Some have contracts expiring the minute 2019 starts while others may have signed contracts that extend through a part of 2019.
One thing is for sure - as other promotions gain steam globally (ROH, NJPW, AAA), WWE will try to sign as many talents as they can. The competition makes every promotion’s product better.
Like any business, WWE will likely want to stop these wrestlers from going to another promotion. It will likely hurt the competition while also making themselves much better in the process.
A lot of the following wrestlers have been on the WWE radar for years while some have come to the forefront in 2018.
Some may go to NXT first while others might jump to the main roster. Not everyone on this list is guaranteed to be in WWE in 2019, but a few just might be.
Whatever the case may turn out to be, we should strap ourselves in for what will be a rumour-filled, highly-contested end of 2018 in the pro-wrestling free agency.
2019 just might be the year we can say Pentagon Jr or Kenny Omega is a WWE superstar.
#10: ROSEMARY
Rosemary hasn’t been seen on Impact very much lately, but she was part of a vignette with Allie in the Underworld at Bound For Glory.
Rosemary’s character is something WWE doesn’t currently have and it is completely different from anything they’ve ever done with a female performer.
Many have clamoured for her to be Sister Abigail, but she shouldn’t be pigeonholed into that role.
Her character work is already light years ahead of a lot of ladies on the roster (Tamina, Carmella, Mickie James, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan) and she’s a legitimate threat in the ring.
She’s not perfect in the ring, but she’s a lot better currently than the likes of Lana, Mandy Rose, Liv Morgan and Alicia Fox.
She’s even been in some hardcore matches, so if you don’t want to hurt one of the franchise players (Charlotte, Alexa Bliss, Ronda) in a TLC match, Rosemary is your answer.
She has previously stated that she is happy in Impact and in the other independent promotions in which she competes.
But you never know - the offer might be too much to refuse.
#9: KILLER KROSS
Of course, they’d probably change the ‘killer’ part of his name, but they may not. Killer Kelly is a part of the NXT UK division, so maybe he can keep the moniker.
The dude is 6'4’’ and 265 pounds. That’s the ideal size for WWE. But his physical attributes aren’t the only reason why Killer Kross is getting looks from everyone from WWE to NJPW.
His delivery during promos isn’t rushed and his words are carefully chosen and well calculated.
While in Impact, he’s been a chaotic, physical threat who’s tried to hurt guys like Eddie Edwards, Fallah Bah and Johnny Impact. He’s violent and he has no problem showing it.
He’s like that guy who tells you he’s going to end you with a calm, straight face. His delivery is as haunting as his words.
His mantra of ‘suffering is the way’ is a bit extreme, but the more you listen to him, the more you can understand his words. He’s similar to the Joker in the Dark Knight.
He’s been wrestling with AAA in Mexico, Impact in North America and Lucha Underground in the USA. He’s a unique blend of power mixed with a calm chaos.
He debuted in Impact as the ‘X Marks the Spot’ attacker that had been plaguing Impact for the better part of early-to-mid 2018.
He’s allegedly a former bare-knuckle brawler and he has a background in judo. He checks all the boxes WWE likes and he would be a bigger, stronger and more violent version of ‘Lunatic Fringe’ Dean Ambrose.
#8: MIL MUERTES
With the Undertaker set to retire soon, the WWE may look elsewhere to cultivate another formidable supernatural threat.
They’ve tried and failed with Bray Wyatt. It was off to a good start, but after Wyatt lost practically every feud he was in, he lost all of his credibility.
He’s currently off TV, perhaps for a repackaging. His return might come before or during the Royal Rumble.
Enter the Man of 1,000 Deaths, Mil Muertes.
Muertes has also wrestled in AAA as Ricky Banderas and he’s been one of the bigger stars in Mexico for the last decade.
His supernatural character has been one of the foundational characters on which the legend of Lucha Underground was built.
He’s strong, sudden and has a power-based move set including a spear, a flat-liner and a bevvy of strikes.
He speaks English well which is extremely important for a non-English speaking professional wrestler in WWE.
It’s why Shinsuke Nakamura and Andrade Almas have had shots in WWE. Although their English is anything from perfect, they are either passable enough or were given a mouthpiece (Zelina Vega).
Lucha Underground isn’t necessarily assured a fifth season, although it should get one.
A lot of the big names might be leaving, like a few later on this list, so it might be a little harder to man a credible roster.
Although he’s over 40, Muertes looks incredible and is still great in the ring. Watch any of his Grave Consequences matches or title matches with Pentagon Jr., King Cuerno, Prince Puma, etc.
AJ Styles, John Cena, R Truth and Bobby Fish are all over 40 and all (except Cena) are heavily featured on their respective brands.
He’d probably come without Catrina, though. Or maybe they could pair him with Rosemary if she’s also signed.
#7: MARTY SCURLL
Scurll was originally a member of one of the seasons of TNA/Impact’s British Boot Camp.
Ever since then, he’s built up his villain persona to be one of the most entertaining in the world.
Other members who were a part of that show include Rockstar Spud (Drake Maverick), Nikki Cross (Nikki Storm), Mark Andrews, Noam Dar, Dave Mastiff, El Ligero and Viper.
All of the above have also had exposure with the WWE, whether it be in 205 Live, NXT UK or NXT. Of all the wrestlers mentioned above, only Viper isn’t still associated with WWE in one way or another.
Also while competing in British Boot Camp, Scurll became a fixture in British promotions Progress, Rev Pro Wrestling and Insane Championship Wrestling.
Whatever he decides, Scurll would be a huge addition to either the main roster, NXT or NXT UK.
He knows a lot of the aforementioned wrestlers and wasn’t among the group of Elite wrestlers who pledged to stay together.
He also already has a well-defined character so he could go either to the main roster or spend some time in NXT or NXT UK.
With so many top-level wrestlers going from ROH to WWE over the last few years, Scurll will either stay and be elevated to the main event or follow suit.
He’s proven in NJPW and ROH that he’s great in the ring and can have submission-based matches or fast-paced ones.
He might be a building block for ROH to build around in the future, but he might chase the money and join some of the former ROH/NJPW wrestlers in WWE.
Triple H has clearly had his eye on European wrestling over the last five years, so don’t be surprised if a Villain joins the ranks of WWE.
#6: FENIX
If you haven’t seen Fenix wrestle, man are you missing out.
His mastery of the ropes boggles my mind. It must take an immense amount of balance for someone to be able to transverse the top ropes (without the turnbuckle in play) like he is able to do.
Fenix is an explosive high-flyer who has participated in many hardcore matches in Lucha Underground. It’s not to say that’s his speciality, but that he extremely versatile.
His battles with Mil Muertes, Matanza Cueto and practically anyone he’s wrestled in LU have been impressive.
He speaks enough English to get by so that helps his chances. He’s been a fixture in the US West-Coast Indy scene, winning titles in PCW, AAA and LU.
He’s also wrestled two guys currently under the WWE umbrella in Rey Mysterio and Ricochet.
WWE would likely have him tone down his style a bit. If he did, he should not be placed on 205 Live. He’s one of this generation’s greatest performers and he deserves to be seen on one of the three big shows - RAW, Smackdown or NXT.
The rumours have been swirling for months that the two brothers were heading to WWE once the calendar turns to 2019, so time will only tell.
#5: KING CUERNO/EL HIJO DEL FANTASMA
King Cuerno/El Hijo del Fantasma might not be as well known as Fenix or Pentagon Jr., but he’s just as talented.
He had a stint in Impact Wrestling earlier this year thanks to the talent exchange between Impact and AAA.
One huge benefit of Fantasma’s appeal is that he speaks perfect English. Not having to learn the language helps put the wrestler’s focus solely on learning the WWE style.
Learning the style for Fantasma wouldn’t be hard. He already toned down his style a bit in Impact but he wouldn’t have to change much if signed by WWE.
Fantasma also has the best suicide dive in the business called the ‘Arrow from the Depths of Hell’. He takes two trips back and forth on the ropes to get as much momentum as possible. It’s dangerous but that’s why they call it a suicide dive.
He’s also a good blend of power moves, speed moves and strikes. He can wrestle any style. His big-game hunter gimmick might be altered, but his skill isn’t dependent upon his character.
Fun fact - he was featured on an ESPN piece when the Patriots and the Raiders in an NFL game in Mexico last season. He showed Pats’ players Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman some Lucha Libre moves. It was hilarious.
#4: SHANE STRICKLAND/KILLSHOT
With Lucha Underground wrapping up before the end of 2018, a lot of competitors will see their contracts come up.
Wrestling under the name Killshot for LU, Strickland has been on WWE’s radar for a few years.
You can thank WWE/Triple H’s relationship with Evolve for that.
Like a lot of the Lucha Underground wrestlers, he’s a perfect blend of speed, striking and power moves.
He does tend to lean a little more to striking and high-flying, but he can pull off any style.
If you haven’t seen him wrestle, look up his match with Dante Fox (AR Fox) called a ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ match. It’s insane.
He’s also been close to guys like Matt Riddle and Keith Lee, so he’d have connections to play off of already built in. Maybe pair him with or have him feud with one or both of those guys.
Evolve has often been the next step for guys like Riddle and Lee, so maybe Strickland is next in line.
#3: THE YOUNG BUCKS
The Young Bucks are one of the biggest acts outside of the WWE.
They take the art of tag-team wrestling to another level. Most of their moves are tandem moves rather than just a jumble of unrelated singles’ moves.
They’ve become synonymous with superkicks and have won most of the titles offered to them in tag or trios wrestling in both NJPW and ROH.
They’ve previously stated before that they are perfectly content with the money they make and the schedule they have on the independent/non-WWE scene.
That’s something that cannot be overlooked. In the pressure cooker of professional wrestling, comfort is huge both physically, mentally and emotionally.
While they’ve made a huge impact on the wrestling industry outside of WWE, they might even be able to make a bigger impact within WWE.
If they do join with Kenny Omega in WWE, it would give the biggest wrestling promotion in the world another main-event faction that could feud with anybody.
They could be an invading group trying to show WWE that the WWE isn’t the best but that Omega and the Bucks are the true Elite of the industry. Like the NWO taking over WCW or WWE.
Whatever the case is, the three have said they’ll all stick together wherever they’re wrestling in 2019 with Cody and Adam Page.
If they keep their words, great for them. Whichever promotion lands their services will be in a very good position. If it’s WWE, then a huge blow will be struck against ROH and NJPW.
#2: PENTAGON JR.
If you are a pro wrestling fan and not just a WWE fan, you know the name Pentagon Jr. Or Pentagon Dark. Or Penta El OM.
His gimmick of ninja skeleton is a blend of Lucha Libre and Japanese Strong Style. He’s technical, a striking dynamo and can pull out the high flying moves when needed.
But perhaps his biggest asset is his charisma. Like Nakamura, his inability to fluently speak English isn’t a big problem because you could fill buckets with the charisma he oozed on his way to the ring.
He’s a Lucha Libre Steve Austin, choosing violence and ‘Cero Miedo (No Fear)’ over passive aggression. Think Stone Cold during his prime when he was running rampant against Mr McMahon.
He’s the true antihero and is cheered whether the face or heel. He’s in that realm of popularity.
If he and his brother does sign with WWE, it would mean they might have the potential huge Latino attraction they’ve been looking for to replace Rey Mysterio.
Rey isn’t getting any younger and isn’t as good as he was. He’s still passable in the ring, but he’s had numerous knee and lower leg injuries.
Pentagon Jr. is still relatively young at 33 and he and his brother could just be the Latino stars WWE has been looking for.
He’s also fought Ricochet, Mysterio and was a part of All In against the next man on the list.
#1: KENNY OMEGA
Omega is quite possibly the biggest name in the world not signed to WWE.
Like a lot of wrestlers under contract to NJPW, their contracts expire after Wrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4, 2019.
So let the annual ‘is Kenny Omega going to WWE’ rumours begin.
He’s clearly been on Triple H’s radar and he’s been offered a contract at least twice over the last two years.
Omega has opted to stay in NJPW and briefly ROH to help build NJPW to the global power it is today. It’s clear he takes pride in that fact and he has been instrumental in helping NJPW expand its influence to the US.
He is currently the IWGP Heavyweight champion after ending Kazuchika Okada’s record-breaking reign.
He also has said that he enjoys the creative freedom he’s been given under the NJPW umbrella, so maybe that might deter him from signing with WWE.
Kenny is used to wrestling in matches in excess of 20 minutes, so maybe he’d be great for fighting Triple H in a match.
He has stated that another thing holding him back from signing with WWE is wanting to have a match with his best friend and fellow Golden Lover, Kota Ibushi. They’ll have fought by year’s end, so anything’s possible.
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