WWE has employed talent from all over the world. Whether they are American, Indian, Bulgarian, Russian, Finnish or Italian, the WWE is a melting pot, adding talent from everywhere.
One of the most notable countries that have contributed talent to WWE is Canada.
The names of Canadians that have added to the history of WWE reads like a who's who list with names such as Bret Hart, Owen Hart, The Rougeau Brothers, Rick Martel, Dino Bravo, Edge, Christian, Chris Benoit, Eric Young, Bobby Roode, Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens.
All of these men call Canada home. Their contributions to the company have consisted of intense wrestling matches, meaningful promos and enticing rivalries that have been integral to the WWE product for decades.
The company has had Canadian talent as a part of its past, but that isn't to say that it shouldn't have more as a part of its future.
There are a number of Canadian men and women outside the company that could only add to the depth of the roster and provide the promotion with meaningful matches and a new outlook on wrestling moving forward. Despite not being in the company, they are more than capable of making the roster even richer.
Here are five Canadians that the WWE should sign.
#5 Tyson Dux
A wrestling machine that could be everything that Kurt Angle was, consider Tyson Dux.
Dux has had a very successful career in Canada; the twenty-year veteran from Miramichi, New Brunswick has earned accolades from everyone and anyone that has stepped into the ring with him.
During TNA's infancy, Dux worked alongside current NXT stars Eric Young and Bobby Roode as part of the Team Canada faction, a collection of talent that was a who’s who of young up and comers. For those not as familiar with Dux, he faced Zack Sabre Jr during the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic.
Also read: 5 Sikh Wrestlers from Canada
The current Smash Wrestling champion has been involved with WWE on a number of different occasions, performing on dark matches and as an enhancement talent on television in the past.
While some may believe that at 38 years of age, Dux has little to contribute as his career is winding down, they really need to reconsider that assessment. Despite hinting at retirement nearly six years ago, Dux has proven that age is simply a number.
Dux would certainly be a wonderful addition to the WWE roster.
#4 Candice LeRae
At just over five foot two inches in height, the diminutive LeRae has been earning a name for herself for the past 15 years. LeRae has faced not only women, but male competitors as well, and has proven to be just as capable as anyone she has stepped into the ring with.
What is interesting to note is that LeRae's passion for the sport isn't simply a day job, it goes home with her as well, since her husband is Johnny Gargano, one-half of the former NXT tag team champions #DIY.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has showcased her talent not only in North America but also in Japan. She has faced some of the most notable names in wrestling today, such as Rosemary and Allie from TNA. LeRae's refined in-ring skill would add to the depth of the women's roster.
Her girl next door looks should not fool anyone, as her in-ring skills feature moves that demonstrate agility and finesse.
LeRae was trained by former WWE Cruiserweight champion T.J. Perkins, and it definitely shows. There is a likeability about her that could be paired with Bayley, as both of their in-ring demeanours are innocent and sweet.
#3 David Hart Smith
Born as Harry Smith, the son of Davey Boy Smith, David is no stranger to WWE.
David has a number of family members that either were or still are, a part of the company. Smith was with WWE years ago as part of the Hart Dynasty, alongside Tyson Kidd and his cousin Natalya.
He left WWE in 2011 and has only improved since then because of whom he has been in the ring with and where he has gone. Smith joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2012 and regularly works alongside former TNA wrestler Lance Archer.
Together, the two men formed the Killer Elite Squad. The two have dominated Japan's Pro Wrestling NOAH, and have recently returned to NJPW.
While in Japan, Smith has shown how dedicated he is to improving his craft and making his family proud. His heritage is obviously a thing of pride for him, and he will now compete as ‘The British Bulldog' Davey Boy Smith Jr. moving forward.
A return for Smith to the WWE would be another welcome addition to the company, as he would immediately add to the depth of the main event scene.
#2 Kyle O'Reilly
One of the biggest names outside WWE, whose potential addition to the roster has been talked about a lot as of late, is Kyle O'Reilly. A native of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, O’Reilly has competed all over the world since his debut in 2005.
He has competed in promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Guerilla, and most notably rose up the ranks of the wrestling world competing in Ring of Honor.
A former world champion and tag team champion (alongside Bobby Fish as part of reDragon,) O'Reilly's contract with Ring of Honor recently came to an end. And since it may be the end of his time with that promotion, speculation has run rampant that he is on the cusp of joining another major promotion.
While which organisation it will be is only speculation at this time, his wrestling style would be a welcome addition to the WWE, where he could add to the depth of an already stacked lineup of talent in the Cruiserweight division. O’Reiley has a Chris Benoit-esque feel to him, not the homicidal tendencies obviously, but the character and the look of a perfect WWE underdog.
His greatest matches and rivalries have unquestionably been with Adam Cole, as the two took part in some of the most intense matches in Ring of Honor history.
#1 Kenny Omega
Once considered a second-tier talent by some, Omega has had his stock rise over the course of the past couple of years. His rock-star look, feel and attitude has certainly generated a great deal of interest from fans in Japan as part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion.
Although Omega calls Tokyo, Japan his home now, having dedicated the last seven years of his career to performing in that country, he is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
In Japan, Omega has engaged in a number of feuds, and not too long ago had what is considered the match of the year against Kazuchika Okada, a forty-five minute plus contest that had wrestling journalists such as Dave Meltzer praising it effusively.
After the match, Omega sent out a tweet suggesting that he was going to reconsider his options and make a decision about his future. The tweet sent the internet wrestling community into a frenzy, with speculation that Omega would be leaving NJPW and joining WWE.
As it turned out, that wasn't the case. However, Omega joining WWE would certainly make them second guess their release of him years earlier when he was in Deep South Wrestling, WWE’s former developmental territory.
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