3: EC III
WWE really dropped the ball with Derek Bateman when he was on their books, repeatedly losing to the likes of Curt Hawkins. He was released in 2013 and he found his calling in TNA as Dixie Carter’s spoilt nephew, Ethan Carter III. Playing a brash heel who was too rich and too good for the common people.
EC III mowed through competition in TNA, remaining unpinned and unsubmitted for almost 3 years before he was finally beaten by Matt Hardy thanks to his bodyguard Tyrus in 2016.
With TNA’s future and financial situation in a dire situation, as always, EC III seems to be a perfect signing for WWE – especially for NXT. He can go in the ring, has the look and is excellent on the mic – 3 vital elements required to be a success on the main roster. Add to that that he knows the WWE system already.
