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Over the past decade or so, WWE has signed some of the biggest talents from the world professional wrestling and while the company continues to cultivate its talent through its developmental system, Vince McMahon and co. have been open to signing wrestlers from various promotions around the world.
WWE has picked up a host of talented men and women from notable promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and even the Independent Circuit, over the years.
Without a doubt, the company has found success in signing the likes of Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch, who have turned out to be huge assets for WWE.
However, occasionally, WWE has mistimed the signing of a particular wrestler whom fans would've loved to see compete for the promotion a few years prior. Over the years, WWE has signed a host of experienced campaigners, who at times have mostly been past their prime or ended up retiring within a few months after signing with the WWE.
In this article, I've listed 5 Superstars whom WWE should've signed earlier. Wrestlers who definitely would've competed for a longer span in the company, given they had signed for WWE a few years ago.
#5 Ronda Rousey
It was a long time coming but at the 2018 Royal Rumble event, Ronda Rousey finally made her WWE debut, as she closed out the show with the first WWE pay-per-view of the year with Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.
Upon her arrival, Rousey quickly adapted to the WWE style and became a fan-favorite. Within her first year in WWE, the UFC Hall of Famer also won her first title, capturing the WWE RAW Women's Championship. Rousey enjoyed a formidable run with the title but at WrestleMania 35, she dropped the title to Becky Lynch in a Triple Threat main event.
Since her loss to 'The Man' in 2019, Rousey hasn't competed in a WWE ring and having illustrated such a celebrated career as such, there could be a possibility that Rousey quietly might've retired from professional wrestling.
Rousey competed in her final UFC fight in December of 2016, however, she has been associated with the WWE before that. In 2015, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion was also involved in an angle consisting of The Rock, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31. And that certainly makes us wonder that things could've been a lot different if Rousey had signed with WWE a couple of years ago. We've seen Brock Lesnar compete for UFC while he was under contract with WWE and maybe Rousey could've pulled off the same, as well.
Given, Rousey had opted to sign with WWE a few years prior, the fans probably could've had the opportunity of witnessing the legend of Ronda Rousey for a few more years
#4 Ricochet
Ricochet might've fallen down the pecking order on the WWE main roster, over the past few months. However, make no mistake, the former Lucha Underground superstar will go down as one of WWE's biggest and hottest signings of all time.
Prior to signing with WWE in 2018, Ricochet made a name for himself all over the world, but his performances in Japan for Dragon Gate and New Japan Pro Wrestling caught the eye of many. However, the former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion also had a major influence on the American wrestling culture, courtesy of his work with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Evolve, and Dragon Gate USA.
Ricochet also impressed with his stunning performances at the Lucha Underground temple where he competed under the moniker of Prince Puma and shared the stage with the likes of John Morrison, Rey Mysterio, and Pentagon Jr.
Upon his arrival in WWE two years ago, Ricochet became an instant fan-favorite in NXT, most notably due to his athletic abilities. It is safe to assume that he caught the eye of many notable WWE figures, including Triple H and was rewarded for his efforts when he won the NXT North American Championship from Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV.
Ricochet has successfully won over the WWE Universe with his phenomenal in-ring outings but that being said, the former US Champion would've established his place on the main roster as a notable contender if he had signed for WWE a few years ago. Regardless, I'm sure the WWE Universe would love to see Ricochet back at his best once again on the main roster.
#3 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe is one of the most experienced veterans of professional wrestling today. Having competed for Ring of Honor, TNA/Impact Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling NOAH, and other notable promotions, Joe finally did the unthinkable and made his way over to WWE in 2015.
Joe started-off in NXT and went on a rampage. The former TNA Heavyweight Champion defeated the likes of Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, an co. with ease and ended Finn Balor's legendary run as NXT Champion, that too at a House Show.
Much like every other NXT Champion in history, Joe also enjoyed a solid run with the title, and even after dropping the belt, he made a strong introduction on the main roster, as Triple H's henchman. However, things haven't exactly been perfect for the former 'Samoan Submission Machine', whose career on the WWE main roster has taken a major bump due to numerous injuries.
Joe has previously challenged for the WWE Universal Title and has had two runs with the WWE United States Championship but someone of his caliber should've been a WWE World Champion by now. But, Joe currently finds himself on the RAW commentary desk where he replaced Jerry Lawler. While he continues to do a tremendous work as a commentator, I'm sure fans would love to see Joe return to in-ring action.
Things could've been a lot different if the former ROH World Champion had signed with WWE a few years ago, maybe when he was in his 30s.
#2 AJ Styles
At the 2016 Royal Rumble, the unthinkable happened as professional wrestling veteran and sensation, AJ Styles finally made his WWE debut after years of anticipation. 'The Phenomenal One' was signed to a WWE contract right after his classic against Shinsuke Nakamura at NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 10 and the former's arrival in WWE has certainly had a positive effect for both parties.
In his first year with the company, Styles feuded with Chris Jericho, made his Wrestlemania debut, challenged Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship, formed his own version of the Bullet Club, defeated John Cena and capped it all off by winning the WWE Championship. Now that's a debut year some Superstars could only dream of!
Over the four years of his time under WWE, Styles has achieved a lot, and matter of fact, he's currently in his first reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion.
That goes on to show the faith WWE has shown towards Styles and now could you imagine what would've happened if 'The Phenomenal One' decided to come over to WWE a few years prior?
Styles probably would've been a WWE Grand Champion by now but I'm sure the WWE Universe is happy with the way things are for AJ Styles, at the moment. After all, even in his 40s, he delivers phenomenal matches on a daily basis.
#1 Sting
AJ Styles was the face of TNA and in 2016, he finally made his WWE debut. Similarly, Sting was also the face of WCW during the Monday Night Wars. Despite many stars, including Goldberg competing for WWE, Sting was the only marquee name who had opted to go the other direction.
But, in 2014, all of that changed within the blink of an eye. With Team Authority set to beat Team Cena, the WWE Universe was treated to an absolute surprise, as 'The Stinger' finally showed up in WWE. He took aim at Triple H, costing his faction the match and helping Dolph Ziggler secure a historic win for John Cena and co.
However, what followed next was a poor run of form in WWE, as Sting lost his WrestleMania 31 match to Triple H and eventually announced his retirement, later that year, following an unsuccessful attempt of winning the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins. In the same match Sting suffered a neck injury and given that he was in the latter stages of his career, 'The Icon' decided to hang up his boots and call it a day.
It is almost a guaranteed fact that if Sting had opted to sign for WWE, right after the dissolution of WCW, then things would've been a lot different for him and WWE. The WWE Universe would've been treated to several years of in-ring brilliance from 'The Icon'.
