WWE "Aggressively" Chasing Indie Talent After MLW TV Deal

Several contracted stars have been approached.

Rey Fenix
LuchaUnderground.com

American independent promotion Major League Wrestling recently secured a TV contract with beIN Sports, and their 60-minute Fusion show now airs on the network every Friday night.

It's a major step forward a company that originally stopped holding shows in 2004, before former WWE writer Court Bauer revived the project last year, with notable indie stars like Rey Fenix, Pentagon, and Jimmy Havoc all playing major roles.

Now, it looks like the world's biggest promotion have taken notice. As per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE are currently aggressively chasing independent talent in reaction to the TV deal, with MLW wrestlers directly in their crosshairs.

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What's most notable here is that many MLW talents are actually contracted to the promotion, so WWE can't legally sign them until those deals expire, but this hasn't stopped them from extending tryout invites.

WWE have previously held off from approaching contracted wrestlers in the past, owing to allegations of tampering made while attempting to sign Kyle O'Reilly, Adam Cole, and Bobby Fish from Ring Of Honor last year. The company eventually brought said performers in once the situation had died down, but seemingly aren't curbing their aggression with MLW.

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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.