Being in the WWE is not the ‘be all and end all’ any more, with the likes of AEW set to shine, Impact Wrestling being better than ever, ROH and NWA producing some great wrestling, New Japan dominating the Dave Meltzer ratings, and the independent scene flourishing. Is WWE still the pinnacle of wrestling? The answer is Yes, and it probably always will be, but with all this stiff competition coming its way, we have never had so much choice and so many high calibre matches. So I have put together this list to celebrate some of the great talent not currently in WWE.
Also See instanttrick
10. Kenny Omega
Starting with The One Winged Angel ‘Kenny Omega’. Kenny has turned himself into one of the biggest names in wrestling without the help of WWE. His stellar work in NJPW cemented his name in wrestling history. One of the major signings for AEW and their current Executive Vice President, Omega would have drowned in WWE, overshadowed by ‘The Big Men’ that Vince gets sweaty over. Nevertheless Kenny would have been a major player, if anything we would have seen some amazing matches and feuds, but AEW was the right choice for him.
9. Taya Valkyrie
The current Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion, Taya is having a great run as champ. Part of the ‘It’ couple of Impact with husband Johnny Impact (formally John Morrison and Johnny Nitro in WWE). Taya works well in the ring, dominating the Knockouts division with her powerhouse moves set. She has a great look, and works well on the mic, I can see Taya as a future WWE Womens Champion and having a great career. Whether she would go to WWE is another matter, as I’m pretty sure she is a package deal with her husband now.
8. Tetsuya Naito
Tetsuya Naito is a highly decorated wrestler and a major player in NJPW. He has held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship 3 times, as well as being IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Tag Team Champion. Naitio has won the G1 Climax tournament twice and in 2016 won the New Japan Cup. This man is great to watch, recently having an awesome feud with Chris Jericho where he won his 3rd IWGP Intercontinental Championship. I’m sure WWE has had their beady eyes on him for a long time, but seeing their treatment of Japanese superstars like Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka, Naito is probably best staying put in Japan.
7. Kazuchika Okada
Probably the biggest star in NJPW of the past decade, Okada is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion and has held the belt 5 times. His longest reign being for a phenomenal 720 days (Beat that Brock). Okada was part of TNA for a while, but has never been part of the WWE. Having some incredible matches against Kenny Omega, Okada is probably one of the best wrestlers in the world and one of the all-time greats in Japan. I would like to see him have a run in WWE, I think he could even have a successful reign as WWE Champion. Imagine the match-up potential , Rollins, Styles, Reigns, McIntyre. But as with Naito he is probably best staying in Japan, unless he wants a name change and a silly gimmick.
6. Jordynne Grace
At only 23 years old Jordynne Grace is such an amazing wrestler. She is already part of the Championship picture in Impact, and only recently lost her undefeated streak at Rebellion to Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie. She is a powerhouse in the ring, who regularly competes in inter-gender matches on the indies. With thighs that can crush a skull, and a great finishing move ‘The Grace Driver’, I see big things in her future. With her size, strength and ability, she could dominate the WWE Women’s division, and become a great champion.
5. Dalton Castle
Dalton Castle is a former ROH World Champion and World 6-Man Tag Champion. It has been rumoured in the past about WWE’s interest in Castle, but nothing has come of it yet. Dalton has had some great matches in his ROH career, with the likes of Adam Cole (BayBay), Jay Lethal, Silas Young, Bobby Fish and many more. He was successful defending his World title 7 times, and even defended in a triple threat match against Cody Rhodes and Marty Scurll, eventually losing out to Jay Lethal in 2018. Dalton has the talent, the skill, the charisma and the look. Given the right push and opportunities he could be very successful in WWE.
4. Marty Scurll
The Villain Marty Scurll is on fire right now. The only member of The Elite who has not signed to AEW, he is currently signed to ROH and NJPW. He is a former ROH Television Champion and IWGP Junior-Heavyweight Champion, and is the current ROH 6-Man Tag Team Champion along with fellow Villain Enterprises members PCO and Brody King. At the 2019 Crockett Cup, Scurll fought long time friend Nick Aldis for the NWA Heavyweight Championship in an epic bout, eventually losing out. His move to AEW is inevitable, this former Bullet Club member would only get lumped into the 205 Live scene if he joined WWE, because of his size. Marty exudes charisma and English charm, and is a delight to watch in the ring. Now go back and watch him on ITVs dating show ‘Take Me Out’.
3. Zack Sabre Jr
Zack Sabre Jr is absolutely phenomenal. Voted by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter as the best technical wrestler in the world for 5 consecutive years. Currently signed to NJPW, he was the winner of the 2018 New Japan Cup. Sabre was part of the WWE’s Cruiserweight classic, where he made it to the semi-finals, but lost out to Gran Metalik, this loss was reportedly due to him not signing a contract with WWE, whereas Gran Metalik and eventual winner TJP did. It is probably not in Zack’s best interests to join WWE, where I’m sure he would be welcomed with open arms, as he would not be pushed on the main roster as he deserves, more likely a member of the 205 Live roster where he would waste away. I think NJPW are aware of what a great talent he is, and will continue utilising him well, and AEW would also be a great fit for him.
2. Tessa Blanchard
Another amazing young talent, at only 23 years old Tessa is a former Impact Knockouts Champion and is the current WOW Champion. Tessa is the daughter of wrestling legend and Four Horseman member Tully Blanchard, so wrestling is in her blood. Tessa has appeared in the WWE, losing 3 matches on NXT to Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax and Carmella, and was also a part of the Mae Young Classic Tournament, being eliminated in the first round by the eventual winner Kairi Sane. WWE obviously not seeing her potential missed out, but that’s not to say we won’t see Tessa back in the WWE at some point in her career. She has the look, the ability and the pedigree, she is also good on the mic and has lots of charisma. Her recent match against Impact Hall of Famer Gail Kim at Rebellion was one of the highlights of the night, coming up trumps over the veteran. Be sure we will be seeing a lot more of Tessa in the mainstream in the future, and a definite 2nd Knockouts Championship reign.
Very Honourable Mentions:
…And Number 1
Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay is one of the finest wrestlers in the world, at only 26 years old he still has his best years ahead of him. Former NEVER Openweight Champion, Progress Champion, ROH Television Champion, and 2 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Ospreay was the first British wrestler to win both the IWGP JR Heavyweight Championship and win the Best of The Super Juniors tournament. The things that this man can do in the ring are astounding. The Aerial Assassin has taken the wrestling world by storm with his speed and agility, he is a highlight of NJPW shows and events. Will runs his own wrestling promotion called Frontline Wrestling, based in the UK. He is also in a relationship with ‘Indie Darling’ Bea Priestley, what talented children they could produce. I can’t see Will ever being a part of the WWE, he just would not be utilised to his full potential, and the fact that he has his own promotion would not sit well with them either. Ospreay deserves to be on top of the WWE mountain, but with their current management and booking, I don’t see this happening. A move to AEW could be good for him, to be seen on a bigger scale by the western audience. Whatever his future holds, it will be huge and full of gold. Do yourself a favour and go back and watch some of his NJPW matches and highlight reels, you wont be disappointed.
There we have it, do you agree with me? Let me know in the comments, and tell me any other stars you think deserve to be on this list.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, the link to which can be found at http://www.facebook.com/RealNERDFACE, follow us on Instagram and Twitter. I am Stupid Ross for NERDFACE, check in regularly to see new content.
NERDFACE 