WWE Changed Their Mind On Signing New IMPACT Star 'Speedball' Mike Bailey

WWE's change of heart turned out to be IMPACT Wrestling's gain when it came to Mike Bailey.

by Andy H Murray
Speedball Mike Bailey
PWG

IMPACT Wrestling effectively confirmed the signing of sought-after independent star 'Speedball' Mike Bailey this past weekend, as the Canadian freelancer ceremonially signed a contract on former World Champion Josh Alexander's back at a Destiny World Wrestling show.

This came after everything had gone silent on the Bailey front despite heavy speculation that he was heading to WWE in May. 'Speedball' has now shed light on what happened between the two parties, doing so in a new interview with Sports Illustrated's Justin Barrasso.

Going by Bailey's account, it sounds like terms were pretty much agreed upon until WWE changed their mind:-

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“We went through a process and we had some pretty in-depth discussions. I didn’t sign a contract. It pretty much went up to that point of me accepting an offer and going through the proceedings that would lead up to me signing for several months, and them deciding they were going in a different direction.”

The last time Bailey has wrestled in the United States was back in March 2016. This is owing to the hefty five-year travel ban he was slapped with upon trying to enter the US from his native Canada, forcing him to operate primarily in Europe, Canada, and Japan. Fortunately, that ban has now expired.

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.