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March 26, 2001 began a new era for pro wrestling. This was the exact date on which World Championship Wrestling was purchased by the WWE's owner and chairman, Vince McMahon Jr. While the immediate results of the purchase were obvious, such as there no longer being head to head competition on Monday nights, there are other ramifications which are more subtle and play out over a longer period of time.
One of the major ramifications was a relative stagnation of professional wrestling talent pools. Where once major stars moved about from promotion to promotion in search of the best contract, the purchase of WCW by the WWE settled things down. Men like Randy Orton, John Cena, and Batista will likely end their careers having only wrestled for a single promotion.
This was simply not the case before. But now, after almost two decades of dominance, the WWE is facing fierce competition in all directions. New Japan Pro Wrestling is trying to take a slice of the lucrative North American wrestling market. Ring of Honor has somehow managed to thrive even with most of its talent being poached by other promotions. Impact Wrestling is the zombie of wrestling shows, refusing to die no matter how many times someone tries to kill it.
And of course, there's AEW. All Elite Wrestling presents the most daunting challenge to the WWE's supremacy in many years. Thus, talent shuffling between promotions is going to become quite interesting in the coming months.
Here are five wrestlers who could sign with the WWE, including some fan favorite veterans, and five wrestlers who might leave WWE for another promotion.
#1 Might Join WWE - Jay Lethal
When you talk about who the top ten best wrestlers in the world are, one name that cannot be left off the list is Jay Lethal. Lethal got his start wrestling on television at the tender age of eighteen when he signed with TNA Wrestling. He adopted the Black Machismo character based off of advice from Kevin Nash and became a mid-card sensation.
But when it was time for Jay Lethal to step beyond the X Division, it just never came together for him. Despite memorable feuds and moments with legends like Ric Flair, Lethal was never a main event player in TNA/Impact for long.
So Lethal left TNA, who had begun focusing on established veteran stars like Bully Ray, and joined ROH. He wound up winning both of the Ring of Honor singles belts and defended them simultaneously, sometimes wrestling twice in one night. While Lethal is treated well in Ring of Honor, he's also in his thirties and has to start considering a WWE run if he's going to have that happen in his career.
#1 Might Leave WWE - Luke Harper
Luke Harper has enjoyed one of the most amazingly unconventional careers in pro wrestling. Getting his start as a backyard wrestler by the name of Huberboy #2, Harper would eventually gain formal training under Kirby Marcos and began his independent wrestling career. Harper became known for his ability to keep up with lightning-fast athletes such as Zach Sabre and Ricochet.
He had seemed destined for indie scene greatness until the WWE snatched him up. At first, things came up roses for Harper. He was in the red hot Wyatt Family stable, won the Intercontinental title, and was poised to move from the mid-card to the main event.
However, it seems that certain people in the WWE don't think Luke Harper needs to be used on television. Harper has already requested his release. Though it has been denied for the time being, once legal entanglements begin there's no telling what might happen, or where Harper might wind up wrestling.
#2 Might Join WWE - Goldberg
So far, the only thing known for certain about Bill Goldberg's WWE status is that he's being advertised for an upcoming show in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The current prevailing opinion is that Goldberg is only obligated for this particular show, but there's also a possibility that he could sign a more long term deal with the company. The reasons for this are myriad.
For one, Goldberg is a huge property. Just his name value alone draws a ton of attention. With WCW nostalgia at an all time high, he could be the magic bullet that the Elite club requires to really put All Elite Wrestling on the map.
Which is why the WWE might make a power play for his services. Just keeping a powerful piece out of play will hurt their opponent. It works in chess and it works in pro wrestling promotional warfare.
#2 Might leave WWE - Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks has been a part of the WWE women's evolution from day one. From NXT, where she formed the Four Horsewomen along with Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Becky Lynch, to the main roster, Sasha Banks has proved that she is a main event player.
Despite her young age, she's already racked up a number of career accolades. She was one-half of the first WWE women's tag team champions, wrestled the first women's match in Abu Dhabi along with Alexa Bliss, and has held championship gold on all three brands, NXT, Raw, and Smackdown Live.
Sasha Banks has been unhappy with her role with the WWE of late, mostly stemming from the short title reign of the Boss N Hug connection. So far WWE has not granted her release, but that could change.
#3 Might Join the WWE - The Villain Marty Scurll
When Cody Rhodes, the Young Bucks, Christopher Daniels, and Frankie Kazarian took their leave of Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling, there was one chap they left behind.
They did this despite this man being a charter member of Bullet Club, and a stalwart ally. His name was Marty Scurll, or the Villain if you prefer. While the Elite departed, Marty Scurrl was locked into a longer contract with Ring of Honor.
But that could wind up being a blessing. Because AEW will already have established a roster by the time his contract expires, The Villain could wind up plying his services for the WWE. One can easily imagine a lengthy NXT title reign perpetuated by none other than the Villain.
At one time, Scurrl wouldn't have been on the WWE's radar because of his short stature, but thanks to AJ Styles and Ricochet size isn't the factor in WWE success it once was.
#3 Might Leave WWE - The Revival
Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are perhaps the last of the great heel tag teams. With their grinding, precision wrestling which mercilessly targets their opponent's weak spots, The Revival have drawn comparisons to the Minnesota wrecking crew and the Sheepherders (Bushwhackers.)
But they also have the grace, unity, and coordination of the Midnight Express and the Rock and Roll Express. In a world where tag team wrestling is still a valid entertainment medium, the Revival might reign as the Emperors.
However, in the WWE tag team wrestling just isn't what it used to be. Efforts seem to be underway to change that, but if they fail then the Revival may seek to be top guys in another company. It remains to be seen if Dash and Dawson will keep giving WWE chances.
#4 Might Join WWE - Brock Lesnar
At WrestleMania 35, all signs pointed toward the Beast Incarnate heading back to the Octagon for another run in the UFC's heavyweight division.
After all, Paul Heyman said his client wanted to get his match over with and 'head back to Las Vegas where he is ULTIMATELY appreciated.' Add in the fact that Lesnar and Cormier had been engaged in a war of words and verbal sparring ever since last year, and that Lesnar has remained on good terms with the UFC, and it looked like a sure thing.
Only, it wasn't. Lesnar appears to be retiring from MMA, and it looks like money may have been the issue at hand. This of course, means that Lesnar is now free to appear for the WWE as he sees fit. And without that lucrative UFC contract, he might just show up more than in times previous.
#4 Might Leave WWE - Lio Rush
There are many words which have been used to describe Lio Rush. Innovative is certainly one. Talented is another. Indie scene darling has been bandied about as well.
But there are less flattering words being used to describe Lio Rush during his WWE tenure. Words like 'disrespectful', 'arrogant,' and 'entitled.' There are many incidents where Lio Rush has rubbed people backstage the wrong way.
Lio Rush has been complaining about his role with the company openly. In fact, he may have recently turned down a contract offer from the company and requested his release instead.
No matter what happens, Lio Rush's days with the WWE might be numbered. If he were released he may or may not sign with All Elite Wrestling. Many ROH alums are in AEW and Rush had a bad reputation at that promotion as well. Impact seems more likely.
#5 Might Join WWE - CM Punk
CM Punk in the WWE? Sounds impossible, but if there's one thing for sure about the pro wrestling industry, it's that nothing's for sure.
CM Punk had a terrible break up from the WWE involving litigation, lawsuits, name calling and a general sense of dissatisfaction between the two parties. CM Punk walked away from WWE and wrestling altogether, focusing instead on an MMA career.
An MMA career which appears to be over already. Without the UFC to pay the bills, Punk may have to lace up the boots.
And it seems that the WWE might be interested in getting him back. Despite being difficult to deal with backstage, and quite frankly acting like a bit of a prima donna, there's no denying CM Punk's wrestling talent and boundless charisma.
There's also no denying that while the WWE could use him, they might also be looking to keep him out of the hands of their competition, such as AEW.
#5 Might Leave WWE - EC3
Michael Hunter Hutter, better known to the wrestling world as EC3, is one of the more compelling performers of his time. While he's an above average in ring performer, what mainly sets EC3 apart from his contemporaries is his championship poise. Hutter looks, walks, and talks like world champion material.
This combined with his impressive physique and years of experience, as well as his star status with Impact wrestling, have led to him being considered one of the future stars of WWE. Only it hasn't happened. It seems that there are certain parties in the WWE who don't believe in EC3. If that doesn't change, he might wind up requesting his release so he can ply his trade elsewhere.
It's easy to imagine him winding up in AEW, but New Japan would also be an interesting landing spot for Hutter. There you have it; Five wrestlers who might join the WWE, and five who might leave it. Who would you like to see in WWE, and why? Please comment after the article,and as always thanks for reading!
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