How WWE Brings In New Talent

The big news in wrestling this past week is that of WWE signing Prince (Fergal) Devitt. Obviously, with his following in the UK and, probably more-so, Japan, there was always going to be a buzz about him signing with WWE and how great that can potentially be, but it really surprised me that it was an actual story on WWE.com. Maybe I don't check that site too often, but I don't recall any other signings getting that type of news article by WWE, themselves. Kenta is also a notable signing in the last few weeks that falls under this same surprise.

It got me thinking that despite there being no competition to WWE these days, they still made a fuss over someone that is seen as a potential star of the future. It seems that over the years they have signed the best that the indys have to offer and just, quietly, implemented them into the developmental system. There never seems to be any hype made about any signings apart from amongst the fans themselves.

The Way We Were...

This got me thinking of the some of the most high-profile signings that WWE have acquired in the past. Maybe WWE have signed people since but the biggest names that come to mind were Chris Jericho in 1999 and the four 'Radicalz' (Benoit, Guerrero, Malenko and Saturn) in 2000. 'High profile' if you're a wrestling fan, of course.

Perry Saturn, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko

My point here is that when these guys moved across from WCW, I didn't know too much about them. Other fans that watched both WWF and WCW would know who all these guys were, but I was, and still am, a WWF-only kid, so these guys were kind of strangers and unknown quantities to me. The same could be said of Prince Devitt and Kenta.

When Jericho was brought in, he interrupted The Rock - the biggest WWF star at the time - and went onto capture the Intercontinental title not too long after. A little over two years later he would become the FIRST undisputed champion. The four Radicalz all made their mark on their debuts and would be involved in high-level feuds straight away. All four would also be champions not long after joining. Not only were they champions, but highly regarded champions in their individual divisions.

What's Changed?

Obviously, the death of WCW was going to change things. While they were around, WWF talents could jump ship to them and cause a stir and vice versa. After Vince bought them, where would that excitement of new talent coming in come from? Obviously, former WCW guys that were still under contract with Time Warner could wait it out and then make waves down the road - as was the case with Hogan, Nash, Hall, Goldberg, Steiner etc etc - but eventually that would dry up and WWE would become (have become) the only 'place to work'. Them guys weren't exactly 'new', anyway.

OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) produced a pretty impressive class of 2002, when the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista and Brock Lesnar graduated and, over the course of the next two years, became the future of the WWE that we still see today. These were all young, WWE-bred guys and would be the last crop of truly 'big' stars.

Lesnar with another 2002 graduate, Shelton Benjamin

In the late-2000s, WWE would start to recruit the best that the indys had to offer in Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Cesaro etc. The difference with these guys was that they had to have a name change, as well as being sent to a developmental area - to 'learn' how to wrestle the WWE way. I'm not saying that that's necessarily a bad thing, as I'm sure they were more than happy to learn a new style(s). More importantly, they had a job in the big-time; whatever sh*t came their way, they would eat, I suppose.

The Performance Centre And The Way It Is

In 2014, the WWE Performance Centre is just over a year old. It has loads and loads of potential 'stars of the future' coming and going all the time. I can imagine that it's THE place to learn and train. In turn, NXT is where hopefuls go to try their luck and see if they can make it on that first rung of the ladder. But should everyone have to go through this process?

The main thing that I want to point out in this post is why should the likes of Devitt and Kenta have to start out in NXT? I love NXT, but it is the part of wrestling where you learn and take part in your apprenticeship. Surely, guys like Devitt and Kenta have travelled the world, they have picked up experience along the way (that will, undoubtedly, be invaluable to the future guys coming through the ranks), and could quite easily make an impact on the main WWE roster just like Jericho, Benoit and co. did fifteen years ago?

Fergal Devitt

Why can't this 'developmental system' way of doing things be changed up so that the standout stars, such as Devitt or Kenta have vignettes aired and then be showcased on the main WWE roster; WWE have made the effort of advertising these guys as 'important' by announcing their signings, so why not continue that hype on their major TV slots instead of the show that is only on the WWE Network... or maybe I've just answered my own question...

The Realisation...

Whether this is a business move to get people watching NXT, and in-turn, SUBSCRIBE to the WWE Network or not, the way in which talent is introduced to the 'WWE Universe' (I hate that term for 'fans'!) should be decided by a case-by-case system. If someone has the experience and talent when you sign them - such as the hyped, advertised Devitt or Kenta - then get them on your MAIN TV show. Let the ex-football players, models and others fill up the lower ranks with the second generation guys and lesser indy wrestlers.

Devitt and Kenta are 33-years-old. A couple of years in developmental means that you bring them up to the main roster when they're 35. They THEN have to go through sh*tty gimmicks for a while before finding their feet (Devitt will probably be lumbered with some crappy, racist Irish gimmick or be Sheamus' little buddy!)... they're not 24 like Orton or Lesnar were when they got their break so highlight their talents NOW!

@jimmosangle