The 411 Wrestling Top 5: The Top 5 Talents WWE Should Pick Up If TNA Goes Under

The 411 Wrestling Top 5: Hello everyone and welcome to 411 Wrestling’s Top 5 List. We take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 wrestling will have the ability to participate and give us their Top 5 on said topic. So, onto this week’s topic…

Week 312 – Top 5 Talents WWE Should Pick Up If TNA Goes Under

Previously we made room on the WWE roster, so now the question is this; If TNA happens to fold and the roster becomes fair game, what 5 talents should WWE pick up?

Wyatt Beougher
5. Kenny King – I’m honestly surprised that this didn’t happen already at some point between the conclusion of the second season of Tough Enough and King signing with TNA for the second time in 2012. I think if TNA does fold, it’s more likely now because of King’s history on Tough Enough and the fact that he’s one of a handful of alumni of the show still competing at a relatively high level. While he quickly annoyed me as the little yapping dog of MLK, King’s actually done some pretty fine heel work of late, and his in-ring abilities would make him an asset to either the main roster or NXT.

4. Taryn Terrell – While this signing isn’t likely to happen given the circumstances that led to her initial release from the company and some of the things she said about WWE after being released, Terrell’s drastic improvement from her days as Tiffany is enough to keep her on my list. I would love to see what she could bring to the NXT Women’s Division and if she could improve even more as a performer under the tutelage of Sara Del Rey. And obviously, she could add some depth to the main roster Divas as well, but I think NXT is probably the more desirable spot if she actually wants to continue to show her wrestling chops.

3. Bobby Roode – WWE should’ve signed Roode each of the last two times his TNA contract was up, and, for the life of me, I have no idea why they didn’t. With Daniel Bryan almost redefining the size parameters necessary to be a WWE main eventer, Roode definitely fits in that wheelhouse at 6’0″ and 240 (billed), he’s a solid hand in the ring, decent on the mic, and can work face or heel convincingly. On top of that, he’s Canadian and the WWE haven’t really had a top-flight Canadian star full-time since Edge retired. Roode could join Zayn and Owens (and Tyson Kidd if they ever decide to push him outside of the tag team division) as the next generation of Canadian WWE stars, and he’s closer to the WWE Main Event Look than either of those guys.

2. Awesome Kong – The fact that WWE brought Kong (as Kharma) back after her initial leave of absence gives me hope that this one could actually happen, but I’m still waiting on Kharma to kill some Bellas dead. Plus, Kong is far too awesome (pun fully intended) to not be on television regularly. and she definitely brings an entirely new dimension to the Divas division that no one on the current main roster can match. And while I think WWE are trying to groom the Rock’s cousin Lina into their version of Kong, she hasn’t even debuted on NXT television yet, so it may be a few years before she’s ready to fill a role that Kong could step into tomorrow.

1. Ethan Carter III – If the game show version of NXT had been voted on like American Idol or other competitions like that (and we could trust WWE not to rig the votes), Derrick Bateman would’ve won his season in a landslide. He went on to steal the show on the Redemption season of NXT (once it devolved into a format closer to the NXT we know today)…but then he died horrifically in a fireworks factory explosion. Fortunately, his well-heeled cousin, Ethan Carter III, soon appeared on the American wrestling landscape, taking TNA by storm. Carter possessed Bateman’s wrestling ability and expressive mannerisms, but where Bateman was goofy and patriotic, Carter was driven and underhanded. I’m not sure there’s a talent in TNA with a bigger upside than Carter, and it would be a crime if WWE didn’t sign him if TNA does close their doors, if for no other reason than to honor the memory of his dearly departed cousin.

Kevin Pantoja
5. The Wolves – There was a lot of temptation to put a Knockout on this list but looking at their list, none of them really stick out. I mean, I’d like to see Awesome Kong return and I love Madison Rayne but I don’t want to see them in the WWE as much as the guys on this list. We start with the Wolves. They had a tryout in NXT and I don’t remember exactly what happened but it didn’t work out. I think that these two could bolster a relatively lackluster tag team division in NXT and would like to see them get a shot.

4. Bram – Here’s a guy who already kind of has an in to the WWE. He’s married to NXT darling Charlotte and was an original member of the Ascension. I think he’s one of the guys in TNA with the most potential and could be an asset to the WWE. I wouldn’t pair him up in a tag team again, as I think there’s some singles possibilities there. Granted, I’m not sure if he’ll be able to stick out in the loaded and crowded NXT roster, but I think he’ll do fine.

3. Bobby Roode – If I’ve heard right, Bobby Roode has tried out for the WWE before and got denied. I could be wrong as it was just a rumor I heard. Regardless, Roode is great. When they gave him the “It Factor” nickname, it wasn’t just a moniker. He really has all of the tools needed to be a star. The only real thing that could stand in the way is his age. He’s getting up there in the years and that could stump any long-term future with the company. However, he could be part of the company in a similar fashion to Samoa Joe right now.

2. Austin Aries – For a while, I felt that a guy like Austin Aries wouldn’t really get a chance to shine in the WWE. But, with the recent additions of guys like Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and others, it shows that, at least in NXT, guys who had carved out a niche in the indies can be successful. Austin Aries’ attitude may not make him the most popular guy in the locker room but it’s hard to deny his talent. He already has worked with the company previously on motion capture stuff for the video games so he must have some connections.

1. Ethan Carter III – An incredibly easy top choice here. Derrick Bateman was fun on his season of NXT but I didn’t think much of him. Enter his move to TNA and the debut of Ethan Carter III. I didn’t watch the beginning of his run but once I started viewing he wowed me. I realized that this dude was the single best heel in all of wrestling. Gone were the goofy Bateman expressions and attitude and in stepped a cool and confident character. I believe that he is the biggest missed boat that I can think of in the WWE. More than John Morrison, Carlito, etc. If there is a chance the EC3 character can be in the WWE, I would jump on that opportunity.

Eric Palmer
5. Amazing Kong – If WWE wants to really give divas a chance, they should rehire Kong. She’s was dominant in her short time in WWE and was over huge because she is the exact opposite of every other diva on the roster. She could have amazing matches with any of the NXT girls, as well as the likes of Paige and, yes, Nikki Bella.

4. Jeff Hardy – I’m not personally a fan of Jeff Hardy, but there’s no doubt he moves merchandise. It’s a no brainer to bring him back if they can afford to. He’d give an extra top face to the roster and probably have some really solid matches with the likes of Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and the other rising stars of the WWE.

3. The Wolves – If the WWE is serious about rebuilding the tag team division, there are few teams that are better to bring in than The Wolves. They would have some awesome matches with the Lucha Dragons, New Day and Kidd & Cesaro especially. I’d love to see them bring their talents north.

2. Bobby Roode – Bobby Roode has all the skills, and the look, to make it in WWE. I’m surprised he hasn’t ended up there at all in recent years. He’s been very consistent, and I think he would do very well in the WWE.

1. Ethan Carter III – I think him getting fired from WWE the first time was perfect for Carter’s career. He was hilarious as Derrick Bateman, but man, as ECIII he has taken his performance to a whole different level. He’s gold on the mic and he’s solid enough in the ring to get over with a larger audience. I would love to see him back in WWE sooner than later.

Mike Hammerlock
5. The Wolves – I’d have them higher if it weren’t for Davey Richards’ abrasive personality. Rumors were abound they were headed to the WWE back in 2013. Didn’t happen. Still, the Wolves are a ready-made tag team that has history with a huge chunk of the WWE/NXT roster. Eddie Edwards and Richards could work hot matches from day one. It also would be kind of cool to see a true tag team enter the WWE. When’s the last time the WWE brought in a seasoned tag team to be a tag team? The Wolves would be something different in the mix, a duo that entered the WWE looking to prove it’s the best in the world.

4. Bobby Roode – I’m not one of those who thinks Roode would turn into an all-conquering force in the WWE, but I think he’d be a dynamite worker on the NXT roster. He can grind out *** matches. Roode-Zayn and Roode-Balor would be dynamite. On top of that, Roode could give every hot, new talent a hoss match. Great measuring stick guy for the WWE’s next generation of wrestlers. If he never stepped foot in the WWE, that would be fine. NXT has evolved into a place where Roode would be a perfect fit. Though if they put him on the senior roster, I’d love to see a Roode-Goldust tag team. They’d be spectacular.

3. Jade/Mia Yim – The WWE probably could poach a number of women from the TNA roster. Havok would be my normal choice from a youth/upside standpoint, but she’s been inactive in TNA long enough that I’ve stopped counting her as part of the roster. Not far behind her is Jade, known better as Mia Yim on the indie circuit. She’s 26 and doesn’t look like everyone else (in a good way). Most of all, she can wrestle. She’s learned the business the old-fashioned way, hitting the road for promotions like CZW and Shine. Last year she became the first pro wrestler to win a title belt in China. Her cosplay gimmick with Leva Bates (aka Blue Pants) is a ready-for-WWE character. I think it was a bit of coup for TNA to sign her. Soon as she hits the market again, the WWE should rush to the front of the line.

2. Kenny King – He’s had an interesting career since breaking into the business in 2002 via Tough Enough – TNA, ROH, FIP. It takes a while for a pro wrestler to put it all together. King seems to have found himself in the ring and in front of the camera. For me, the leading question would be, if I hand this person the ball can he/she run with it? King isn’t going to be a main event player, but he could be effective in the mid-card. That’s where the talent needs to take half-baked ideas and erratic air time and make something out of it. King has done that recently in TNA. One of the highest compliments you can pay to a wrestler is to say you’re excited to see what he does next. I’m there with King. He seems ready to do his best work.

1. Bram – I know his penchant for drinking too much and breaking the law got him booted from NXT a few years back, but he brings serious intensity to the ring. Bram comes across as a dangerous, unhinged man. Pro wrestling relies on folks like that. For instance, that Steve Austin guy managed to turn a short fuse and hard living into pro wrestling virtues. Bram’s in touch with his inner hooligan. Plus, his father-in-law Ric Flair probably can put in a good word for him. “He’s my designated driver these days!” I think it’s a little too soon for Drew Galloway to make a WWE return and Ethan Carter III needs a solid championship run somewhere before he comes back to the WWE fold. Yet Bram could immediately up the violence quotient in all the right ways. Sure, they might have to convince him not to pull a blade job when cutting a promo for WWE Superstars, but that beats trotting out another half-assed corporate creation. The E needs some authenticity, some passion, dare I say it – some ruthless aggression. Bram would be an excellent addition to the roster.

MICHAEL WEYER
5. KENNY KING Maybe he wasn’t totally ready after Tough Enough but he sure is now, proving himself as X Division champion and with some great ring work. He’s improved on the mic, he’s boosted himself well, can really carry a crowd along and while he may not be World Champion material, he’s a guy who can steal a show with some great moves and spark the mid-card and a backbone like that is something WWE can utilize well.

4. THE WOLVES It’s true that they can be abrasive backstage and reportedly that was a reason WWE didn’t sign them on a few years ago. However, no one can deny the incredible skill the Wolves have, they’ve proven it in ROH and TNA as champions, able to hold a crowd with amazing moves and carry anyone to a fantastic match. Their addition to WWE would be perfect, you can see some great bouts with New Day, Ascension and others and may restore some glory to the tag division, something quite good for the company’s future.

3. ETHAN CARTER III He took a character that should have been horrible and made him one of the most entertaining on the TNA roster. The guy has true talent, far better than the “Dixie’s nephew” bit and a new character in WWE can free him up from that to really cut loose. He’s an awesome heel with great mic work, not sure if true main event but can surely spark up the midcard as IC or US champion and any fresh guy there is something WWE can use a lot more of.

2. BOBBY ROODE Probably TNA’s biggest home-grown success, he’s moved from a great tag team wrestler to a true main event level champion. He can cut a terrific promo as well as engage in a wild brawl and can really get a crowd going as heel or face. A heel does suit him better so it’d be great if WWE gave him a real shot and could be a major new face for the main event that the company could use.

1. AUSTIN ARIES He’s a fantastic worker and truly awesome on the mic. He’s proven himself with multiple title wins in TNA and really taken off as one of their big stars. Hook him into WWE as more himself than a real character and you can have a new main event level star in no time. The guy really is one of the best things TNA has to offer and can easily move to the big time in WWE to brighten things up as needed.

Bob Colling
5. Bobby Roode – I’m not sure how Roode never managed to get a run in the WWE. The guy has developed into a fantastic all around performer. Perhaps having the TNA original label on him will hurt, but Roode could be very similar to Kevin Owens in terms of success in the WWE if he were to be snatched up.

4. Austin Aries – Five years ago it would be highly unlikely that Aries would get a reasonable shot in the WWE. Now, with the emergence of NXT and the talents such as Owens, Zayn, Balor and others able to shine, Aries could be a great piece to the puzzle there. Aries is great in either a face or heel role, and is rather underrated when it comes to his promo abilities. Aries would fit in very well with the NXT group and could talk his way into the main roster at some point.

3. Bram – I had not seen much of his NXT work with the Ascension but from what I have seen of him in TNA, he is a talented guy who has a great look. Considering his look, he could be a fixture in the Wyatt Family reunion rumors that have been going on.

2. Ethan Carter III – By far the most entertaining heel TNA has had since Roode’s run in 2012. Carter had a run with NXT before it became popular and thus I don’t associate him as a WWE guy. Carter has mastered the cocky attitude and easily a dislikable guy. I think his persona would generate great heat not only in NXT but with the WWE fans as well.

1. Drew Galloway – Drew has been tearing it up in Evolve and is showing why he had the gimmick of the Chosen One in the WWE previously. While the independents would be losing a great talent, he should be displaying what he has to offer on a bigger stage.

Scott Rutherford
5. Kurt Angle – I would do this but with about a million conditions built into his contract. Firstly, he must take a drug test every week (blood & urine) and undergo a breathalyzer test before even entering the building. If he has one failure, he’s gone. I would also only sign him to a Brock Lesnar type contract and only bring him out for PPV’s. He’d be an effective filler for shows that Lesnar doesn’t work. He can be used in a role working with upper card guys and introduce a bunch of fresh new match-ups while he’s there. If the guy can prove he’s clean and stay clean I would give him a go.

4. James Storm – Around when he won the TNA Championship a couple of years back, James Storm had managed to put it all together, the look, the gimmick, the persona and a nifty catch phrase. He had a charisma about him and as the story goes, the WWE didn’t seem interested in him when his contract was due. This type of short sightedness astounds me, even after knowing that this is how the WWE has operated for nearly a decade. It’s perplexing because he seems to fit the WWE mold more than most. He’s more of a ground-based wrestler and would more easily adapt to the WWE-style. Even now, I think he could come in, spend a little time in NXT and then get a good few years out of him before he reaches 40.

3. Ethan Carter III – Ethan is an interesting case. He was a guy that was in the WWE system for a while before being released. Given a chance by TNA, he’s managed to turn it into something quite entertaining as he’s now positioning himself as a main eventer. He may be a good example of someone that comes into WWE developmental, learns for a while, then the WWE releases them to get experience working elsewhere and to get some seasoning. After a while he can be brought back and hopefully be ready to go. Having that grounding in the WWE working style means they can come back and instantly know what is required but the time away has allowed them to grow and develop unique character traits that can set them apart.

2. Austin Aries – With the WWE intent on turning NXT into a regular touring brand, it would be wise to selectively stock the roster with performers that have experience and indy credibility. He can be a guy that you can build NXT around because he has what the NXT crowd loves but he can also help guys that are still learning to work, in the ring where the older trainers can’t be. Sara Del Rey has managed to make a career within the WWE in a similar role (though not with the in-ring component) and with Aries getting into his late 30’s, this type of role could be one that keeps him earning a good living for quite a while.

1. Dixie Carter – Purely for the perverse entertainment of what storylines she’d be booked into by Vince who would probably view this as fetish porn.

YOUR TURN KNOW IT ALLS

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