NXT Talent Shocked WWE Recently Turned Down This AEW Star
WWE's loss is very much AEW's game.
Having impressed on AEW programming across the past several weeks, Wheeler Yuta is reported to have had an unsuccessful WWE tryout this past May.
As per Fightful Select, WWE decided to pass on Yuta; something which came as a major surprise to some within the company.
Yuta ticks plentiful boxes for what NXT staff have looked for in recent signings, with him 6ft, 24 years of age, extremely talented in the ring, and already having TV experience under his belt thanks to his appearances for, amongst others, Ring of Honor and NJPW Strong.
This Fightful report claims three members of the roster were left in "shock" that WWE decided to pass on the Philadelphia native, with this also seen as an indicator that major changes were coming for the NXT brand.
Regardless of WWE deciding not to sign Yuta, he made his AEW bow in June, losing to Karl Anderson on an episode of AEW Dark. Shortly after that, Wheeler became aligned with the Best Friends and has gone on to make a further eight appearances on AEW programming - including competing in six-man action on last night's AEW Dynamite.
While Wheeler Yuta has yet to officially become #AllElite, it certainly looks like WWE's loss is going to very much be AEW's game.