The WWE keeps raiding the independent scene for talent to stock NXT with experienced workers. You would think the well would run dry of new guys, but they keep emerging. New talented wrestlers keep making a name for themselves by wrestling for independent promotions all over the world.
If you’re expecting this list to be full of New Japan talent like Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks or even Cody Rhodes, you’d be disappointed. New Japan isn’t an indie promotion in my eyes. If so, Kazuchika Okada, Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito would top the list. NJPW have so much homegrown talent that I decided to not include those guys on this list. I did add a few gaijins (foreigners) who work for New Japan (as well as otehr promotions), but they’re not the tippy-top guys.
Also, I decided to exclude the guys who are already signed by WWE to UK deals like Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven. Even though I would love the WWE to sign those guys to full-time U.S. deals, they are technically already signed.
This list was huge and I had to narrow it down to 25. By narrowing it down, I decided to take all the women wrestlers off the list and they will get their own list later…because there are so many awesome women wrestlers all over the world.
Keith Lee
Keith Lee is an athletic powerhouse on the indie scene. He is around 6’3 and 330 lbs, but can work like a man half his size as well. He is out there having classics with Matt Riddle (above) and gained rave reviews for his match against WALTER on Pro Wrestling Guerrilla last year. Lee is already be on WWE’s radar as rumors of him already signing a contract have swirled since the beginning of 2018. I think we will see the big man with the company this year.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre is currently in the midst of a nice push in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He recently won the New Japan Cup and defeated from all-greats on the way to the tournament win. He’s a member of the Suzuki-gun stable headed by Minoru Suzuki. Sabre has already made a few appearances in WWE as he was in the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic. There was no doubt he was courted to sign a long-term deal, but just like Kota Ibushi, he decided to not sign then. It was a smart decision as he would have been put in the horrible Cruiserweight division and could be languishing like Gran Metalik is right now. Sabre is a master of submissions and is the best technical wrestlers in the indies. I believe it is only a matter of time before Sabre takes the leap, but it could still be a few years away.
Pentagon Jr.
Pentagon Jr. has been wrestling in Mexico for over a decade. He has been known in the United States for most of his career, but didn’t really become a star until he was one of the most interesting characters on Lucha Underground. He has a great look and is fantastic in the ring. He was stuck in a horrible contract with LU (like Ricochet) that didn’t allow him to wrestle in any other U.S. wrestling promotion that has a TV deal. I’m not sure about his current status, but I know he did appear this coming season (as they already taped everything). He makes the rounds on the indies as a singles wrestlers and also tags with his brother Ray Fenix. WWE is in dire need of a Mexican star, but has missed the boat on many Mexican wrestlers they’ve signed over the years. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas (formerly La Sombra) looked like a washout in WWE until about the last six months. I previously mentioned Gran Metalik (formerly Mascara Dorada), who has been a ‘205 Live’ lower card guy. Many Mexican wrestlers could look at how little WWE has used such a great talent and decide against making the leap.
Travis Banks
Banks has been a solid wrestler the last five years, but the New Zealander didn’t really make a name for himself in the United States until his debut at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in the 2017 Battle of Los Angeles. He had a great showing in matches against Mark Haskins, Marty Scurll and Ricochet. He moved to the UK a few years ago and has been a mainstay at PROGRESS and Revolution Pro. The WWE should swoop in and sign the kiwi and get him under a deal. At the very least, he should be a guy who appears on their WWE UK shows. He faces Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and the other guys quite a bit already. He would fit in well with that crew as his size wouldn’t be an issue as the other WWE UK guys are around his height of 5’9.
WALTER
WALTER is one of the most interesting wrestlers on this list. He was arguable unknown in the States until he started to make appearances in EVOLVE and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. His home promotion is Westside Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) in Germany. In an interview last year with Wrestling Observer Radio, he said that he was very comfortable there. He’s also the head trainer at WXW’s wrestling school. Just like Keith Lee, there are a rumors of his WWE contract status. Not only is WALTER a great singles wrestlers, but his tag team with Timothy Thatcher (Ringkampf) is one of the best in Europe. Also, something that made WALTER stand out on the indies was possibly the hardest chops in the history of wrestling. This dude is only 30 and could be a big star for WWE.
Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Lance Archer)
You’re most likely already aware of at least one of these former WWE wrestlers. Davey Boy Smith Jr. (D.H. Smith) and Lance Archer (Vance Archer) have been a tag team since 2012. They have had success in Japan at both New Japan and NOAH. They are huge guys and both stand over 6’5. They are also members of Suzuki-gun, like Zack Sabre Jr.. I would love to see these guys have matches in WWE again. Smith has added to his body and has become better in the ring. Archer adds a lot more charisma and heel heat to the tag team. Smith is still only 32, but Archer is now 41…so times a’ticking on him.
Jimmy Havoc
Havoc is the longest-reigning PROGRESS World Champion. He also works for Defiant and Insane Championship Wrestling, both in the UK. He has made a name for himself as one of the bigger stars in the UK indie scene. He got his start at NWA UK Hammerlock alonside Zack Sabre Jr. and Fergal Devitt (Finn Balor). He was once only known as a ‘deathmatch’ guy, but has become much more than that over the years. He would be a nice addition to the WWE’s UK roster, but I think he would be a better fit in NXT. He has star quality, like Aleister Black, who also wrestled against Havoc in the UK.
Brody King
For a guy who has only been wrestling for less than three years, the guy is amazing. The fact that he’s already getting invited to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is a huge accomplishment for a guy who has been in the business for this short of time. He’s a big guy listed at 6’5 and 285 lbs and would fit in at WWE, who is looking to add bigger guys as future opponents for Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. All the poise and technicality he has shown already would lead for him to be a perfect addition to NXT. He appears to have the fundamentals down, but they could further his character work.
Matt Riddle
Riddle is arguably the best wrestler out there on the independents. He’s another guy who has picked up pro wrestling in a hurry. He started out as a fighter in the UFC. He was 8-3 and had a promising future, but kept failing drug tests as he was a marijuana smoker. He fought for a couple other MMA companies, but decided to pursue a career in pro wrestling. The rumor is that he had a WWE tryout very early and decided against signing him then (I think the pot stuff scared them off), but they steered him towards the WWE-friendly World Wrestling Network promotion EVOLVE. There might even be a ‘right of first refusal’ handshake deal with WWE. If he gets an exclusive offer from another promotion, WWE can step in and sign him. This is all rumor and innuendo, but has been a rumor since he started with EVOLVE. Riddle made his wrestling debut in early-2015. He has since wrestled all over the world making appearances at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Revolution Pro, Combat Zone Wrestling, and many others. He has already appeared in many 4 3/4 star matches (or better) in his career. He also has had success as a tag team as a member of The Chosen Bros with Jeff Cobb (who also appears on this list). There’s no doubt Riddle will be a mega-star in WWE.
Jay Lethal
If I made this same list a decade ago, Lethal would have been on it. He’s been wrestling since 2001 and had long runs in Total Nonstop Action and Ring of Honor. He had an historic run a few years ago as he became the longest-reigning ROH World Television Champion in their history by holding the title for 567 days. There were rumors of him leaving to go to WWE then and his name comes up about every three months as a possible new face in NXT. He has a ton of charisma and is a great talker to go with his in-ring skills. He’s not even in his mid-30’s and could still have a nice run in WWE. I’m sure he gets tired of constantly having to answer the WWE rumors, but it’s because we all would like for him to have success in WWE like his former ROH foe Adam Cole is having right now.
Marty Scurll
I was really trying to avoid adding any Bullet Club members on this list as people are already well aware of them. Of course the Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Cody Rhodes would be awesome in WWE, but I think Scurll is a darkhorse of the group. His WWE prospects is only surpassed by Omega. Yes, Scurll is better suited for WWE than even the Young Bucks. I just have a feeling that the WWE top brass would try to humble the Bucks if they ever decided to finally sign with them. Scurll has an interesting character and stage presence to go along with his technical wrestling. Like many on this list, Scurll got his start in the UK wrestling scene at PROGRESS, Insane Championship Wrestling and Revolution Pro. He had a very forgettable run in TNA, but reappeared in the States with great matches at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He is currently working in Ring of Honor (where is a former World Champion) and New Japan. I’m not sure when his deal is up, but I’m sure WWE is looking at the calendar to see if they can persuade him to come over.
Sami Callihan
Calihan has had an interesting career path since asking for his NXT release in 2015. He was in NXT for nearly three years as Solomon Crowe, but injuries, and maybe apathy towards his character, led him to become stagnant. Upon his release, he instantly became one of the most in-demand wrestlers on the independent circuit. He also had a role on Lucha Underground as Jeremiah Crane. He is now making appearances in Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He was recently in a scandal as he had an in-ring accident and hit Eddie Edwards in the eye with a real baseball bat. He then went on Twitter and made some kayfabe remarks that were taken the wrong way, as if he wasn’t sorry at all. Would Callihan ever go back to WWE? I’m not sure the answer to that question. I know he’s recently been vocal about how SAniTy (the stable in NXT led by Eric Young) was his idea. Maybe that ruffled some feathers of WWE’s top brass. Also, Callihan is making more money on the indies right now than he earned when he was in NXT. I still think he could be a star in the WWE and they should go after him again.
Will Ospreay
I honestly did my best to avoid New Japan guys, but Ospreay is one of the best high-flyers in the world. He had epic matches against Ricochet that put him on the map. It really started a flood of five-star matches on the indie level. He is in CHAOS in New Japan and is the current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion. He is coming off a recent five-star match in defense of that title against Marty Scurll. Ospreay is only 24 years old, but he is often beaten up physically. He only knows one gear and has avoided any major injuries, but how long can he avoid them with his style? I worry that he will be ‘used up’ by the time he’s 30 if he doesn’t go to WWE in the next few years. He wouldn’t have awesome match after awesome match in WWE, but he can pace himself a little more. He could go about 60% most nights and really turn it up for big matches. He has recently talked about wanting to build up pro wrestling in Australia, his girlfriend’s home country. I’m not sure how high the WWE is on his priority list at the moment.
Adam Brooks
Speaking of Australia, Brooks is one of the brightest young prospects to come out of that country in a long time. He has been a staple in Melbourne City Wrestling as both a tag team (The Loose and Wreckless) and as a singles wrestler. He has recently started to appear at Pro Wresting Guerrilla in the United States. He already has a connection to WWE as he was trained by current ‘205 Live’ wrestler Buddy Murphy. There has been an influx of Australian talent in WWE has Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, and TM61 all call Australia home. Brooks might be the next wrestler from down under to make it to WWE.
Extra Talent-ED (Aaron Solow & Ricky Starks)
Aaron Solow and Ricky Starks have been a tag team for a few years. They haven’t had the same success as other guys on the list, but think they are destined to get there. Both have had their cameos in WWE as, umm, extra talent. Both have appeared in squash matches and Solow was an alternate to appear in the first Cruiserweight Classic. They have recently appeared for WrestleCircus (former tag team champions) and the new upstart lucha wrestling company, Aro Lucha. Keep an eye on them as they could be on their way to some big things.
Darby Allin
Allin grew up skateboarding and is a creative in-ring worker. He is very good for only being in the business a few years. I love his presentation and backstory living on the streets. He has something very genuine about him. It’s only 5’8 and ‘maybe’ 180 lbs, but could become a fan favorite in WWE. Being as different as he is, his look and his creative moves, he’s almost a no-brainer for WWE to sign. He’s in WWN, so WWE are aware of him as they have scouts at just about every big EVOLVE show. I think it’s only a matter of time before he signed with NXT.
Tyler Bateman
It’s unfortunate that Tyler Bateman had to choose a wrestling name that would be so similar to another wrestler (Tyler Bate). I’m sure these guys will be confused with each other the rest of their careers. Bateman is from Oklahoma and has been wrestling in smaller indies since he made his debut in 2001. He just recently started to get invited to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, who really only invites the best of the best these days. He is also in the tag team Violence Unlimted with Brody King, who was listed earlier. He’s in his mid-thirties and if a WWE run is in his future, it needs to happen in the next couple years. He attended a WWE tryout earlier this year, so he is on WWE’s radar. He’s a talented guy and deserves a larger platform.
Joey Janela
Janela has been wrestling for almost a decade, but was under the radar until he took a bump off the roof (onto a truckbed that was on fire, barbed wire and full of light tubes) from hardcore legend Zandig. That video went viral and everyone wondered what kind of dude would take such a risk to his body. It’s a bit ironic how that was what made him breakout, as he has becomes more technical as he gets more fame. He still takes big bumps, but now they are in more of a controlled setting. He then had one of the best events during Wrestlemania 33 weekend in Orlando, ‘Joey Janela’s Spring Break’. It was so successful that he did it all again the next year during Mania weekend in New Orleans. His stock is high and WWE should sign him before his price gets even higher.
Austin Theory
Austin Theory is what Vince McMahon dreams of at night. He’s over 6’0, a competitive bodybuilder and he’s only 20 years old. He has just two years under his belt, but he’s still moldable. He was just at a WWE tryout early this year and the company tends to shy away from guys as young as Theory. They like guys who are just a little older. I wouldn’t be surprised if WWE let him stay at EVOLVE until he’s at least 22 years of age. EVOLVE have a lot of great, young talent. I expect a lot of guys there right now will be in the WWE system in the coming years.
Dalton Castle
Castle is one of the most charismatic wrestlers on the independent scene. He started off in Chikara and instantly became an attraction when he debuted in Ring of Honor in 2013. He has an androgynous character and comes out with two shirtless guys who fawn over him, known as ‘The Boys.’ He won the ROH World Championship in late 2017 and as of this writing, is still champion. He is on top of the promotion and would take huge balls to make the jump now. I’m not sure when his contract is over, but there’s no doubt WWE would love to have him in NXT.
Mark Haskins
Haskins is one of the best British indie wrestlers on the scene. He has wrestled all over Europe and the UK, as well as a forgettable time in TNA (they have whiffed on many great talents). After his short time in TNA, he returned to the British indies on a regular basis. He is a mainstay in PROGRESS and Defiant, and has been making consistent appearances at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in the States. He is a known name in the UK, and at the very least, should be on the WWE UK roster. The WWE has been dragging their feet on that idea, so they could miss out on him if he ends up signing an exclusive TV deal with another UK promotion.
Soberano Jr.
I wanted to make sure to add a young talent from CMLL. Soberano Jr. is only 24 and has a history in the business as his father is Euforia. He started in the CMLL wrestling school in 2010 and has been a consistent wrestler in CMLL since 2012. There are more charismatic young masked luchadores in CMLL, but Soberano is very smooth in the ring. The WWE has a very poor record on signing Mexican wrestlers since they signed the original Mistico, who would debut as the original Sin Cara. He flopped in the WWE and went back to wrestle in Mexico. WWE has also failed to do anything major with Mascara Dorada (Gran Metalik), who was one of the best wrestlers in Mexico. The WWE needs to sign a young luchador and just let him be himself. They always make the mistake of trying to make the athletic luchadores wrestle the slow WWE style.
Trevor Lee & Andrew Everett
Lee and Everett were both trained by the Hardy Boyz in North Carolina. They are local boys and have made a name for themselves as both a tag team and in a feud against themselves. I could have separated them on the list, but I think of them as a pair. They could be the next Hardy Boyz and I’m sure they would freaking be awesome at doing that. They are well-rounded and are both still in their mid-twenties. Lee might be the most talented in the duo as he has been wrestling at Pro Wrestling Guerrilla since 2014. These two guys would be great additions in NXT and could even be members of Mat Hardy’s new Woken Universe.
Jeff Cobb
Jeff Cobb started in pro wrestling in 2009 and got his big break when he was cast as Matanza in Lucha Underground. He then wrestled all over the world and is one of the best wrestlers on the indie scene. He is also a member of one of the most talented tag teams, the Chosen Bros (with Matt Riddle). Due to the restrictive Lucha Underground contract, he wasn’t eligible to sign with WWE until very recent. Cobb has been near the top of the WWE’s Want List for a few years. It’s only a matter of time before Cobb signs with them.
Dragon Lee
Dragon Lee had one of the best feuds in recent memory with Kamaitachi (Hiromu Takahashi). He’s only 22 years old and could be one of the best wrestlers on 205 Live if signed today. I hope he doesn’t end up there if or when he does sign, but the guy is good enough to be their next Mexican star. He’s another guy like Will Ospreay, who only knows one gear and it’s to go at break-neck speed the entire match. I think Lee would be best served to wrestle more in New Japan, like Mascara Dorada did in the past, and maybe head to the WWE in a few years. He’s a young guy and he has all the time in the world to make that move.
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.