10 Wrestlers WWE Should’ve Signed When They Had The Chance

3. A.J. Styles

Daniel Bryan€™s success in WWE demonstrates that, despite all the talk about WWE not being interested in the smaller wrestlers, they can actually play a big role and achieve a lot in the company. One name that WWE should€™ve considered when looking for new talent was A.J. Styles, whose contract with TNA expired in December 2014. Styles had also signed a contract with NJPW in March 2014, which became his permanent home after leaving TNA. But his interest in signing with NJPW should€™ve been a message to WWE that he was thinking of leaving TNA, and WWE should€™ve pounced on the opportunity to hire him. Styles might not have been the perfect Superstar that WWE€™s looking for, but he would€™ve definitely fit in the constantly-growing cadre of ex-independent wrestlers working for WWE. His high-flying style would€™ve made him a perfect fit in either NXT or on the main roster, where he could€™ve had fantastic matches with the likes of Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, and, well, just about anyone. He was considered WON€™s Most Outstanding Wrestler of 2014, which is a testament to his ability to put on a good match with virtually anyone. He could€™ve been a perfect fit on WWE€™s flagship shows, as they are in dire need of €˜different€™ stars that aren€™t part of WWE€™s cookie-cutter mold of star. On the other hand, maybe it€™s better if he didn€™t sign with WWE; they probably wouldn€™t let him perform any of his most famous maneuvers out of safety and adapting to WWE€™s style, and if he€™d sign, we€™d probably see a much more watered-down version of the phenomenal wrestler. Still, it€™s always a hope that some of the biggest stars of the independent scene would make it to the grandest stage of them all and show of their talents to a much larger audience.