From the WWE Rumor Mill: Two indie wrestling giants offered WWE contracts (Details)

What’s the story?

As reported on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Keith Lee and Big Van Walter have been offered WWE contracts.

Apparently, the WWE higher-ups are interested in having the two big men from the indie circuit join its promotional ranks. Additional details on their potential deals have also been revealed.

In case you didn’t know…

Hailing from Wichita Falls, Texas, Keith Lee is a former college football player and considered to be one of the top ‘big man’ performers on the independent professional wrestling circuit today. While Lee has been performing only since 2017, he’s been a pro-wrestling fan since his childhood.

Similarly, yet another notable big man wrestler from the indies is Big Van Walter—born in Vienna, Austria—who has competed in pro-wrestling since 2005.

The heart of the matter

The Observer noted that Keith Lee and Walter were offered WWE contracts, and spots in WWE’s developmental territory NXT down in Orlando, Florida, with their WWE dates likely starting from May of this year.

Apparently, the belief is that Lee will be taking the WWE deal, and has been turning down indie bookings from that date and beyond. However, experts opine that neither Lee nor WWE are likely to officially confirm this fact at this stage.

Additionally, it’s being noted that Lee would require permission from Gabe Sapolsky to sign a WWE contract, as he’s currently signed to WWN. Lee was also said to be scheduled for the March 25th NJPW show in Long Island, which he may or may not perform at, before moving to the WWE in May.

On the contrary, Walter’s situation seems to be a tad more uncertain, as he’d previously stated that he isn’t interested in wrestling outside Europe and isn’t intrigued by the prospect of wrestling for NJPW either. Walter enjoys a great position in wXw in Europe and runs a wrestling school there.

Nevertheless, it was noted that he could make significantly more money in the WWE, owing to which he’s likely to take the WWE deal and report to Orlando in May.

What’s next?

Keith Lee and Walter presently perform on the indie professional wrestling circuit.

While Lee is widely praised by fans and experts alike for his ring-psychology, Walter is often described as a heavier, more skilled version of former WWE Superstar Vladimir Kozlov.

Author’s take

Standing at upwards of 6’3”, 330 pounds, Keith Lee is a natural at all things professional wrestling.

Meanwhile, when one talks about menacing heels, it doesn’t get much better than 6’4”, 310 pounds with Big Van Walter, known as the Man Mountain, for his towering presence.

The WWE would benefit greatly with the addition of these two big men to its roster in the days to come.

---

Send us news tips at [email protected]