10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About TNA

3. EC3 Should've Been WWE's Star

Kurt Angle TNA Champion Hard Justice 2007
ImpactWrestling.com

TNA's long history of trying to polish the turds released from WWE's lower reaches usually ends in predictable failure, but Ethan Carter III is the notable exception.

The magnetic star has become one of Impact's greatest modern success stories. Released from NXT in 2013, the former Derrick Bateman was pushed to the moon soon after joining TNA, and thrived as company president Dixie Carter's arrogant young nephew. Rebranded EC3, he exhibited charisma and star power far beyond his WWE performances, and established himself as one of the company's biggest stars, eventually becoming a two-time World Champion.

Carter performs like a genuine megastar. He'd slot right into WWE's current main event scene, but Vince McMahon let him slip through his fingers. He indirectly gifted his competitors a future cornerstone of their company, when really, EC3 should've been his star, not Dixie Carter's.

There's a chance Ethan could eventually make his way back to WWE, and perhaps even fulfil his potential in the sport's biggest spotlight, but McMahon would've saved himself a lot of time and hassle had he taken a chance on Derrick Bateman in the first place.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.