10 Big Signings WWE Must Make In 2017

WWE's talent pool has rarely been larger than it is in 2016. The company have over 100 wrestlers on their books between Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and 205 Live, and that's without taking referees, announcers, and other on-air personalities into account. 7+ hours of original weekly programming requires a giant cast, and that's exactly what WWE have.

You'd think that having such a bursting roster would negate the need for new faces, but no. Former Divas Champion Mickie James is set to return in the new year, and a number of other top female wrestlers have signed deals ahead of next year's proposed women's tournament. WWE are still very much in "signing mode" at the moment, and their thirst for acquiring exciting new talent is seemingly unquenchable.

Recent reports suggest there'll be another set of tryouts in February, which likely means another wave of signings in the Spring. WWE are hunting high and low for the next big thing, but despite all the top level wrestlers they've scooped-up in recent years, the well's far from dry.

The American, European, Japanese, and Mexican markets are still brimming with talent, and while a number of the world's top prospects are under cast iron contracts, a slew of others should be available. Nobody can compete with WWE's financial might, and while some of these potential targets would prove costly, their signings would only benefit WWE.

Here are 10 big signings WWE must make in 2017.

She rarely ventures outside of her native Japan, but Io Shirai is one of the best female workers in the world. She’s had an excellent year as Stardom’s centerpiece performer, and may just be one of the most athletic women that the sport has ever seen. Combining sublime technique with stiff strikes, power moves, and high-flying gymnastics, Shirai is her home promotion’s ace, and she’s on-course for a legendary career.

What’s most astonishing, however, is that she’s just 26 years old. As good as she is right now, Io Shirai is, theoretically speaking, several years away from peaking as a performer, and that’s downright scary.

WWE aren’t blind to her talents, either. Shirai and fellow Stardom standout Kairi Hojo were made firm contract offers a couple of months ago, but there’s no indication as to whether or not they’ll sign at the moment. If they do, both would make outstanding additions to NXT’s women’s division, and eventually, the Raw or SmackDown title scenes.

Shirai doesn’t come with current NXT Women’s Champion Asuka’s dangerous aura, but she’s no less of a performer. WWE are in dire need of women who can legitimately hang with the Empress of Tomorrow, and having already wrestled Asuka in the past, Shirai definitely falls into that category.