10 Huge Signings WWE Must Make In 2018

Fishing in an impossible vast talent pool.

Batista WWE
WWE.com

As vast as WWE's roster has become, the company's search for fresh new signings is never-ending. They've acquired dozens of wrestlers in 2017, and Raw, SmackDown, and NXT are awash with genuinely world-class performers, but the promotion are constantly searching for the next big thing, and their talent pool is guaranteed to experience further growth in 2018.

Vince McMahon is spoiled for choice. He has the power (and the wallet) to play pick and mix with most of the best wrestlers in the world, though there some notable exceptions.

WWE can't legally snatch those bound to long-term contracts elsewhere, ruling out the likes of Jay Lethal (ROH), Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, and The Young Bucks (all NJPW). Kenny Omega won't be on his way to Stamford in 2018, either. The giant work that was January's 'will he/won't he' saga duped everybody into thinking he'd join WWE, but no: 'The Cleaner' has already been confirmed for ROH dates through WrestleMania weekend, and will be tied to New Japan's ongoing US expansion for the foreseeable future.

Notwithstanding these exclusions, there are still dozens of stars who'd be major boons to WWE's roster in 2018, with these names shining brightest...

10. Ricochet

Batista WWE
WCPW

Ricochet is almost certainly on his way to WWE in early 2018. Finally free of his restrictive Lucha Underground contract, the era-defining high-flier has concluded his dates with New Japan, and recently worked a farewell bout for Dragon Gate. On top of this, the man himself has dropped countless hints that he'd love to work for Vince McMahon's promotion, and he's yet to announce any independent dates for 2018, though he'll need to shed his PWG World Championship before making the jump.

WWE won't just be acquiring one of the indies' hottest stars, but a transcendent performer with genuine game-changing potential, provided he's handled correctly. Far from the hyper-athletic 'spot monkey' his most curmudgeonous detractors paint him as, Ricochet has become a three-dimensional worker. His selling, psychology, and technicality have improved tenfold, and while his 2016 Best Of Super Juniors bout with Will Ospreay was but an adrenaline-fuelled stunt show, their layered 2017 rematch shows that both are among the best in the world.

How he'd be booked is a concern. 205 Live would be a death sentence, and he'd be hamstrung by the main roster's strict restrictions. It's hard to imagine Ricochet not becoming a major highlight in NXT, though.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.