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IMPACT Wrestling has been experiencing somewhat of a resurgence over the past 12 months. In addition to working relationships with promotions such as All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, recent big-name signings such as The Good Brothers and Deonna Purrazzo have generated a lot of interest in the IMPACT product. IMPACT has been pulling in record ratings on AXS TV and also trending worldwide on several occasions during major events such as Slammiversary, Bound For Glory and Hard To Kill.
Another factor behind IMPACT’s recent success is the talent at the company’s disposal. IMPACT Wrestling has quietly amassed an impressive roster of talent in recent months. Due to its recent success and impressive talent roster, major companies such as WWE and AEW have been reportedly keeping a close eye on a variety of names under the IMPACT umbrella.
It was recently reported that WWE had already begun making overtures towards certain top IMPACT Wrestling names in order to find out when their current IMPACT contracts expire.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at five IMPACT Wrestling names that WWE should look to sign.
#5 Rosemary
Rosemary has been a staple of the IMPACT Wrestling product since debuting in the promotion in 2016. A former IMPACT Knockouts Champion, Rosemary has proven to be incredibly versatile in the character that she portrays.
While Rosemary's character may be dark, demonic and off-the-wall, Rosemary has shown fantastic range in portraying a villainous, psychotic heel and also a charming, quirky and comedic babyface.
While being a member of The Decay with Abyss and Crazzy Steve, Rosemary helped the duo wreak havoc over IMPACT Wrestling. This lead to memorable feuds and matches against the likes of The Broken Hardys, Beer Money, LAX and more. However, in more recent history, Rosemary has proven to be a comedic, unique babyface during her romance with John E. Bravo and friendship with Taya Valkyrie.
Rosemary's in-ring prowess shown in IMPACT Wrestling
Rosemary’s in-ring work cannot be overlooked either. Rosemary has participated in gripping and thrilling matches against the likes of Su Yung and Havok during her IMPACT Wrestling run.
Given her versatility, experience and supernatural character, one would think Rosemary would be a perfect fit for the WWE Universe. WWE has a wide array of supernatural characters such as “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Alexa Bliss. Rosemary would be a perfect addition into Bray Wyatt’s warped version of the WWE Universe, something that would surely captivate viewers at home around the world.
#4 Trey Miguel
After The Rascalz's departure from IMPACT Wrestling in 2020, many assumed that Trey Miguel would be signed to a WWE contract imminently. At 26 years of age, Trey Miguel hasn't even reached the peak of his professional wrestling abilities yet, which is scary considering his already substantial in-ring talent.
Along with partners Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz, Miguel left IMPACT Wrestling in late 2020, with the faction's final appearance coming at the November 17, 2020 TV tapings. During the tapings Miguel teamed up with IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann to defeat his Rascalz teammates Dez and Wentz. This was then followed by an emotional, tear-jerking send-off from the entire IMPACT Wrestling roster.
It was then subsequently reported that the trio were the recipients of offers from WWE and AEW after their IMPACT contracts had expired. After it was revealed in December 2020 that Dez and Wentz had signed with WWE, many expected Trey Miguel to follow suit. However, that was not the case.
Trey Miguel chooses IMPACT Wrestling over WWE?
Instead, Trey Miguel opted to return to IMPACT Wrestling and compete as a singles talent. While Dez and Wentz are now known as Nash Carter and Wes Lee of the team MSK in NXT, Miguel is pursuing lofty singles aspirations in the IMPACT Zone.
When explaining why he didn't join his teammates in NXT, Miguel cited personal and family reasons for his decision to return to IMPACT. Does this mean that Miguel has burned a bridge with signing with WWE in the future? Only those in power in Stamford and Orlando would know. However, if a talent with the potential of Trey Miguel eventually does become available once more, WWE would be foolish not to consider reuniting the trio formerly known as The Rascalz.
#3 Chris Bey
Chris Bey likes to refer to himself as the "ultimate finesser" in IMPACT Wrestling. Since officially signing with IMPACT Wrestling in 2020, Chris Bey has seen a meteoric rise up the card.
In just under 12 months, Bey captured the first IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Championship of his career and main evented an IMPACT Plus event when he challenged IMPACT World Champion Rich Swann for his title at Final Resolution in December. If the Bey can achieve all of that in one year, imagine what he could achieve in five years. The sky truly is the limit for Bey in professional wrestling.
Despite being signed to a long-term IMPACT Wrestling contract, the professional wrestling world no doubt has its eyes on the development and rise of Chris Bey in IMPACT. Prior to Bey signing with IMPACT Wrestling, AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes admitted that he and All Elite Wrestling were indeed looking at him. Rest assured that if AEW was interested in Bey, then WWE wouldn't have been too far behind.
What does the future hold for Chris Bey in IMPACT Wrestling?
Given the success that Chris Bey has achieved during his first 12 months with IMPACT Wrestling, it's safe to say that those in power in Nashville have lofty ambitions for the former X-Division Champion.
In recent months Bey has once again been involved in the X-Division Championship scene, challenging current champion Manik/TJP on multiple occasions. However, the IMPACT World Championship is truly Chris Bey's final destination in IMPACT Wrestling. After competing in his first World Championship main event in December 2020, it feels like another shot at that gold will occur once again in 2021.
A former X-Division Champion, Bey would be a perfect addition to WWE NXT's cruiserweight division. He could even rise higher up the card in NXT, following the likes of former IMPACT Wrestling stars such as Karrion Kross, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Roode into becoming a future NXT Champion too.
#2 Ace Austin
At 24 years of age, Ace Austin personifies everything that is right about IMPACT Wrestling's current roster: Young, hungry and with a point to prove. Ace Austin has quickly earned a reputation as one of IMPACT Wrestling's brightest prospects.
The Inevitable One is a former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion, the 2020 IMPACT X-Division Star of the Year and the 2021 Super X Cup Tournament winner. Furthermore, when competing in the main event of Slammiversary in 2020 for the IMPACT World Championship, Austin had the opportunity to become the youngest World Champion in IMPACT Wrestling history. While Austin may not have been successful in capturing the IMPACT world title on that occasion, there is no doubt that World Championships are in Ace Austin's near future in IMPACT.
Ace Austin's IMPACT Wrestling contract expires in 2022-2023. So, it's likely that the former X-Divison Champion is going to remain on IMPACT Wrestling screens for the foreseeable future.
However, given the young age and wealth of accomplishments already in The Inevitable One's career, WWE would be foolish not to have Austin on their radar.
Ace Austin's future in IMPACT Wrestling?
While Ace Austin has already captured the X-Division Championship and the Super X Cup Tournament trophy during his IMPACT Career, there are still many accomplishments to achieve.
Austin has formed an alliance with Madman Fulton in recent months on IMPACT Wrestling television, subsequently feuding with current IMPACT Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers. Despite being unsuccessful in their pursuit of the tag team titles, one can't rule out a possible IMPACT tag title run for the team in the future.
Ultimately, Ace Austin will have his sights set on breaking the record in becoming the youngest IMPACT World Champion in the promotion's history. If Austin achieves a historic feat such as that, there's no doubt that WWE will stand up and take notice.
#1 Moose
Without a doubt, 2020 was a breakout year for Moose in IMPACT Wrestling. In April, the former IMPACT Grand Champion appeared at IMPACT Rebellion wearing the old version of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Dubbing himself the "real World Champion," Moose's demeanor and attitude began to change. Moose carried himself differently, walking and talking with a new sense of grit and purpose. As the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Moose defeated the likes of Hernandez, Tommy Dreamer, Jake Something and even a returning EC3 at Bound For Glory.
Moose's recent success as TNA World Heavyweight Champion has led to IMPACT Wrestling Executive Vice President Scott D'Amore officially sanctioning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as a World Championship in IMPACT Wrestling. However, that is not enough for Moose. The TNA World Heavyweight Champion is also set to challenge Rich Swann at Sacrifice for the IMPACT World Championship. Therefore, once the dust of Sacrifice is settled, we could be a looking at the undisputed IMPACT World Champion. A lofty achievement, fitting for the rise that Moose has achieved over the past year.
Moose's IMPACT Wrestling contract set to expire?
It was revealed back in January 2021 that Moose's IMPACT Wrestling contract is set to expire in June. As of writing, the current TNA World Heavyweight Champion has yet to sign a new deal with the promotion.
This would give promotions such as WWE the opportunity to talk to Moose once his contract expires in the summer. Given Moose's athletic background as a football player in the NFL and recent success in IMPACT Wrestling, Moose appears to be a natural fit for the profile that WWE looks to recruit for in a future WWE Superstar.
Could Moose be the latest name to jump from the world of IMPACT Wrestling to the WWE?
