2016 was a great year for the WWE and their fans. Yes, there were negatives but the positives greatly outweighed them – from WWE signing AJ Styles and pushing him as one of their top stars to them embracing the talents that the indies possess. WWE also restarted that Brand Split, although the jury is still out on that one although I personally am a fan of it.
We also got top-notch wrestling all the way from NXT to the main roster, something that WWE will continue to push in 2017. Along with these factors, let’s also take a look at two huge names that WWE brought back in 2016 – Goldberg and Shane McMahon – along with some of the huge names they signed this year – AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows La Sombra (Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas).
Expect more top class signings by WWE in 2017 and in this article, let’s take a look at 5 top names WWE could sign in 2017.
5: Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is a former 5-time WWE world champion and an Olympic Gold medallist. He’s also still a wrestling machine despite numerous injury issues and his age. Angle left the WWE more than a decade ago and its high time that WWE brought him back. Angle may be banged up and only good for a handful of marquee matches a year, he'd still be a valuable asset especially with the brand split still in place.
Angle brings with him star power and legitimacy. Rumours about his return have been floating around for a while now, with the latest round claiming that WWE have contacted him for a return at the Royal Rumble in January 2017. Angle's return could set up dream matches with a host of WWE's New Era stars like Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins, not to mention epic rematches with his former TNA colleagues Samoa Joe and AJ Styles.
What Kurt Angle match would I like to see? Since Angle vs Bryan is no longer a possibility, my vote would go to Kurt Angle vs Shinsuke Nakamura.
4: Ivelisse
If you aren’t a fan of Lucha Underground then you probably haven’t seen much of Ivelisse. But you should.
Ivelisse is one of the most talented luchadoras of her generation and she wrestles both men and women in Lucha Underground and is a 2-time LU Trios Champion.
Ivelisse was signed to WWE’s developmental territory FCW around the time it was transformed into NXT and even appeared in a few early episodes, defeating Paige and Natalya. However, she was suddenly released in 2012, allegedly because of reporting Bill DeMott’s mistreatment to the authorities (DeMott was eventually fired based on subsequent similar allegations).
With the Women’s revolution underway, this is the perfect time for WWE to re-sign Ivelisse. Not only would she bring the lucha element to the women’s division, she’s perfectly capable of hard-hitting matches ala Charlotte vs Sasha. Ivelisse could well be a top star for WWE, especially with them looking to make further forays into the Latino market.
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.
2: Adam Cole
If internet gossip is to be believed, Adam Cole has been on Vince McMahon and WWE’s radar for a while. Vince is reportedly a huge fan of the former ROH World Champion and 2017 should be the year that the WWE finally sign him up. He’s too good in the ring and too charismatic to not be. And, he’s at the top of his game right now.
The Bullet Club member has all the tools to be successful in the WWE – ability, intelligence, charisma and the gift of the gab. A veteran of the indies, he’s wrestled across the world in the last few years, recently joining the Bullet Club and appearing in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Cole will also feature on NJPW’s biggest show of 2017 – Wrestle Kingdom 11 – in January and challenge Kyle O’ Reilly for the ROH World Championship. WWE scouts should keep an eye on that match as both men are WWE material.
Will 2017 be the year of Cole? We’ll have to wait and watch.
1: The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks)
The Elite should be #1 on WWE’s wishlist for 2017.
Not only are The Young Bucks one of the best tag-teams in the world right now, they are also part of one of the most successful stables in modern wrestling – The Bullet Club – along with the leader of The Elite, Kenny Omega.
The Young Bucks can be considered veterans now, having won numerous titles all over the world from ROH and Chikara to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Omega on the other hand has only recently been elevated to main event scene in Januray 2016 but he’s a natural at what he does. Supremely talented in the ring and more than gifted on the mic, Omega has all the tools needed to be a main event star in WWE.
It had been reported that WWE tried to sign Kenny Omega thrice in 2016, but the latter refusing to move to WWE unless The Young Bucks moved with him. If that is indeed the case, WWE should bring out the cheque book and sign all three men in 2017 and make them the faces of NXT.
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