'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAkxf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAhEAACAQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABSEEBhEHFGFjwv/aAAgBAQABPwDqRDqbDdG0XdvPKk0gDPkMgOOfOBQ37fWyDBwfZKPqv//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEhAP/aAAgBAgEBPwBjN//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABITL/2gAIAQMBAT8A0qf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
Well, it's no surprise that WWE is always holding tryouts and always looking to add to its respective rosters. Some interesting names have been revealed to partake in the next round of tryouts.
As per PW Insider, four independent wrestlers will be joined by a former UFC and Bellator fighter and a former collegiate wrestler and football player at the Performance Center this week.
In case you didn’t know…
Earlier this month, WWE already bolstered their ranks by signing four incredibly talented and well-known independent wrestlers in Ricochet, Candice LeRae and the tag team War Machine.
While all four are expected to quickly transition to NXT, WWE is always on the lookout for new talent to fill the gaps when talent moves up to the main roster - something that seems to happen all too regularly at the beginning of the year, particularly on the RAW after WrestleMania.
The heart of the matter
Well, who are the talents trying out for WWE this time around?
Austin Theory, a current EVOLVE talent, is at the top of the list. Theory is signed to the World Wrestling Network and has competed for PROGRESS Wrestling, both as a part of EVOLVE and in the second Four-Way match which was won by Mark Hask. The match also involved Keith Lee and Mark Andrews.
Evan Cloyd is another name who will report to the PC for a tryout. He is also known as Jarek 1:20 from EVOLVE. Cloyd also auditioned for Tough Enough in 2015.
Nickolaus Barnes will be among the names too. He is an independent wrestler from Arizona and Utah who has previously worked for WAW.
The only female name on the list this time around is Alexia Nicole, a Canadian indie wrestler who has been wrestling since 2011. Nicole stands at only 4'11" and is just 21 years old, but is probably the most experienced wrestler named for these tryouts.
One of the more surprising names on the list is Matt Van Buren - formerly a UFC and Bellator fighter. Van Buren holds a record of 7-5 in MMA, winning twice by knockout and twice by submission. The 31-year-old had a run in Bellator before appearing on The Ultimate Fighter which ended in the 'Gutter' having two fights in UFC before being released in October 2015.
The final confirmed name is David Vieru. Vieru is a former collegiate wrestler and football player from Oregon. He has, as yet, no training in professional wrestling.
What’s next?
While it's always interesting to note names of attendees for tryouts, you never know what may happen.None of them may be signed or all of them may be signed. With some of WWE's recent additions coming from the tryout procedure, it is always worth keeping an eye on who turns up at the Performance Center.
Author’s take
Well, it's a pretty good mix here, we know WWE likes bringing in UFC fighters and anyone with an MMA background and of course crossover athletes - but several indie stars have been signed using this method. It'll be interesting to see if any of these names make it to the next stage.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
