Dixie Carter Addresses Interest in Former WWE Stars

[It's Damn Real!]

TNA president Dixie Carter says the company is actively looking to sign former WWE stars who have left the company in recent weeks.

“Yes, there are some great talent on the market right now, and there hasn’t been for a while,” Carter told Indian publication Sportskeeda.com while on an international tour with TV partner Ten Sports.

“So, I think that there are some big opportunities for us to see if a couple of names that are available fit with what we’re trying to do right now. You know, great in-ring product, great personality, and ability to show, to have big characters and we’re very excited about that.”

Carter did not say whether there is mutual interest from potential signees. Carter noted the company is trying to incorporate new faces on the roster to freshen up the product.

http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/05/31/tna-president-addresses-interest-former-wwe-stars/

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Sure sounds like they'll be in the market for at least one of Rhodes, Sandow and/or Barrett once their 90-day non-compete clauses are up, which would effectively build right into Bound For Glory.

 

[Navi]

Yes it sounds like they are on the hunt to pick up some new players, only issue is do those players want to be picked up.

Barrett said he wants to take some time off and re-evaluate, Rhodes already has a match booked for late August against Kurt Angle in New York, the only one who has actively teased a jump to TNA is Ryback.

I have no idea how long McMahon can hold onto them though if they do want to go. Word is they are holding Rhodes strictly to his contract as they are not very happy with him. Hornswoggle and Colter have contracts in place already on the independent scene.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Well, Rhodes did, too. His list included two TNA-exclusive names. Bennett and Lee. Now, sure, they could do a non-televised match on the indies, but it seems more like Rhodes wants to do a type of independent contractor bucket list tour.

But do Sandow and Barrett want to join TNA or join anywhere exclusive (something TNA tends to stick to)? Good question.

 

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Ryborg is rumored to show up in Glacier's obscenely expensive WCW costume and compete. His catch phrase is "I am the Ryborg! Resistance is futile!"

 

[Prince Vee]

WWE have a 90 day policy which won't allow Ryback to jump to TNA without being released. Even if he terminates his contract with WWE on his own terms he wouldn't be able to book himself for the next 90 days. The same case goes for Cody Rhodes and that's why his match with Kurt Angle is booked on August. In case of Sandow and Barrett, it sounds more likely. But with Barrett said he needs to take some time off Wrestling, I don't see him signing to TNA.

 

[Bischoff's Knob Slobberer]

Why shouldn't TNA be interested in the WWE castoffs? Didn't WWE do the same thing when Roode, Aries, EY, and Samoa Joe were TNA castoffs. Good for Dixie, and Barrett is a MUST-SIGN after being grossly mismanaged in WWE. TNA Creative could make him a major superstar like they did with other mismanaged WWE talent in EC3 and Galloway.

WWE Creative is a joke. They bring in a legit tag time in Gallows and Anderson, only to job and bury them to a second rate tag team the Uso's. All I could do was smh after that.

 

[dsotm5150]

Given the amount of talent WWE just let go and how lean TNA's current roster is, they would be stupid not to atleast discuss bringing in a few of these guys, while continuing to sign up up and comers. I know these smaller promotions get a lot of hatred over signing WWE cast offs and what not but isn't the point of a roster to bring in the best guys possible for your brand? Sports teams do it all the time after all, and guys like Rhodes and Sandow still have quite a bit of tread left on the tires so I say go for it.

 

[TDFG]

I think it would have been more of a story if Dixie Carter said she wasn't interested.

Wade Barrett & Cody Rhodes would be key signings for any Wrestling company out there. It there is to be any changes in creative or an on screen authority then they could do worse than to sign Dutch Mantell as well, maybe even commentary?

The (lack of) schedule TNA has would suit both, especially with Barrett's injury history.

On the other hand, given that this is Dixie Carter, I wouldn't rule out her being interested in signing Hornswoggle.

 

[Navi]

Well, Rhodes did, too. His list included two TNA-exclusive names. Bennett and Lee. Now, sure, they could do a non-televised match on the indies, but it seems more like Rhodes wants to do a type of independent contractor bucket list tour.

But do Sandow and Barrett want to join TNA or join anywhere exclusive (something TNA tends to stick to)? Good question.

I would actually try to watch TNA if they hired Barrett, Sandow and Rhodes. I liked all three of them. Mind you the Stardust character got on my nerves, but word is he wouldn't be doing that anyway. Probably can find the matches on Youtube.

Ryback and the rest I can live without quite honestly. I think TNA would be good for all of them, it would be a win win situation, as long as they didn't torpedo them to the top right away. Make them work for it, but it would be an easier climb than the monolith called the WWE. Plus they would be doing a lighter schedule and not as much travelling, also keeps their names out there. So why not.

 

[ShinChan]

Anyone would be interested in signing talented wrestlers like Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett.

Not only are these guys good at wrestling, they are damn good at mic- skills too.

I loved these 3 guys in WWE and signing of any one or rather all of them would easily make watch TNA every week.

As noted earlier, Cody Rhodes can be a great addition to X Division for now and after spending certain time, he can move up to the main event level.

Sandow and Barrett also possess main event potential. All they need is good strong booking. Their growth should be gradual and natural like that of Ethan Carter III. I am against a skyrocket push for them either.

Don't care about the likes of Ryback. I liked him in past but not anymore. He COULD be a good addition while these 3 guys WOULD SURELY be great additions.

 

[Wrestlingaholic]

The independent scene in the United Kingdom has been flourishing recently, with groups like Revolution Pro, LDN Wrestling (London), Preston City Wrestling in the north west of England, and the biggest being Insane Championship Wrestling, based in Glasgow, Scotland. I can actually see Barrett coming back to Britain to wrestle on the ICW supershow, Fear and Loathing IX, in November, and possibly becoming a marquee act for PCW in his home town. PCW over the last couple of years has booked Vader, Johnny Mundo and even Riddick Bowe, and have upcoming shows with Billy Gunn, Hardcore Holly and the Honky Tonk Man, so it's not a stretch to see them pushing to sign Barrett.

Interestingly l, one of the top heels in ICW is a certain Drew Galloway. It would not surprise me in the slightest if we get Barrett at ICW, where Galloway can then be used by TNA to persuade Barrett to sign with them, which is what I think will happen.

 

[Radical Canadian Goose]

I do see Cody Rhodes going to TNA eventually. I think he would like to do to do an independent tour first. Give it a year and he will be there, and should immediately be in the title hunt.

Wade Barrett I don't foresee stepping in a TNA ring anytime soon. I could see him applying his trade in the UK for a while.

Damien Sandow is an obvious TNA signee. I could even see him being "Damien Carter" EC3's long forgotten brother.

Ryback - People People People. He hasn't been released yet. Let's not speculate, just right now.

One name that no one ever mentions is Alex Riley. I think that out of the bunch he was the most extremely misused of them all. This guy had blue chipper written all over him, then he crossed Lord Cena. In TNA I could see him winning the X title immediately then winning the fans over to eventually elevate imself to Main Event status

 

[stingray11214]

The best shot of TNA signing ANYONE immediately will be Alex Riley and Cameron. Maybe even Adam Rose. The reason is that those three TNA will more than likely be able to afford. Barrett may stay in the UK with a few appearances here and in Japan. Rhodes will probably end up at RoH/NJPW. RyBorg, for all his blather about the Impact Zone, is someone that TNA cannot afford to pay. He was looking for $500K from Vince. He will get nowhere near that from Dixie. However, I can see him going to NJPW as Anderson's replacement in Bullet Club. The Big Guy will be a hit in Japan. Probably become bigger than ever if he goes to Japan. Aaron Stevens may take some money from Dixie, but only if he is allowed to take Indy dates indiscriminately.

But, for all Dixie's hot air, she will not be able to pay for all of these people. She can barely pay the people that she has NOW. RyBorg will go ballistic with the first missed check. Ray Leppan (Adam Rose) has his son's G-Tube formula to buy. Sandow will laugh and want out. In the end, she will sign the people she will be able to afford: Riley, Cameron and Rose.

NOTE: Leppan will probably end up with TNA, if only because he lives close by the Impact Zone, and he can be home to help with his son.