TNA Making Play For Prince Devitt?

[FitFinlay4Life]

WZ Main Page:
Big Prince Devitt WWE Update
According to F4WOnline.com, backstage word is Prince Devitt has not signed with WWE and may not be signing with the company as TNA is rumored to be making a big play for him.

I generally treat rumors as just that but I do have some belief in this one due to a number of factors:

• Devitt's age - 32 isn't old but could be too old for the WWe to want to reprogram him though NXT etc.
• His size - 5'11" and 179lbs would still be against the norm in WWe.
• Individuality - PD has spent 14 years building a persona, repackaging mightn't appeal to him.
• This tweet (after the TNA Dublin show this year) might suggest that talks might be going some time - https://twitter.com/fergaldevitt/status/428671774927360000
• He has worked with both the Wolves in the past (see below).

Whatever the reason, should this be true, then every TNA fan must take heart in the fact that the company is still actively pursuing new talent... and well regarded talent at that!

[YOUTUBE]HXyAM9-9gHc[/YOUTUBE]​

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Again, like most out-of-staters (well, out-of-country...ers) I don't know much about this guy aside from what I've caught here and there in YouTube compilations and the like, but Devitt clearly has a tremendous talent level that clearly appears as though it would translate well to a U.S. audience.

I'd love to see him brought in, not because I'm a fan of his in particular (I don't know enough about him to be one), but because I think he can bring with him a percentage of new viewers who'd want to follow his career to TNA, and because of what I do know of him, I think he'd fit TNA's model to a tee — especially within the storyline of MVP having taken over Wrestling Operations and driving this new talent initiative. I mean, remember, before this whole war with Dixie over control over Wrestling Ops, we were told the Wolves were "just the beginning", so I don't think the new talent and returning talent (like Lashley) are the end at all. If that means Devitt and/or more talent, then by all means, debut debut debut!

Additionally, I'd hope this also lends to bringing back Bad Influence as well — a duo I just don't want to see leave TNA to begin with.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Definitely with you on BI, they're so consistently entertaining it's unbelievable. I've seen word on the non spoiler listing for some returning alumni this week on Impact. Thing's definitely following that old Bob Dylan song at the moment...

 

[Alex]

Devitt is brilliant. The guy is a great wrestler and a good talker on the mic. His Irish accent is pretty cool and makes him sound even more badass.

Honestly I'd rather see him in TNA than WWE. He doesn't seem the type who'd like the WWE schedule and then there's the whole thing of him having to go to NXT and the possibility of him getting repackaged. Some people don't mind but at the same time if you're going to bring a big name from NJPW it would be beneficial (in my opinion) to use the persona they've already got.

 

[Papa Pillman]

I'll take a "believe it when I see it" approach to this, but I'd love to see it.

I do think that WWE is still interested, but the reports are that TNA is pushing very hard to acquire Devitt's services, and they could be an appealing destination for some of the reasons that FF4L listed.

Obviously getting Devitt in the fold would be a massive addition for TNA.

In New Japan, Styles has taken Devitt's place as leader of "Bullet Club", a stable of non-Japanese wrestlers; it'd be nice to be able to see TNA almost making this look like a "trade", signing Devitt and inserting him somewhere permanently near the top of card where Styles was a mainstay.

 

[Fabulous Freebirds]

Would like to see Devitt in TNA. Hope it does happen. A good shot in the arm to TNA if tbey could get him.

 

[X]

I haven't watched the WWE since September, and I haven't watched TNA since...Jesus I think it's been over a year now. Not because either promotion has been particularly bad, just other stuff going on in my life and a lack of time to properly dedicate to it (I'm an OCD bastard, when I dive back into wrestling I'm picking up literally on the TV or PPV I left off at).

That said, I would tune in immediately to TNA if they signed Prince Devitt. I've been an advocate and superfan of the guy for years now (you can kindly thank me for suggesting the awesome avatar later) and he's on the shortlist for best junior heavyweights in the world, if not the single best right now in terms of workrate. If TNA can accomplish this, I'm tuning in, simple as that. Glad to see TNA pursuing the kind of guys who wouldn't really work in the WWE system like the Wolves and now hopefully Devitt. These guys deserve a much bigger spotlight.

 

[The Eighties]

I thought Regal would ensure he got a good shot in WWE but if he has issues with the workload of WWE and not having complete control of his character then I guess TNA is the second best option in the US.

I've only seen a few of his more recent matches but I thought they were decent, I liked his heel schtick more so than his earlier stuff where he did more high spots. He should bring his bodyguard with him, basically the Japanese Diesel.

If he signs with TNA I hope they assign him a paint budget as his entrance is one of the best things about his act.

[YOUTUBE]ijXndtKpzhU[/YOUTUBE]​

 

[New Hot Fed]

^^^^ I wish Sting would have been this creative with his paint job when he was in TNA.

They could bring in Devitt with Adam Cole and have them form a tag team to feud with the Wolves.

 

[sea73]

Agree, that body paint is amazing and would require a budget of its own. I think with other masked/mysterious characters (Willow, Manik, Tigre Uno, Abyss) it would certainly make TNA an interesting place.

 

[Rassling Fan 1974]

Prince Devitt has tremendous talent. Would be a awesome signing if TNA brings him on board. Excellent in the ring & on the mic. Would really fit with the characters TNA are creating at this time. I think WWE has been interested in signing him. But I think they'll change his persona. Where TNA would keep his persona I hope. He doesn't need to be rebranded. Just introduce him to the fanbase where ever he lands

 

[Papa Pillman]

Now that TNA has signed and debuted Tom Latimer(former Ascension member Kenneth Cameron) as "Bram", an old friend of Magnus from his younger days across the pond, I think that also opens a door for a built in spot for Devitt in TNA if they could get him to sign and start working relatively quickly. He could come in like the Bram character as another person from Magnus's past. He is the right age and has the right look, and though not British, Ireland is close enough to be able include him as a logical kayfabe part of their former circle.

Devitt and Latimer could work well as a team, giving Devitt purpose while he gets over with the American audience and establishes himself before breaking out as a star on his own.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

So it's a series of former comrades coming in as part of a story? Fine by me, but I'd be more concerned with what the payoff of that story would be than how it might best serve Devitt in bridging the gap to a U.S. Promotion.

I agree he might need one to translate over well, or at least a spring board to provide a reason for his being there, but the bigger concern for me would definitely be why all these guys from Magnus' past are coming into the company.