All they had was a tryout match, and while I'd be surprised that they didn't have to sign something just to be able to do that, I don't believe it's any type of contract. I'm pretty sure they just have to sign a waiver releasing the company from any liability in case they get injured.
That said, how can anyone with even a little bit of knowledge of how a company like the WWE works, and knows anything about Davey Richards background, actually think that guy could be their champion period... let alone in just 3 years time?
The guy is notorious for his horrible attitude, and while something like that can be tolerated on the indy's (or tolerated in the WWE once you've actually made it big time there)... it's not going to be tolerated for a second from someone who hasn't even got his foot in their door yet.
It surprised me at first to hear that Richards and Edwards were actually getting a tryout... because it's not like the WWE isn't well aware of who they are and how they work. Then I realized it was for a couple of reasons...
- Triple H's reasoning of their size and the fact that they've already got plenty of similar guys who can fill any spot they would take
- Richards attitude and if they wanted to even work with him
So they give them the tryout (likely out of respect for Regal), and from what I've heard, it was booked to be a squash because they wanted to see how the 'big indy stars' would handle that. Obvious attitude test here. Then during the match, Richards takes a bad bump and Triple H tells the ref to have them go home. And Richards doesn't?
Richards and Edwards had enough support from Regal that all Richards needed to do was play ball, and they probably would have got the developmental deal and could have waited until either the time came that there was a spot for them on the main roster... or forced the WWE's hand by being too good to ignore.
But him ignoring the boss saying to end the match is just another example of the reason why someone like Davey Richards would never be WWE champion... regardless of how talented he is. He's got a bad attitude, and he simply can't be trusted. They gave him a chance to see if he'd matured, and he obviously hasn't.