Reports today for several sources seems to indicate that WWE is wasting no time in following up their last NXT class of Ricochet, EC3, War Machine and Candice LeRae and have deals on the table for several new talents to begin in May. It should be noted that deals have been offered, but no confirmation of any of them actually signing yet. Casey Michael of Squared Circle Sirens and Developmental Central announced this morning a list of May candidates offered deals that feature some rather huge names (literally and figuratively). Casey has become arguably the most trusted source for Performance Center recruitment news on the internet.
So that May class is looking like
WALTER
Keith Lee
Luke Menzies
Joe Coffey
Daniel Vidot (?)— 𝓬𝓪𝓼𝓮𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓮𝓵 (@ifyouseekcasey) March 1, 2018
The report was somewhat restated by Dave Meltzer in today’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, stating that both Keith Lee and WALTER were indeed offered WWE deals, although Meltzer is off the opinion that WALTER will most likely turn his down. Here’s a closer look at the five names in question.
WALTER
WALTER is one of the top big men in indie wrestling today, working out of his home promotion wXw in Germany, where he now leads RINGKAMPF with Timothy Thatcher (and reigning Tag Team Champions). In the past few years, he’s expanded his presence in Europe by performing with PROGRESS in the UK (where he’s the current Atlas Champion), as well as PWG and EVOLVE in the United States. His former RINGKAMPF members Axel Dieter Jr. (Marcel Barthel) and Axel Tischer (SaNitY’s Alexander Wolfe) are both currently working in NXT. On WALTER’s chances, Meltzer stated the following in today’s Newsletter: “I know that in the past he’s told us he’s not interested because he’s got employee status with the wXw promotion in Europe and runs their school and in the past told us he likes his life and wasn’t interested in moving. He wasn’t even interested in long periods out of Europe as he noted New Japan isn’t something he was interested in either. But there is an opportunity if you become a WWE star to make far more money and garner far more fame in this business than anywhere else.”
KEITH LEE
Keith Lee is easily one of the top unsigned indie talents in the world today, whose athleticism and size are unparalleled. Since leaving Ring of Honor last year, Lee has become one of the hottest properties on the indie circuit, working for such promotions as PWG, PROGRESS, EVOLVE, RevPro, WrestleCircus, ICW, and many more. He’s currently the WWN Champion. On Keith Lee, Meltzer noted that “the belief within the indie world is Lee is taking it since he’s turned down dates after that point in time but this is one of those things that neither side are even allowed to confirm.”
LUKE MENZIES
A former pro rugby player who trained with Marty Jones, Menzies has emerged as a top prospect in the UK scene, where he’s performed for Defiant Wrestling, New Generation Wrestling and others. Highly regarded by NXT’s William Regal, Menzies has had several WWE tryouts in the past and apparently they’ve finally decided to sign the hard hitting Englishman.
JOE COFFEY
One of the top Scottish wrestlers of the past decade, Coffey recently finished up with ICW late last year. The former 2x ICW World Heavyweight Champion was also a regular with Defiant Wrestling (formerly WCPW) and worked for Ireland’s OTT, as well as other UK promotions like PROGRESS, PCW, and Discovery.
DANIEL VIDOT
Another former pro rugby player, Vidot is a Samoan from Melbourne, Australia, who competed in Australia’s National Rugby League from 2009 until last year, as well as suiting up for Samoa in the Rugby World Cup. In October, he had a WWE tryout, and it appears that officials liked what they saw from the 28-year old.
