(WARNING: The end of this article may contain and potential – though speculative – SPOILER for those watching Lucha Undergound)
While it’s true that WWE‘s Mega-Event Wrestlemania is the Grandest Stage of Them All, fans of the indie circuit equally chomp at the bit for some of the greatest spectacles of them – tournament season. With so many indie promotions – much like the territories of old – utilizing many of the same top stars, each has managed to create their own unique tournaments featuring a great mix of recognizable international indie wrestlers with a healthy dose of their own roster. From Chikara‘s King of Trios, to PWG‘s Battle of Los Angeles, to New Japan‘s G-1 Climax Summit, these are the events that all indie fans get excited about. The WWE continues treading the indie wrestling route with the announcement after weeks of speculation that they will be starting their own series, entitled Global Cruiserweight Series, featuring 32 of the top indie wrestlers – both international indie and WWE contracted wrestlers – in a 10-week tournament beginning July 13, 2016 on the WWE Network.
With Triple H‘s recent comments in an interview with Scott Fishman at Channel Guide Magazine, the WWE’s COO discusses that’s he’s going after some well known indie darlings as well as bringing in some complete unknowns. “We’re going to allow these guys to come in,” he told Fishman. “I’m not just trying to find the cruiserweights that are the obvious ones. I think those guys will be there, the top guys in the world.”
So let’s think about this. Obviously there’s going to be some NXT rookies in there. Guys with little or no TV exposure yet. It’s very well that this entire thing is to put over Manny Andrade, the indie sensation formerly known as CMLL’s supertar luchadore La Sombra. He’s just starting out at the Performance Center. There’s also a good chance we may see recent NXT recruits Richie Swann and Patrick Clark show up as well. Add in there’s probably going to be an emphasis on EVOLVE talent due to WWE’s new alliance with Gabe Saplonsky’s WWN, that leaves us about 15 spots up for some of the indie’s best. Ruling out guys with existing contracts, like Ring of Honor’s Jay Lethal, Young Bucks and Briscoe Brothers, and adhering to the advertised weight class of 205 lbs, let’s look at 15 wrestlers who are strong candidates (or wishful thinkings) to be in the first Global Cruiserweight Series.
# 15 “The Villain” Marty Scuril (5’9″, 180 lbs., England)
Two of the three indie feds Triple H has named by name in his interviews for groups he’ll be working with are two UK promotions, Progress and Revolution Pro, and one of the biggest stars in both is the charismatic and entertaining “Villain” Marty Scuril. His indie cred features tours with PWG, wXw, and ICW. The fact that he’s the current Progress Heavyweight Champion is a good sign that Triple H is very aware who Scuril is. And with the impending departure of Wade Barrett, the WWE will be looking for another British Superstar.
#14 Yujiro Kushida (5’9″, 192 lbs., Japan)
WWE are desparate to enhance their Asian representation, with the recent additions of international favourites KENTA (Hideo Itami), KANA (Asuka) and Shinsuke Nakamura. But Itami, the Japanese Daniel Bryan, may be headed for the same fate. Injuries have slowed him down in his WWE development and WWE may be looking elsewhere for a new Japanese fan favourite. Look no further than NJPW’s Yujiro Kushida. Known more in North America as the tag partner of Alex Shelley in Timesplitters, Kushida is no slouch on his own. He’s a 3-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. As magical as it would be, or how much WWE may want him, he is currently still under contract with New Japan. But speaking of Alex Shelley…
#13 Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley, 5’10”, 215 lbs.; Chris Sabin, 5’10”, 205 lbs., USA)
Ok, I’m sneaking two guys into one slot. Because their careers are so connected and chances are, WWE would utilize that as well. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin could easily take up indidivual slots each in this tournament. They wouldn’t have to win, just get a couple decent matches. Then they show up a few months later reunited as The Motor City Machine Guns in NXT. They’d bring a great shot in the arm to the tag division, who will most likely have lost Enzo & Big Cass, American Alpha (Jordan & Gable) and The Hype Bros. by then.
#12 ACH (5’9″, 190 lbs., USA)
To be honest, I’m not sure the status of ACH’s contract with Ring of Honor, but it’s definitely not as iron clad as Lethal or the Briscoes. While he’s not the splashiest charismatic entity in ROH, ACH will quietly astound you with his graceful athleticism, while winning you over with his infectious charm. He could really capture the world if he was seen by the WWE Universe. While he’s loved by the indie circuit, I think there’s a certain edge lacking from him that will be his glass ceiling to the indie realm. He’d be a bigger star with the bigger company.
#11 Low Ki (5’8″, 174 lbs., USA)
Or Kaval, which may be just the route WWE would take. While Kaval didn’t leave on the best of terms, he left on his own terms honestly and that’s something that Vince and Triple H hold in high respect. Not much a chance of him winning it, but as Kaval, Low Ki has some historical connection which would allow them to hype NXT during the event. Having a few veteran cruiserweights in the tournament wouldn’t be a bad idea as many could simply have one match with a younger star and help put them over, with their status and their ring mentorship.
#10 T.J. Perkins (5’10”, 200 lbs., USA)
One of the most talented X-Division stars in TNA‘s history, he was one of the few who kept it afloat the past few years, debuting as Suicide before morphing to Manik. Prior to his run with TNA, he cut his teeth in ROH, PWG and Japan. He’s going to be hungry with something to prove because as luck would have it, he just parted ways with TNA. Showcasing what TNA gave up would be strongly in his mind and could lead to career defining matches with some of the world’s best.
#9 Jack Evans (5’8″, 165 lbs., USA)
Evans has shown great diversity of character with his gimmicks throughout the indies. Currently a cocky cruiserweight in Lucha Undergound, while toiling the rest of the indie circuit with his “Drunken Master” bit, Evans is as entertaining as he is lethal. After all, although American, Evans is one of the last graduates of the Hart Dungeon, part of the same field that Tyson Kidd came from. WWE loves to explot certain families and storylines and the Hart family is one of them. If Kidd is done due to injury, he could always show up as Evans’ side to cheer on his classmate. Question is, how long did Evans just re-sign with Lucha Underground before the second season? He was on a season by season deal but they’ve recently been trying to sign more guys up to the lengthy deals they’ve locked up some of the top stars.
#8 Chuck Taylor (6’1″, 184 lbs., USA)
Perhaps the indie circuits most lovable heel, Taylor is a 14-year veteran who has been a stand out in Chikara and PWG, but it’s his connection to EVOLVE and Dragon Gate USA that will most likely be his inside key. Whether it’s arguable he’d ever make a Main Roster appearance without being reduced to Heath Slater status, there’s no doubt he’d be a helluva star in NXT.
#7 Cedric Alexander (5’11”, 209 lbs., USA)
Alexander as athletic as fellow ROH star ACH, but he definitely outshines him with charisma. A mainstay with the company since 2010, Cedric Alexander hasn’t tested many waters outside of ROH since his debut. It was recently reported that he was at the last set of WWE try outs, so he’s definitely on their radar right now (and mostly likely what these try outs are scouting).
#6 Adam Cole (5’10”, 210 lbs., USA)
Adam Cole has been one of ROH’s biggest stars of the past five years. He’s a better looking Brian Kendrick with great charm and ability, who could even shine on the Main Roster with a slight bit more polish. Something a stint in NXT could do nicely. He’s been talking up his desire to go to WWE “at some point” and this could be the stepping stone he’s looking for.
#5 Ophidian (5’8″, 165 lbs., The Nile River Bed)
Let’s make this very clear. I’m suggesting Chikara’s Snake Man phenom to be in one match. With his dedication to Chikara, I think a one shot would be extremely doable. While I think he’d do well in NXT, there would be no future for a gimmick like Ophidian in the WWE Universe these days sadly. But one match featuring Ophidian would be a great way to energize the crowd for an event with some indie purests in attendance.
#4 Brett Giehl (6’0″, 211 lbs., USA)
Most of you probably just made that face people make when the see something gross for the first time. Who is Brett Giehl you’re probably asking. Well, he’s two guys actually. Which is why I put his real name. He’s known by some as Chikara’s sportsman rich niceguy “Smooth Sailin’” Ashley Remington and as the flamboyant dandy Dalton Castle in Ring of Honor. Where he’s killing it with both characters. But don’t let his zest for the flair distract you. He’s a hell of a worker in the ring. With him being in two promotions televised programming, it’s likely he’s on a per appearance deal with both, so he’d be easy to sign up, even if it’s just for a short term deal to start. And while Tyler Breeze is floundering in the WWE Universe, don’t take Giehl lightly. He’s one of the few that becomes a more entertaining character the more people are feeding his energy. He would electrify a crowd of 25,000.
#3 Zack Sabre Jr. (6’0″, 185 lbs., England)
Probably one of the odds on favourites to be in the final match is British indie sensation Zack Sabre Jr. He’s a bit lanky at the moment, but he’s young. He’s just signed an exclusive deal to stick with EVOLVE for the next year which means he’s in NXT’s developmental system. This would be a great tournament to give the WWE Universe a preview of the man who will probably lead NXT in 2017.
#2 Rey Mysterio Jr. (5’6″, 175 lbs., USA)
Remember that face you made when I said Brett Giehl’s face? Well know I bet it’s that one you make when you roll your eyes. Why waste a spot on Rey Mysterio Jr.? Hear me out. Rey is done with AAA. And he’s only signed for one season of Lucha Underground. Much like Alberto Del Rio before him, he’s discovering that perhaps it’s better financially to work out a part time contract with WWE and take it a bit easier. If you want to showcase the best cruiserweights in the world, why not bring in arguably the greatest cruiserweight of all time? Rey is in the best shape of his life, so why not let him run with the lions again? They could use the advance promotion of it being his official return to the WWE Universe to lure in some new casual fans, and then springboard back into a part time role on the Main Roster. I’d love to see a feud where maybe the Lucha Dragons split and Rey mentors Kalisto against a heel Sin Cara (or better yet, a brash La Sombra) with Alberto. Bring some Lucha heritage into it. But I digress…anyway. I’m not saying Rey should win, but if he was to lose to La Sombra in the Semi-Finals, it could go a long way in passing the torch to the next Latino Superstar for the WWE.
#1 Ricochet (5’10”, 197 lbs., USA)
I’m sure most of you are saying “Never! He’s in a 7-year contract with Lucha Undergound!”. You’d be correct. But a few small stories over the past few weeks have pointed to a possibility that perhaps Ricochet is leaving the Prince Puma character behind. Reports circulated a few weeks back that Lucha Underground and WWE held some small meetings, but that nothing of substance was discussed. They did allude that there was talk of a talent exchange but nothing went far. But what if that’s a work? What if they DID discuss something. What if WWE bought out Ricochet’s contract with Lucha Undergound. It would cost BIG money to buy out a 7-year deal, but WWE has that kind of Big Money. And Lucha Underground could use that money. It was a lack of money that was the official reason for why the Second Season was announced yet around the same time as The Meetings were announced, Lucha Underground announced Season Three already. A large cash acquisition could guarantee another year. And here’s the possible spoiler warned about at the beginning. Lucha Underground’s season finale, Ultima Lucha Dos, has already been taped. The Second Season has stopped filming. The live spoilers are on-line. The reports indicate that Prince Puma seemed to be having a goodbye moment with the fans, after the cameras stopped after the final night. If that’s true, it could very mean that Ricochet is on his way to become another face of NXT in 2017.
(DISCLAIMER: Okay, so there’s a couple over the rumoured 205 lbs. cut-off. But they all fall under the former Cruiserweight cut-off of 215 lbs. And besides. It’s the WWE. You could just announce them at 205.)
