Top 5 TNA Stars That WWE Needs
Please Note: This list was compiled based on names that have never previously had major roles in WWE. The majority of wrestlers in TNA seem to have either been in WWE at one point in time or just seem to be off of the WWE radar. Then, you also have guys like Sting who seem to have the drilled into the fan base that they will never go to WWE. Also, I have purposefully left both Robert Roode and James Storm off of this list, for similar reasons, which may or may not be explained at a later time.
5) Abyss – At one point, several years ago, no one could confirm that Abyss had renewed his TNA contract and rumors were running wild that he was headed to WWE. Now, here we are years later and Abyss has still not been in WWE but instead he is doing double booking duty as himself and his brother.
Is it just me or does it seem like every time Abyss tries to step out of the shadow of wrestlers like Kane and Mankind he just walks himself right back into it? He just needs another alter ego to fill his Dude Love quota and he’ll be a New York Times best-selling author—I’m sure of it!
Abyss is a tired, old and stale character (At least in TNA). He’s a relatively big dude, so he could hang in a WWE ring without problem. So bring him in, as Abyss or something similar, and have him go in the typical feuds: John Cena, Sheamus, and Big Show and of course Kane. Then, when Kane is ready to retire, throw Abyss under the Kane mask and pass the torch. Simple as that, WWE. Get on it.
4) AJ Styles - I rank AJ Styles fourth only because I doubt that he will ever come to WWE. Should TNA go out of business ala WCW, I see AJ Styles taking independent bookings and going back to ROH and what not else. Then he’d wait around for something new to start up again. I don’t know. It seems like the top face of WWE John Cena vs. the face of TNA AJ Styles would make an awesome Wrestlemania main event, but I’m almost certain no one in WWE’s creative trust feels that way. AJ Styles is like the younger version of Sting with his beliefs in not ever wanting to join WWE though.
3) Christopher Daniels – Much like Abyss, there once was a time when Christopher Daniels was rumored to be going to WWE. Although, the Fallen Angel had also been fired by TNA and so it seemed more likely that he might end up in a different part of Florida for reasons other than TNA.
What Christopher Daniels brings to WWE is two things: A chance to jumpstart the tag team division (If WWE was serious about that) and also potential. So many WWE Superstars have been introduced as part of a tag team and then gone on to great singles roles. The list includes but is not limited to names like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. I would try and bring Christopher Daniels into WWE as part of a tag team with Frankie Kazarian. Can you imagine these two guys in the ring against Kofi Kingston and (should he ever return from injury without getting injured or suspended again) Evan Borne? I actually saw Christopher Daniels and Evan “Matt Sydal” Borne main event an ROH show in person as a tag team, so to see them on opposite sides would be quite interesting. Not to mention that WWE has teams like Primo and Colon and some other smaller guys, so this would be a nice way to introduce Christopher Daniels, as a smaller wrestler, to the WWE audience. He could be the next Shawn Michaels or he could quickly be future endeavored when they decide to drop the tag team division again. Either way, he at least deserves a chance in WWE.
2) Samoa Joe – Yes, we have also heard rumors before of Samoa Joe going to WWE. Then, Joe himself pretty much shuts down all rumors as he says he’ll stay loyal to TNA. I don’t really see Joe fighting WWE style, but look at what guys like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson are doing. If they could somehow have Samoa Joe skip developmental and come straight to the main roster, they’d just have to present it as a huge deal.
This is what I would do (Obviously I have a scenario in mind): I would bring Samoa Joe in first as a heel. It will be easier for people who do not know who he is to boo him than cheer for him, especially if he’s beating up their friends. Now, we’d have to have some sort of face as the WWE Champion. If this was to happen sooner than later (Like next year) I’d say we should have the WWE Title on The Rock. (No, I’m not joking) So then it’s the Royal Rumble and John Cena has entered in hopes of going to Wrestlemania to defeat The Rock and become WWE Champion. The deck is stacked against him, as always, but he seems to be able to overcome the odds. We have Samoa Joe come around somewhere in the middle to end of the match, definitely as a huge surprise, and then we eventually make it down to the final two: John Cena and Samoa Joe. Everyone would assume that John Cena should very easily throw him over and win. It’s in the bag now, because not only is he an unknown to some people but he also is making his WWE debut. You don’t win the Royal Rumble in your WWE debut… unless you’re Samoa Joe.
So bam, Joe eliminates Cena, excites the male vocal crowd who recognizes him and makes all of the Cena fans cry. Samoa Joe goes on to Wrestlemania, wins the title from The Rock and eventually has a match with John Cena and many others. But this would be a great way to build up a credible heel who could eventually turn face given the right positioning. This idea only really works for Samoa Joe because, you know, guys like A-Train… Not so much.
Austin Aries – This is a tough one. I really do believe that Austin Aries is what every wrestler should be, size be damned. At one point in time, Aries was in TNA as “Austin Starr” and when that all ended it seemed like he’d remain on the indie scene forever or go to WWE. Then he made some comments in an interview about how he doesn’t like that wrestlers have to seemingly start over in WWE when they’ve been World Champions somewhere else. While I completely agree with him, it probably didn’t help his chances of getting offered a WWE deal.
So, now that he’s on the rise in TNA, could he come to WWE? I certainly hope so. He could very easily be booked against anyone currently in WWE or anyone I’d like to see come over from TNA into WWE. But the question is… how to book him.
Well, Austin Aries pretty much gives you the idea yourself on how to book him. It’s quite simple, really. Screw vignettes. Vignettes are for every wrestler. Austin Aries needs a public press conference. In fact, Austin Aries needs an announcement on WWE Raw the week before his public press conference to announce that next week he’ll be having a live press conference to announce his signing with WWE. This needs to work out better than MVP and guys like that though.
Don’t have Austin Aries start out small. Push him right to the top. Have him come in the same way Hulk Hogan came to WCW. Treat him like a big deal and people will think he’s a big deal—or at least boo him, which is also good for a heel reaction.
Austin Aries needs to be presented as a former World Champion and he needs to come into WWE with a guaranteed title shot. Has WWE ever done that before? I don’t know. But it would definitely be interesting. Austin Aries wouldn’t even have to fight anyone first. His first match could be for the title or against someone else, it doesn’t matter.
As I type this, CM Punk is the WWE Champion and Sheamus is the World Champion. So I’d have Austin Aries show up to do commentary (To put himself over) and kind of scout both champions and decide who he wants to face. Could he possibly become a distraction at ringside and cost a challenger the title, so they end up having a match and brief feud before Aries’ title shot? Sure, why not. You just have to play it by ear, but having a strong game plan going in just means so much to doing this character right.
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