a contract that will allow them to televise more than two hours of weekly content. WWE Network subscriptions are much lower than expected and WWE is bleeding money. Meanwhile Ring of Honor is slowly expanding the amount of homes it's broadcast in.
Right now in America any little thing could change the balance of which wrestling company is ranked #1 can be changed. Not as easily as a new TV deal or a larger audience. But, with the right talent it can easily shift. Alberto Del Rio has already stated that in 2015 we'll see him on TNA television. Right now Del Rio is the hottest free agent because CM Punk may actually be retired. TNA has already managed to pick up the hottest free agent. If they can pick up Del Rio it can't be shocking if they were able to pick up El Generico.
Seriously it sounds crazy. But think about it. How crazy does it sound? WWE has suddenly turned from wanting in house trained superstars to wanting pre-used independent wrestlers. Is it so crazy that they want to keep these men and women from other companies? I'm just saying, keep your mind open to the idea.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
