8 Big Questions Raised By Neville Walking Out On WWE
6. Does This Legitimise WWE's Competitors?
The case of a wrestler choosing WWE over other companies has been an argument of cash vs. creativity since WCW closed.
Nobody can match Vince McMahon's financial clout or global spotlight, but signing with his company comes at the cost of artistry. WWE's stylistic restrictions are legion, and while the likes of Kevin Owens have found ways to shine through sports entertainment's lens, others feel like shallow copies of the wrestlers they used to be. It's not necessarily "selling out," but signing (and staying) with WWE is often a straightforward financial choice.
The likes of Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and The Young Bucks have shown that this need no longer be the case. They've each become major stars away from the sport's biggest company, and with Cody recently revealing that he now earns more in NJPW and ROH than he did while working for WWE, wrestling's other promotions are becoming increasingly enticing.
Perhaps Neville's walk-out was inspired by New Japan's continued excellence, the burgeoning UK independent scene, and the trail blazed by Rhodes after leaving WWE last year. If it was, and the former 'King Of The Cruiserweight' decided to bet on himself, it shows that while WWE's competitors may never threaten them in a business sense, they have been legitimised as alternative places to work.