Jay Lethal and AJ LeeWhile we aren’t well and truly into 2016 yet, the WWE Universe has already witnessed the ups and downs of being a wrestling fan. While the likes of Austin Aries, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura have signed with WWE, one of the greatest wrestlers of this generation, and the most popular WWE superstar has been forced to call it a day.While professional wrestling has always been unpredictable due to the risks involved in the business, the fans can be optimistic about the future of the company. WWE has been going all out in bringing some of the brightest talents under one roof – NXT, and with the likes of Balor, Zayn, Crews etc facing each other, NXT is considered as the mecca of the independents.With WWE announcing the launch of the new Global Cruiserweight Series on WWE Network later this year, more number of talents will get the opportunity to perform in front of millions on viewers worldwide.Today, we look at 10 independent wrestlers who should be signed by WWE.
#10 Johnny Gargano
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Johnny “Wrestling” Gargano isn’t new to the WWE Universe. Gargano has been performing on NXT, although he hasn’t signed a contract with WWE. Gargano is one of the few independent talents who have been given the opportunity to perform on NXT without agreeing to or signing a contract with the company.
Johnny has been competing on the independent circuit for more than a decade and is one of the most recognizable faces in North America.
WWE has been keeping an eye on Johnny for a while, as he first performed for WWE back in 2007. Johnny Gargano then participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament and has received positive reviews.
While Johnny regularly performers for promotions such as Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Dragon Gate USA and Evolve, many believe that it is only a matter of time before WWE offers Gargano a developmental contract.
#9 Tommaso Ciampa
Similar to Johnny, Tommaso has been brought in as a free agent to work on NXT. Tommaso teamed up with Johnny Gargano during the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, and he has been frequently featured on NXT in singles’ competition.
Tommaso was trained by the legendary Killer Kowalski, and began his career back in 2005.
WWE signed Tommaso to a developmental contract after a couple of tryout matches, and Tommaso was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). However, due to injuries and the officials at OVW not having anything on the creative front for Tommaso, he was released from his contract later that year, and Tommaso started performing on the independents.
Tommaso made a name for himself in Ring of Honor, where he won the ROH World Television Championship in 2013. Ciampa also unsuccessfully challenged the then ROH World Champion – Michael Elgin – and lost his last match for the promotion against Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television Championship.
#8 Adam Cole
Adam Cole has been one of the few superstars to have been constantly linked with a move to WWE.
A mainstay for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) in his early years, Adam Cole was named the Rookie of the Year in 2010 by Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Cole started performing for various other promotions such as Evolve, Dragon Gate USA, Chikara and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG).
However, it was in Ring of Honor that Cole started making an impact. Cole initially teamed up with Kyle O’Reilly and formed the Future Shock. Cole then went solo and defeated the then ROH TV champion, Roderick Strong for the title. Cole’s title reign lasted for an impressive 246 days, and Cole started chasing the ROH World Championship.
Cole eventually defeated Michael Elgin in the finals of a tournament to determine the new ROH World Champion and held the title for 275 days. During this period, Cole faced the likes of Elgin, Briscoe, Hero, Tommaso and Kevin Steen (WWE’s Kevin Owens).
Cole’s career has been plagued by various injuries, but with Adam Cole now being injury free, WWE is reportedly interested in signing him soon.
#7 The Young Bucks
At number 7 are the perennial favorites to be signed by the biggest sports entertainment organization in the world. The Young Bucks have been living up to their name and have been the standout performers as a tag team in the past few years.
Recently, Chris Jericho had them over on his podcast, and the former undisputed WWE champion called them the hottest team in the world.
From winning titles in different countries to putting on some of the best tag team matches you could ever see, The Young Bucks have done it all. Wrestling Observer Newsletter has named The Young Bucks as the Tag Team of the Year for the past two years, and while Bucks have performed for TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling, for years, the fans have wanted to see them perform in WWE.
While the brothers have received numerous tryouts – with Matt performing on SmackDown a couple of times – the duo came close to signing with WWE back in 2011.
However, the company pulled out of the agreement, and rumors started cropping up about The Bucks being disrespectful towards the veteran superstars. However, those theories have since been put to rest by Booker T.
#6 Kota Ibushi
Of the two Japanese wrestlers on the list, Kota Ibushi can join WWE as soon as this Summer, during the Global Cruiserweight Series.
The former DDT and NJPW wrestler gave notice to both the organizations and is currently a “freelancer” – an alternative term for a free agent. Ibushi took the decision earlier this week, sparking a rumor linking the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion to WWE.
Ibushi also wrestled for the American promotions, such as Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and Evolve. While working for Ring of Honor, Ibushi was involved in matches against the likes of Davey Richards, Claudio Castagnoli (WWE’s Cesaro) and El Generico (WWE’s Sami Zayn).
In 2011, Ibushi won the prestigious Best of the Super Juniors tournament and faced Prince Devitt (WWE’s Finn Balor) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and won the title for the first time.
Ibushi would go on to win the title on two more occasions, and also won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, along with Kenny Omega. Ibushi would undoubtedly be a great addition to WWE’s roster, and if rumors are to be believed, he will sign with the company sometime this year.
#5 Jay Lethal
Although Jay Lethal is primarily known to the common fans for his time with TNA, Jay Lethal has done phenomenally well ever since he left the company. Jay has proved his mettle, adapting admirably well to different storylines and angles.
His “Black Machismo” persona, and his impersonation of Ric Flair in TNA showed that he isn’t just a great wrestler, but can be a great entertainer as well.
Lethal won the X – Division championship on six different occasions, and after leaving TNA, Lethal once again returned to Ring of Honor, competing against the likes of Davey Richards and El Generico. Although Lethal won the ROH World Television Championship, he achieved top status in the company when he defeated Jay Briscoe to become a double champion – the ROH World Heavyweight champion as well as the ROH World Television champion.
Lethal is currently in the midst of a phenomenal run as the ROH World Champion, and is in his prime. It would be wise on WWE’s part to sign Lethal up, given his history with some of the current stars on NXT.
#4 Candice LeRae
The only woman on this list, and deservedly so. Candice LeRae has been the standout women’s wrestler in North America and hasn’t shied away from taking some sick bumps at the hands of the other men.
Candice is also engaged to Johnny Gargano in real life, and the duo has been working on the independents for years.
Candice and Joey Ryan formed The World’s Cutest Tag Team and won the PWG World Tag Team championships in mid-2014. Candice also challenged numerous male competitors, including the then PWG World Champion, Adam Cole for the title. She also made an appearance for TNA at the Turning Point PPV in 2013, where she challenged the then TNA Knockouts champion, Gail Kim for the title.
Candice has made a name for herself defying the gender roles in professional wrestling, and is one of the most popular wrestlers on the independent circuit in North America.
#3 Kenny Omega
Kenny has been a mainstay on the independents throughout his career, spanning well over 15 years. Kenny is in the midst of his first run as the IWGP Intercontinental champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling – a title he won after defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Kenny Omega joined The Bullet Club back in 2014, and is currently a part of The Elite stable, along with The Young Bucks.
Kenny’s current gimmick has drawn comparisons with Brian Pillman’s “loose cannon” persona, although Kenny is more calculated and not impulsive. Recently, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks have been calling out The New Day, and have been spotted on air wearing The New Day’s shirts. While there’s no point reading too much into the entire story, Kenny Omega would undoubtedly make a great addition to WWE’s roster.
#2 Kazuchika Okada
“The Rainmaker” is arguably the most popular wrestler in Japan today. The current IWGP Heavyweight champion has risen through the ranks in the past decade, and has delivered numerous five-star matches, earning a reputation as one of the best workers in the business.
Okada is currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is one of the company’s indispensable stars.
Okada briefly worked for Total Nonstop Action wrestling from 2010 to 2011, but the company failed to see his true potential and utilize him properly. After his return to NJPW, Okada won the NJPW Heavyweight championship for the first time after defeating Tanahashi, setting up a long, heated rivalry, which would see the championship change hands on multiple occasions.
Okada also won the prestigious G1 Climax tournament twice in his career. With Hideo Itami and Shinsuke Nakamura being signed up by WWE, many believe that the next Japanese superstar who would be making his way to the company would be Okada.
#1 Ricochet
At number one is arguably the greatest high flying wrestler in the world today, Ricochet. Starting his career in Chikara, Ricochet soon started making waves, and began competing for Evolve, Dragon Gate, Dragon Gate USA and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
He won numerous titles at Dragon Gate, and was voted as the Best Flying Wrestler by Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
Ricochet then started working for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2013, and has since won the prestigious Best of Super Juniors tournament in 2014, Super Juniors Tag Tournament in 2015, and is one-half of the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champions. Ricochet has been lauded as one of the best talents in the world, and his time with Lucha Underground, where he performs as Prince Puma, saw him becoming the Lucha Underground champion.
There are reports that WWE is interested in using Ricochet for the upcoming Global Cruiserweight Series, and time will tell if Ricochet becomes the next independent sensation to sign with the company.
