Who are TNA's WWE Rejects?

[farlance]

Its time for us to come together and officially define "WWE Rejects" What does it mean, and who is on the list?

I personally define a WWE reject as someone that couldn't make it in the WWE and were ultimately released by them for lack of talent or charisma or ideas for them.

I dont consider someone a WWE reject if they quit WWE or if there was some underlying issue with their release.....Kennedy.

TNA guys that would make my list are, Davari, Stevie Richards, Elijah Burke, Kip James, BG James, Matt Morgan(the biggest of all in my opinion) Rhino, Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarret(yes I said it, he's a mid card at best in WWE)

This is i list of the top of my head, feel free to add people, argue people who are on the list. Just trying to come up with a definition here and people who may qualify.

 

[RKOhead84]

I disagree with afew of those. Jeff Hardy obviously isnt a reject he is the WHC. He only left due to substance abuse. Nash, Steiner I agree 100percent. Nobody cared about them while they were there. Steiner is horrible in the ring and ended up feuding with Test and living in the mid card. Nash on the other hand Ive always thought had ZERO talent in the ring and was more hype than anything. Everyone knows about Angle's situation so he def isnt a reject. The Dudley's, I have no idea what happened and why they left so I cant comment on that. But the rest of them, reject. Period. I laugh when I think of Steven Richards they thought of everything for that guy and nobody cared. The rest of them I wont waste my finger muscle typing.

 

[ProWrestling'sBrain]

WWE Reject may sound as if it's someone who couldn't cut it in the WWE and was let go, however it got redefined. "WWE Reject" now means someone who previously worked for WCW, ECW or WWE that TNA signed. Although someone like King Booker, who failed a drug test and didn't want to face his punishment & getting de-pushed, requested his release from the WWE and went to TNA. That makes him a "WWE Reject" because he worked for the WWE and TNA signed him, although he wasn't exactly a "reject" but that is how the term is used.

 

[ALLIKakaMrJ]

I find it funny that this term even exists. when wcw was around no one was callin the talent there WWF rejects. or when guy went to ECW no one would call any of those guys WWF rejects. so why in TNA are we doing this. yall need to stop wit the hatin and start apreciatin. TNA is another company. so what are we gunna do if TNA guys start headin to ROH we gunna call those guys TNA rejects. No most certinaly not. Im just glad there is something else to watch. Something that isnt WWE. To call there roster rejects is insulting to the talent who really come there and find there nitch in the pro wrestling world. We should be glad that there is something else to watch that isnt run by Mcmahon and his tittan of an empire. Cant we just accept the fact that TNA is now not just a lil indy promotion. Instead Celebrate the fact that for the first time in a long time we have options of what pro wrestling company we want to watch on prime-time tv.

 

[TellMeWhy]

A WWE reject should simply be a guy that was simply released and never called back or looked at by WWE for a return. Guys who fit the bill are Rhino, Matt Morgan, BG James, Christy Hemme, Elijah Burke, and Scott Steiner. The rest of the WWE talent in TNA either a)asked for a release b)didn't come to contract negotiations c)were spoken to or have been spoken of in meetings to comeback to the promotion d)Quit or claim to have retired.

Booker T, Tara, Kurt Angle, Team 3D, Bobby Lashley, Kevin Nash, Mic Foley, Taz, Sheik Abdul Bashir, and even Kip James do not fit the bill. I'm sure I maybe missing a few more but you get the point.


But in all, imo the term "WWE reject" is a stupid term. It's like getting fired from Bank Of America and going to work at Wachovia. Is anybody going to call the new Wachovia employee, A Bank Of America reject? It's just stupid, immature, and childish and something promotional marks made up to feed their markish egos to feel that whatever company their loyal to or mark for are elite.

 

[flaboy]

now everyone besides steiner, and the james gang i agree with. steiner didnt have a long enough run in wwe to be called a reject and didnt he win the whc in his short run. and wasnt the james gang, bg and kip apart of one of the greatest factions in wwe. and even the others rhino and richards made the hardcore divison worth watching, in my opinion people like spike and zack gowen, shannon moore, christie hemme, jakie, and even yes aj. are just some that never made in wwe you can find aj wrestling for wwe on youtube just in case you dont believe me

 

[The Poodle]

Samoa Joe is the biggest WWE reject in TNA. Joe was in WWE developmental with John Cena and Mike Knox and was the longest reigning world champ there . He had one match in WWE jobbing to Essa Rios and they didnt think he had what it took.

The mid carders that have been named aren't that big of rejects: if you lose your job as a mid carder in one promotion, you go job in another, that makes sense. But when you arent good enough to make it with the big guys and then the minor leagues make you the face of the franchise, you are the big leagues reject. Plain and simple.

And how can Bobby Lashley be a reject? He quit WWE on his own and they were terrified he'd leave to go to TNA. He's a championship caliber wrestler in WWE, he certainly isn't their reject.

 

[BernacK6]

I think the term we should be using instead of "reject" is cast away or also-ran. Steiner had a horrible run with WWE, but if you look at some comments he made about his time with WWE, he blames HHH & Flair. As the IWC, do we care more about Steiner or about HHH & Flair? Steiner blows & never got over with us, the fans. He is a WWE "also-ran" because he was name coming back to WWE and his Big Poppa Pump gimmick didn't work.

Nash was the PWI Wrestler of the Year in 1995 and was one of the most popular and over wrestlers of the era. He was one of the central reasons why WWF & WCW competed in the late 90's. He is not a reject, also-ran, or cast away. His time in TNA is tainting what could be remembered as an all-time great career.

Matt Morgan, Rhyno & Daivari never got booked correctly with WWE, so they are cast aways.

Kip & BG James were and are one of the best tag teams in WWE history and part of the best years of DX. They left after they split & ran out of time individually.

The biggest TNA WWE Reject is Jeff Jarrett, no question. He was mid-card talent at best, was over as a heel, but was never EVER going to be near the Main Event in WWE, and was a jag backstage (he was literally only over with Owen Hart). He is a WWE reject because he eventually got so sick and tired of not having the talent to succeed at the highest level that he put his own money into his own company and booked himself as the top dog. Pretty sad.

 

[RKOLEGACYRULZ]

I think the term we should be using instead of "reject" is cast away or also-ran. Steiner had a horrible run with WWE, but if you look at some comments he made about his time with WWE, he blames HHH & Flair. As the IWC, do we care more about Steiner or about HHH & Flair? Steiner blows & never got over with us, the fans. He is a WWE "also-ran" because he was name coming back to WWE and his Big Poppa Pump gimmick didn't work.

Steiner and KeviN Nash were WCW Made (cause Kevin Nash at the time was known as Vinnie Vegas ) WWE rejects no? WCW made yep!


Nash was the PWI Wrestler of the Year in 1995 and was one of the most popular and over wrestlers of the era. He was one of the central reasons why WWF & WCW competed in the late 90's. He is not a reject, also-ran, or cast away. His time in TNA is tainting what could be remembered as an all-time great career.

Matt Morgan, Rhyno & Daivari never got booked correctly with WWE, so they are cast aways.

Kip & BG James were and are one of the best tag teams in WWE history and part of the best years of DX. They left after they split & ran out of time individually.

The biggest TNA WWE Reject is Jeff Jarrett, no question. He was mid-card talent at best, was over as a heel, but was never EVER going to be near the Main Event in WWE, and was a jag backstage (he was literally only over with Owen Hart). He is a WWE reject because he eventually got so sick and tired of not having the talent to succeed at the highest level that he put his own money into his own company and booked himself as the top dog. Pretty sad.

U know what is pretty sad that Jeff Jarrett didn t purchase WCW when it was in financial trouble coz if he had WWF Circus would have been non-existent! If you are making fun of JJ of creating TNA to book himself how about Vinnie Mac who bought off his own competition WCW coz only a loser does that to buy out his competitor!!

 

[Reddannihilation]

The biggest TNA WWE Reject is Jeff Jarrett, no question. He was mid-card talent at best, was over as a heel, but was never EVER going to be near the Main Event in WWE, and was a jag backstage (he was literally only over with Owen Hart). He is a WWE reject because he eventually got so sick and tired of not having the talent to succeed at the highest level that he put his own money into his own company and booked himself as the top dog. Pretty sad.

Are you unaware of Jarrett's career outisde of his stints in the WWF or something? Jarrett was a four time WCW heavyweight Champion and a three time US champion. Just because he only reached midcard status in the WWF doesn't make him a WWE reject. If anything the fact that he never signed with WWE when they bought out WCW enforces that. Jarrett didn't want to be part of the WWE so he was never rejected by them. Seriously, when WCW went under Jarrett was a main eventer he reached the highest level and decided he didn't want to be buried with his colleagues by the "E". Just because he made his own company so that WWE wouldn't hold a monopoly over the wrestling business doesn't make him a reject.

 

[conradhunter]

R-TRUTH is from tna but no one calls him a tna reject so why call guys that went from wwe to tna rejects there not wwe rejects they just went to tna cos its easy to work there cos wwe has the wrestlers fully loaded this stuff like house shows on the weekend and plus there daily shows and signings. and they even say tna is easy to work at (tna tape a months worth of impact in one week over three days and that means they have three and half weeks of a break

IF YOU CALL WRESTLERS IN TNA WHO WENT TO WWE TO TNA REJECTS THEN YOUR CALLING WRESTLERS WHO WENT FROM TNA TO WWE REJECTS.

anyway there not wwe rejects they went wanted a easy work load

 

[andymcg]

Valid point conradhunter, R-Truth during his later stint in TNA done nothing, but team with Pacman Jones.

Now onto another point, ive always kinda thought if you are a reject from some place, you never quite got into that place. So wouldnt that mean the likes of AJ, Daniels, MCMG, Eric Young, Etc are all the WWE rejects, as they never techniclly got there in the first place ? Though i suppose WWE offered AJ a contract and he said no, but you get my point ?

 

[gd]

I don't really see what the point of labeling any wrestlers as "WWE rejects" is. Regardless of why they left the WWE, they are in TNA now and that's all that is all that matters at the moment. I'm sure you could label a million guys in TNA as WWE rejects, from Booker T to Jarrett to Samoa Joe. In the end, it doesn't really matter. They are still in a big time wrestling company which is something nearly every indy wrestler dreams of.

 

[oldschool123]

R-TRUTH is from tna but no one calls him a tna reject so why call guys that went from wwe to tna rejects there not wwe rejects they just went to tna cos its easy to work there cos wwe has the wrestlers fully loaded this stuff like house shows on the weekend and plus there daily shows and signings. and they even say tna is easy to work at (tna tape a months worth of impact in one week over three days and that means they have three and half weeks of a break

IF YOU CALL WRESTLERS IN TNA WHO WENT TO WWE TO TNA REJECTS THEN YOUR CALLING WRESTLERS WHO WENT FROM TNA TO WWE REJECTS.

anyway there not wwe rejects they went wanted a easy work load

Because people don't get rejected up. WWE is by far the primere wrestling organization so going there from TNA is like a promotion. Calling him a TNA reject would be like saying that A-Rod is a Rangers reject because the Yankees got him.

 

[Lee]

R-TRUTH is from tna but no one calls him a tna reject so why call guys that went from wwe to tna rejects there not wwe rejects they just went to tna cos its easy to work there cos wwe has the wrestlers fully loaded this stuff like house shows on the weekend and plus there daily shows and signings. and they even say tna is easy to work at (tna tape a months worth of impact in one week over three days and that means they have three and half weeks of a break

IF YOU CALL WRESTLERS IN TNA WHO WENT TO WWE TO TNA REJECTS THEN YOUR CALLING WRESTLERS WHO WENT FROM TNA TO WWE REJECTS.

anyway there not wwe rejects they went wanted a easy work load

Apart from the fact that R-Truth/Ron Killings was originally in WWE as K-Kwik...getting Rowdy! He's a two time Hardcore champion there, so you can hardly call him a TNA reject when he was released from WWE in 2001 and then asked for his release from TNA in 2007/08. That to me sounds more like a 'WWE reject' than a 'TNA reject'

 

[I_Like_All_Wrestling]

re⋅ject
-verb
--to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel.
--to discard as useless or unsatisfactory: The mind rejects painful memories.
--to cast out or off.
-noun
something rejected, as an imperfect article.

In the literal sense, a "WWE reject" would be someone who was release from WWE because they did not have an interest in them. If someone was released due to a wellness issue I don't think that would fall under the "reject" category. You would have to define a reject as someone who WWE considered talentless or not worth their time, not someone who was release due to business or legal reasons.

Kurt Angle: I'm sure he would be welcomed back to WWE. Also, I don't think it was ever truly revealed under what terms he left WWE. They surely did not simply release him.
Not a reject.

Daivari: Was offered a new WWE contract when his was up and chose to go to TNA. Clearly that cannot be defined as a reject. Not a reject.

Mick Foley: Chose to leave WWE. I'm not sure what his contact situation was or if he was offered a new one, but it seems likely that he would have a job in WWE if he wanted one. Not a reject.

Booker T: Released supposedly due to wellness issues. Prominently features on TV prior to release and was a former champion. I'm sure WWE would re-sign Booker as well. Due to his release as a result of wellness issues as well as all his successes even up to the time of release...cannot be considered a reject. Not a reject.

Scott Steiner: I have no idea what Steiner contract situation with WWE was in the past. It seems likely though that if they wanted him he would have gone there. Steiner is a shell of himself and really can't do that much. He is a name but based on recent history he's likely to be classified as a reject. Reject.

BG James & Kip James: It was reported that WWE had some interest in bringing them back to TV a few years ago in a role with DX. They were part of one of the most popular factions and tag teams of all time. However, I doubt WWE would have much interest in them at this point. Rejects.

Bobby Lashley: Clearly not a reject. Chose to leave WWE and came to terms with a release. WWE did not want to release him and pushed him very heavily. Not a reject.

Christy Hemme: Winner of $250,000 diva search. Was a featured WWE Diva in Playboy. Was not offered a new contract at the same price. Was not released. It seems that Christy simply did not re-sign a new contract with WWE and I have a feeling she would be welcomed back as well. This is up in the air. If she was not offered a contact I suppose you can classify her as a reject, however, if she simply chose not to re-sign but was offered a new contract you cannot call her a reject. Depends on the story.

"Dr." Stevie Richards: Released by WWE. Did not do anything all that important in his run. Was not a very big name in WWE, most of his success came in old ECW. Reject.

Kevin Nash: As far as I know, was not release, just did not sign a new contract. He is a well known name from the most popular era in wrestling history. I can see that some people call him a reject because of his age and current in ring ability. However, it was reported a few years ago (and constantly) that WWE was interested in him. It was also reported that he was a guest of Vince McMahons at Wrestlemania and is very good friends with HHH. If he wanted to go back to WWE I'm sure he would have a job there...whether it's in ring or not is anyones guess. Not a reject.

Matt Morgan: Release by WWE. Didn't do much while he was there. I thin there is potential in Morgan but based on current definitions you would have to classify him as a reject. Reject.

Rhino: Release by WWE for conduct. I would guess that they would be willing to bring him back and that he could make more money with WWE. However, the fact that they have not brought him back and the fact that he was not all that important in WWE would classify him as a reject. Reject.

Team 3D: I really can't decide what to put here. They are incredible stale, but are one of the most well known and decorated tag teams in history. Supposedly they were offered contracts with WWE a few times while at TNA, though that it hard to believe since there really is no tag team division or push. They are names. I would be willing to accept it either way reject or no reject.

Jeff Jarrett: Who knows with this one. There is a personally history between him and Vince, and it's been rumored that he was blackballed from ever being in WWE again. Other than personal reason I don;t think there are any other reasons he would NOT be wanted by WWE. Due to the fact that he is not in WWE due to PERSONAL reason you can not classify him as a reject.

Elijah Burke: I happen to think Burke has a lot of potential. I don't know why he was released by WWE. But the fact that he was released and did not do anything that big in his time there would have to classify him as a reject. He's young enough that he could overcome this and become a star, and I think he will if TNA uses him right. But for now as much as I hate to say it, you have to say...reject.

Taz: Since Taz isn't an in ring performer I don think you can hold him to the same criteria. He is unable to wrestle and I don't know what his negotiations with WWE were. It seems he walked away, but who knows. Because he is not a wrestler I don't think you need to include him.

Sting: Sting has never wrestled in WWE but many people call him a "reject" when they actually probably mean something like "over the hill." He is very well known, and was one of the faces of WCW at the height of the Monday Night Wars. Has repeatedly turns down WWE offers. You better believe that WWE would be interested in signing Sting even if it was for one Wrestlemania match again Shawn Michaels or something. You cannot call him a reject.

Oddly enough, Ken Kennedy/Anderson who people used to be big on would have to be considered a "reject" if/when he signs with TNA. Umaga, however would not, as WWE still wanted him but released him due to other reasons.

Also, if Jeff Hardy were to sign with TNA he would not be a reject. I personally think it's very unlikely that he would re-sign with TNA, but if he does, he would be doing so on his own accord, after being a multi-time champion and getting a huge push. If he leaves and goes to TNA it's his choice. Clearly could not be a reject.

 

[cyborg2040]

re⋅ject
-verb
--to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel.
--to discard as useless or unsatisfactory: The mind rejects painful memories.
--to cast out or off.
-noun
something rejected, as an imperfect article.

In the literal sense, a "WWE reject" would be someone who was release from WWE because they did not have an interest in them. If someone was released due to a wellness issue I don't think that would fall under the "reject" category. You would have to define a reject as someone who WWE considered talentless or not worth their time, not someone who was release due to business or legal reasons.

Kurt Angle: I'm sure he would be welcomed back to WWE. Also, I don't think it was ever truly revealed under what terms he left WWE. They surely did not simply release him.
Not a reject.

Daivari: Was offered a new WWE contract when his was up and chose to go to TNA. Clearly that cannot be defined as a reject. Not a reject.

Mick Foley: Chose to leave WWE. I'm not sure what his contact situation was or if he was offered a new one, but it seems likely that he would have a job in WWE if he wanted one. Not a reject.

Booker T: Released supposedly due to wellness issues. Prominently features on TV prior to release and was a former champion. I'm sure WWE would re-sign Booker as well. Due to his release as a result of wellness issues as well as all his successes even up to the time of release...cannot be considered a reject. Not a reject.

Scott Steiner: I have no idea what Steiner contract situation with WWE was in the past. It seems likely though that if they wanted him he would have gone there. Steiner is a shell of himself and really can't do that much. He is a name but based on recent history he's likely to be classified as a reject. Reject.

BG James & Kip James: It was reported that WWE had some interest in bringing them back to TV a few years ago in a role with DX. They were part of one of the most popular factions and tag teams of all time. However, I doubt WWE would have much interest in them at this point. Rejects.

Bobby Lashley: Clearly not a reject. Chose to leave WWE and came to terms with a release. WWE did not want to release him and pushed him very heavily. Not a reject.

Christy Hemme: Winner of $250,000 diva search. Was a featured WWE Diva in Playboy. Was not offered a new contract at the same price. Was not released. It seems that Christy simply did not re-sign a new contract with WWE and I have a feeling she would be welcomed back as well. This is up in the air. If she was not offered a contact I suppose you can classify her as a reject, however, if she simply chose not to re-sign but was offered a new contract you cannot call her a reject. Depends on the story.

"Dr." Stevie Richards: Released by WWE. Did not do anything all that important in his run. Was not a very big name in WWE, most of his success came in old ECW. Reject.

Kevin Nash: As far as I know, was not release, just did not sign a new contract. He is a well known name from the most popular era in wrestling history. I can see that some people call him a reject because of his age and current in ring ability. However, it was reported a few years ago (and constantly) that WWE was interested in him. It was also reported that he was a guest of Vince McMahons at Wrestlemania and is very good friends with HHH. If he wanted to go back to WWE I'm sure he would have a job there...whether it's in ring or not is anyones guess. Not a reject.

Matt Morgan: Release by WWE. Didn't do much while he was there. I thin there is potential in Morgan but based on current definitions you would have to classify him as a reject. Reject.

Rhino: Release by WWE for conduct. I would guess that they would be willing to bring him back and that he could make more money with WWE. However, the fact that they have not brought him back and the fact that he was not all that important in WWE would classify him as a reject. Reject.

Team 3D: I really can't decide what to put here. They are incredible stale, but are one of the most well known and decorated tag teams in history. Supposedly they were offered contracts with WWE a few times while at TNA, though that it hard to believe since there really is no tag team division or push. They are names. I would be willing to accept it either way reject or no reject.

Jeff Jarrett: Who knows with this one. There is a personally history between him and Vince, and it's been rumored that he was blackballed from ever being in WWE again. Other than personal reason I don;t think there are any other reasons he would NOT be wanted by WWE. Due to the fact that he is not in WWE due to PERSONAL reason you can not classify him as a reject.

Elijah Burke: I happen to think Burke has a lot of potential. I don't know why he was released by WWE. But the fact that he was released and did not do anything that big in his time there would have to classify him as a reject. He's young enough that he could overcome this and become a star, and I think he will if TNA uses him right. But for now as much as I hate to say it, you have to say...reject.

Taz: Since Taz isn't an in ring performer I don think you can hold him to the same criteria. He is unable to wrestle and I don't know what his negotiations with WWE were. It seems he walked away, but who knows. Because he is not a wrestler I don't think you need to include him.

Sting: Sting has never wrestled in WWE but many people call him a "reject" when they actually probably mean something like "over the hill." He is very well known, and was one of the faces of WCW at the height of the Monday Night Wars. Has repeatedly turns down WWE offers. You better believe that WWE would be interested in signing Sting even if it was for one Wrestlemania match again Shawn Michaels or something. You cannot call him a reject.

Oddly enough, Ken Kennedy/Anderson who people used to be big on would have to be considered a "reject" if/when he signs with TNA. Umaga, however would not, as WWE still wanted him but released him due to other reasons.

Also, if Jeff Hardy were to sign with TNA he would not be a reject. I personally think it's very unlikely that he would re-sign with TNA, but if he does, he would be doing so on his own accord, after being a multi-time champion and getting a huge push. If he leaves and goes to TNA it's his choice. Clearly could not be a reject.

That is what I was planing on writing almost to the T. I agree with every point you made. At the same time I don't see where it matters if somebody is a WWE reject or not. If TNA can make money with a guy, and that guy can make money in TNA, then I don't see any problems with anyone TNA (or any other company for that matter) hires.

 

[mrarmageddon]

It's stupid to call anyone a WWE reject, WWE has a MASSIVE roster and if you don't work there then there is one other major American promotion (sorryy ROH fans).

Obviously WWE will release people, not everyone can get on tv long enough to have a storyline. Not everyone who got released from WWE is old and talentless (Matt Morgan,Bobby Lashley and Ken Kennedy certainly aren't) and not everyone in WWE is amazing both on the mic and in the ring(ahem Great Khali, Hornswaggle anyone?).

Nobody said Christian Cage was a reject when TNA pushed him out of the title picture (he was obv not gonna get belt again) and then had MEM kick crap out of him in his last appearance. Not saying he was a TNA reject, but he should be labelled that if everyone who leaves WWE to come to TNA is.

The fact of the matter is there are 2 major promotions both getting viewers in their millions and there is a surplus of talent as WWE can't have everyone on their own...no matter how much they dilute their roster over 4 shows.

Oh and another thing because WWE creative are rubbish doesn't make someone a reject "what Matt Morgan's stutter isn't getting over?....you're kidding me?!" lol

 

[Enigma]

Its time for us to come together and officially define "WWE Rejects" What does it mean, and who is on the list?

I personally define a WWE reject as someone that couldn't make it in the WWE and were ultimately released by them for lack of talent or charisma or ideas for them.

I dont consider someone a WWE reject if they quit WWE or if there was some underlying issue with their release.....Kennedy.

TNA guys that would make my list are, Davari, Stevie Richards, Elijah Burke, Kip James, BG James, Matt Morgan(the biggest of all in my opinion) Rhino, Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarret(yes I said it, he's a mid card at best in WWE)

This is i list of the top of my head, feel free to add people, argue people who are on the list. Just trying to come up with a definition here and people who may qualify.

Well, If WWE Rejects aren't considered unless they quit or underlying issue then that means Rhino should be off your list along with Elijah Burke. Matt Morgan shouldn't be a reject if the Creative team was the reason why he was ruined.

Real WWE Rejects are:

-AJ Styles
-Samoa Joe
-Stevie Richards
-Kip James
-BG James
-Jethro Holiday.