5 Recent WWE Hires & Fun Facts About Them

"Old Stars and New Favorites."

This quote, frequently found on promotional posters for wrestling events in the days before the Internet, perfectly sums up what the average wrestling fan finds appealing about sports entertainment.

They come to the arenas, tune into the cable networks, and stream the matches because they want to see familiar stars and something new, too. WWE is aware of this and takes steps to freshen up their roster on a regular basis.

The WWE has hired some new faces recently. Here's who they are, where you've seen them before, and what to expect in their future.

#5 Smith and Rowe (War Machine)

Who are they? Well-travelled tag team specialists.

Where have you seen them before? Ring of Honor, New Japan, and various indie promotions.

What can you expect from them in WWE? Hard-hitting matches with equal parts brawling, high flying, and powerful suplexes and throws.

Smith and Rowe, formerly known as War Machine, are two of the most celebrated talents to never have worked for the WWE....until now.

Todd Smith (sometimes referred to as Todd Hanson) is a sixteen year pro who started off as a swollen super heavyweight but trimmed down to a still-massive 275 pounds. He brings a deep moveset and uncanny agility to the game. It's normal to see Smith flip through the air with an arcing, high altitiude moonsault.

Raymond Rowe is only slightly less experienced than his tag team partner, and only slightly less massive. Rowe has a great deal of speed and uses martial arts strikes to complement his brutal takedowns and suplexes.

The pair have been on WWE's radar for some time now. Look for them to dominate the NXT's tag division in 2018

#4 Shayna Baszler

Who is she? A former Muay Thai fighter and MMA competitor. Also one of Ronda Rousey's "Four Horsewomen."

Where have you seen her before? In MMA, Elite XC, Strikeforce, UFC. In wrestling, Shimmer, World Wonder, and a one-off appearance for ROH. Made it to the finals of the Mae Young Classic.

What you can expect from her in the WWE: Stiff striking, powerful submissions, and a superstar presence that radiates like the sun.

Shayna Baszler is one of the world's toughest women, having reached the rank of Khun Kru in Muay Thai--meaning she is qualified to train other fighters due to her accomplished skill, among other cultural caveats. She is also well versed in Brazilian Ju Jitsu. If you think this is a perfect combination for MMA, you'd be correct.

Shayna Baszler made the jump from MMA to wrestling because she's always been a fan, and because wrestling fandom isn't as mercurial as those that follow mixed martial arts, where one bad night or loss can brand a fighter a has-been.

You can expect Shayna Baszler to eat her way through the NXT women's roster in 2018.

#3 Ricochet

Who is he? A high-flying, well-traveled ten year veteran who can mix it up with any wrestling style but really shines in the Jr. weight classes.

Where have you seen him before? Ricochet has been in the business since 2006, and has appeared for Dragongate, New Japan, and Lucha Underground (where he was known as Prince Puma.) as well as various indie promotions.

What you can expect from him in the WWE: Ricochet has all the speed and technique to hang with the 205 Live crowd, but due to his larger frame for a cruiserweight he can also compete against larger men. His matches are blink-and-you-miss-it affairs of speed, agility, and strong-style strikes.

The former Super Junior Tournament Champion isn't as decorated as Smith and Rowe, but has some minor title reigns and tag team reigns under his belt.

Considered by many the best in the world at his weight class, Ricochet is just hitting his career prime and should be a part of WWE programming for years to come.

#2 Dakota Kai

Who is she? A New Zealander of mixed Samoan and Irish heritage, this ten year veteran has already held gold in Australia and her home country.

Where have you seen her before? Shimmer, World Wonder, and Shine, as well as the Mae Young Classic.

What can you expect from her in WWE? Don't let her pretty face fool you; The "Captain of team Kick" is as vicious and violent a striker as the sport has ever seen.

Dakota Kai has been on WWE's radar for some time now, having her earliest match (a squash loss to Nia Jax) in 2015.

In the Mae Young Classic, Dakota Kai put on a good showing before being eliminated by Kairi Sane.

Dakota Kai is just what WWE loves in a women's wrestler; a tough athlete who is also cute as a button. Expect Dakota's experience to give her an edge over the competition, though she's probably in the number three slot in NXT behind Moon and Baszler.

#1 Ronda Rousey

Who is she? Have you been living under a rock? Rousey is the woman who proved that women's MMA could sell boatloads of tickets and PPV buys.

Where have you seen her before? A former Olympic Judo medalist, she has also fought for the UFC and put their women's division on the cultural map.

What we can expect from her in the WWE: Quite frankly, Ronda will be pushed to the moon. Her stature with non-wrestling media looms large enough to guarantee a lot of interest in her career. Ronda's athletic prowess is also phenomenal, and she can put much of her MMA training to good use in a wrestling ring.

The former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Judoka is the highest profile hire the WWE has had in years, possibly ever. There are monks cloistered away in mountaintop chapels who have heard of Ronda Rousey and what she can do in a cage fighting match.

Those same people will tune in in droves to see how Ronda Rousey fares in pro wrestling. Her marketability and legit real world toughness mean her career trajectory literally has no limits.

Now you're up to speed on the WWE's newest hires. Be sure to comment and let us know what you think.

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