Ex-Lucha Underground Star Shane Strickland To Join WWE?

The former 'Killshot' officially declared free agency earlier this week.

by Andy H Murray
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MLW

WWE look set to score another significant victory in the ongoing pro-wrestling free agent talent war, with former Lucha Underground and MLW star Shane Strickland reportedly on the verge of signing.

This is according to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who writes that the only hurdles in him joining the world's biggest promotion were his existing contracts with LU and MLW. Following this tweet, it's safe to say Strickland has acquired the necessary releases:-

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A smooth, charismatic high-flyer, Strickland got his start with Combat Zone Wrestling in 2012, but has only really started to break out over the past few years. The departures of Keith Lee, Matt Riddle, and countless others from the independent scene opened up spaces for guys like him to thrive, and he was a major player for the WWE-affiliated EVOLVE throughout 2018, defeating Riddle to take the promotion's top belt in August.

A three-month reign eventually ended by NXT's Fabian Aichner's hand, and Strickland isn't currently booked for the company's next set of shows on January 18 and 19. Given that he was linked with WWE several times throughout last year, anything other than him signing should be considered a surprise.

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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.