WWE looking to add more top indy talent

[Str8Shooter]

http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/wwe/WWE_Contacting_More_Contracted_ROH_and_LUG_Wrestlers_Plans_for_NXT_Expansion_In_2016.html

WWE officials are becoming more aggressive when it comes to contacting wrestlers that are currently signed to Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground.

WWE is preparing to do extensive touring with NXT in 2016 and they are trying to add a lot of top indie wrestlers to the roster, talents that previously may not have been signed due to restrictions on size and look. The plan was described to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter as a show with the WWE branding and WWE production but with ROH-level main event matches.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Interesting. It's crazy how WWE has basically created their own top indy fed now under their own umbrella. It's like they figured out there was an untapped market of die hard fans they could get some money out of.

[Messiah]

Vince going to do to indies what he did to territories back in the 80s.

[Str8Shooter]

Vince going to do to indies what he did to territories back in the 80s.

Haha I thought the same thing, he's just going to crush all the indies now too. The man is ruthless!

[AkydefGoldberg]

Yup, because Vince is just the man - if you're an indy wrestler - to trust if you want to succeed in the WWE and his booking team...

[The Legend]

Yup, because Vince is just the man - if you're an indy wrestler - to trust if you want to succeed in the WWE and his booking team...

Well in a way he absolutely is. Look at all the guys that do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. They succeed.

[Hanley!]

I don't think the indies can be crushed the way the territories were. They'll never be as big as the territories were; not with WWE around. But I don't think Vince is capable of stomping them all out. He can raid their best talent, but they'll find and create more. Companies that aren't WWE are capable of doing that.

Well in a way he absolutely is. Look at all the guys that do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. They succeed.

Depends on your definition of success really. Just being in WWE is success in one way, if wrestling is your profession. But are all of the wrestlers who listen to Vince and try hard rewarded and utilised well in a way that's beneficial for their long term careers? Not even a little bit.

[The Legend]

Well in a way he absolutely is. Look at all the guys that do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. They succeed.

Depends on your definition of success really. Just being in WWE is success in one way, if wrestling is your profession. But are all of the wrestlers who listen to Vince and try hard rewarded and utilised well in a way that's beneficial for their long term careers? Not even a little bit.

Being a pro wrestler is a career. It's a profession. It's a job. It's purpose is to make you money. John Cena is the poster boy for listening to Vince and doing exactly what he says to do. John Cena's bank account proves he's absolutely a success.

[Hanley!]

Being a pro wrestler is a career. It's a profession. It's a job. It's purpose is to make you money. John Cena is the poster boy for listening to Vince and doing exactly what he says to do. John Cena's bank account proves he's absolutely a success.

People say this kind of thing all the time, but John Cena is just one person. He's not a trend all by himself. That's not the level of success people get just for doing what Vince McMahon says. Lots of people in the company listen to Vince very carefully and work hard to do everything he says. Not all of them are as successful as John Cena.

[DBSoT]

Being a pro wrestler is a career. It's a profession. It's a job. It's purpose is to make you money. John Cena is the poster boy for listening to Vince and doing exactly what he says to do. John Cena's bank account proves he's absolutely a success.

People say this kind of thing all the time, but John Cena is just one person. He's not a trend all by himself. That's not the level of success people get just for doing what Vince McMahon says. Lots of people in the company listen to Vince very carefully and work hard to do everything he says. Not all of them are as successful as John Cena.

CM Punk even said in his podcast with Colt Cabana, that many wrestlers do similar things to Cena (make a wish, interviews, promotions over seas). The difference is that WWE doesn't promote it for other wrestlers like they do Cena. If you ever watch WWE's website or promotions, they show make a wish kids with Cena, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, or Bray Wyatt. They don't however display the make a wish for their other talent. This is intentional, they want people to believe that these are their most popular wrestlers.

[Hanley!]

I think Roman Reigns proves that a lot of the time, Vince just takes a liking to someone. Sometimes it takes talent to get you over. Sometimes it's obedience and loyalty and professionalism. But then a lot of the time, it's sheer luck. Or even more likely - look.

[Str8Shooter]

Don't be fooled into thinking a strong indy career means you're toast in WWE, that's just plain bullshit. Look at the guys recently who have or or having strong WWE runs. Rollins was just World Champ, Punk had the longest reign in a long time (yes he arguably could have been booked better, but he had a strong WWE career), Bryan had one of the biggest moments in Mania history and has had a good career, Ambrose is having a good career so far. Kevin Owens has had a pretty strong 6 months or whatever he's had, US and IC champ.

It's possible to have a great career without being the absolute top guy.