'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Even within the wildly successful Bullet Club stable, there is a subdivision. Much like the nWo, which contained the 'wolfpack' of Syxx, Hall, and Nash, the Bullet Club contains the Elite, the three-man power trip of Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks.
Mr. WWE himself, John Cena, has gone so far as to tweet about Omega. Triple H is quite amenable to having the Bucks work for him in NXT. If the waters are warm, will the Elite choose to swim? Or is their independence and creative control more important than the possibly massive amount of money they could make in the WWE?
Here are five reasons the Elite might end up in WWE--BEFORE the much-ballyhooed joint ROH/New Japan Madison Square Garden show--and five they will stay where they are at.
Might Sign with WWE: It's all about the money
While the Elite are certainly doing well for themselves financially, they are also putting in a lot of effort to do so. In particular the Bucks are one hundred percent involved in the production of their merchandise, which means spending a lot of cash up front for production.
Also, they are forced to wrestle for numerous different organizations, in several different countries, in a dozen time zones. If they are able to make an even better living with a much-reduced workload and more sensible schedule, don't be surprised if they sign on the dotted line for WWE.
Won't sign with WWE: Money isn't everything to the Elite
Of course, Omega and the Bucks want to provide for their families the best they can. However, they also want to be able to perform on their terms, in their style.
Making more money is certainly a temptation, and it may be one that the Elite cannot help but succumb to, but equally as likely is that they will turn down a WWE offer because they see themselves as artists, and artists greatly value creative control, often even over money.
Will sign with WWE: They've already achieved everything they can on the indy scene
The simple fact is, the Young Bucks and Omega don't have much more room to grow.
Omega has achieved his goal of winning the IWGP heavyweight championship, and the Bucks have held more titles than Undertaker has made comebacks. At some point, they have to wonder how much more can they really achieve on the independent scene. Perhaps holding the WWE gold would make a fine capstone to their careers.
Won't sign with the WWE: Omega has a grudge against the company
Long before NXT or even Florida Championship Wrestling, there was Deep South Wrestling, which functioned as WWE's developmental territory.
Omega joined WWE's feeder league in 2005 and remained there for a year. While he enjoyed working with British veteran trainer Dave Taylor, Omega had a lot of problems. Like many others, he got on the bad side of Bill DeMott, whose bullying antics eventually cost him a job at WWE. He also ran afoul of former Assassin Jody Hamilton, who was head booker for DSW.
Omega's experiences have left him with a foul taste in his mouth, and he has turned down WWE contracts in the past. Why would he change his mind now?
Might sign with WWE: Time heals all wounds
Times have changed since 2006 in the WWE. Bill DeMott is no longer present to torment Omega, and neither is Jody Hamilton.
The modern WWE is a much friendlier place to athletes who wrestle the independent style, particularly NXT. Omega might find that the WWE is a much friendlier and easier work environment than he had in the past.
Won't sign with WWE: The Bucks also have had problems with the company
There's an unwritten rule in pro wrestling that the rookies always go out of their way to introduce themselves to veterans, and shake hands.
Apparently, the Young Bucks weren't informed of this, because they greatly upset two longtime WWE talents: Booker T. and Rob Van Dam. The Bucks claim they did, in fact, approach both men and shake hands with them, but RVD claims they did not. Booker T says they introduced themselves but acted very arrogant and leaned on his six hundred dollar jacket.
Whatever the case may be, the Bucks may have branded themselves troublemakers, and the WWE is keen to avoid troublemakers in its locker room after so many high profile incidents like the one Randy Orton is currently embroiled in.
Might Sign with WWE: Possibility of dream matches they won't get anywhere else
Every pro wrestler has dream opponents they would love to work with, for a variety of reasons. Often there is a great deal of mutual respect, but there is also the possibility that they could have great chemistry with a particular wrestler and have stellar matches. Think Chris Jericho and the Rock, who always played well off of each other.
For Kenny Omega, in particular, there is a lot on the plate for him to eat at WWE. Dream matches with current roster favorites like John Cena and AJ Styles are just the tip of the iceberg. He could end up in programs with semi-retired legends like Undertaker, or Triple H. It's not likely these matches will happen anywhere outside of the WWE, which could be a huge incentive to sign.
Won't sign with WWE: No one wants to break up the band
If the Bucks and Omega sign with WWE, it will likely mean leaving behind their close companions in Bullet Club.
While WWE may have signed Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows to keep AJ Styles happy, they haven't had the best run and WWE isn't likely to see the Bullet Club as a package deal. Friendship is thicker than money or fame, and the Elite may choose to remain where they can work with their close friends.
Might Sign with WWE: It's the grandest stage in all of wrestling
WWE is the Broadway of wrestling, the Hollywood of sports entertainment. It is the place where a wrestler can be seen by the biggest audience and gain the most mass media attention.
While Omega and the Bucks can--and have--busted their behinds working for shows with under a hundred people, there is a certain magic about performing for a massive, filled to capacity arena of fans. The Elite have performed at big shows before, but never one with the history, size, and prestige of Wrestlemania. It may be a carrot they can't help but follow.
Won't sign with WWE: They don't really need to
While working for the WWE is a lifelong dream for many wrestlers, the wrestling landscape has changed. It is no longer necessary to wrestle in WWE to be famous, successful, or even wealthy.
The Elite might be tempted to work for WWE for a variety of reasons, but one fact remains. They don't HAVE to work for WWE if they don't want to. Secure both financially and in their legacies, the Elite could retire tomorrow and still be well off and legendary in their sport.
There you have it; Five reasons the Elite might sign with WWE, and five they won't. Would you like to see the Elite in WWE, or do you think they're better off where they are at? Please comment and let us know.
