Big internal push for WWE to sign indie wrestler
Added 2022-01-18 20:45:54 +0000 UTCWWE looks to restock their cupboards following a series of major releases with their recent tryouts. Among the names that participated at the recent WWE tryouts included Monster Factory project Notorious Mimi and 20-year old ROH Champ Rok-C. There have been times in the past that WWE has passed on talent in their teens as being "too young," but it seems like that isn't the case any more. Fightful specifically heard that Rok-C performed well at the WWE tryouts, and there was a significant push within the company to get her signed even before that. The tryouts were so big that they bussed the tryout competitors in and gave Performance Center trainees several days off.
One Performance Center source pointed to Rok-C's main event match with Deonna Purrazzo on IMPACT as evidence of the hiring being a "no brainer," but also mentioned that they thought Wheeler YUTA was a no brainer last year, and he didn't get hired.
Comments
She was also initially trained under Booker T since age 13 and featured in Reality of Wrestling so probably has a working knowledge of the WWE way.
2022-01-20 16:04:38 +0000 UTChttps://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/rok-c-reveals-she-was-contacted-aew-after-signing-roh
Sheila Antonio
2022-01-19 17:42:01 +0000 UTCLiterally checks all the boxes for their publicized directive on hiring female talent. My only tin foil hat reasoning is that she’s not blonde or looks like an Instagram model
Pablo Amaya
2022-01-19 00:41:53 +0000 UTCShe was at a tryout
Fightful Select
2022-01-18 22:05:09 +0000 UTCGood for her if she wants to join. Wasn't there a directive to avoid indie wrestlers though and go for those they could train THEIR way at the PC though? ;)
jason czech
2022-01-18 22:03:38 +0000 UTCHas there been any talk of the other people who tried out being heavily considered?
2022-01-18 21:37:54 +0000 UTCDoes anyone know if there’s been any effort by AEW to go after her too? She has seemed like such a star since last summer.
JB
2022-01-18 21:36:39 +0000 UTCI think Rok C and Mimi are both no-brainer signings for any company . Both have significant futures in the business .
Thomas Middaugh
2022-01-18 21:33:42 +0000 UTCShe is an absolute star, they would be dumb to pass her up
John S
2022-01-18 21:30:33 +0000 UTCThis is very short sighted. Yuta was a 6-foot tall, in shape, already refined 24-year old wrestler with television experience. Him doing anything with AEW doesn't have anything to do with that and is oddly dismissive
Fightful Select
2022-01-18 21:24:18 +0000 UTCI mean. I like Yuta but has he really done anything since the tryout that screams “what a mistake they made “? He’s gotta nice look and from what I’ve seen, he can go but being the 4th wheel in Best Friends doesn’t exactly scream “we should’ve signed this guy” I’ve seen Rox-C. She’s making waves and she’s miles ahead of where she should be at 20 years old. She should be a no brainer and WWE would be wise not to let her go because she’s going to be a name people recognize in 5 years
Joel Wood
2022-01-18 21:21:52 +0000 UTCSo proud of my hometown gal , Rok-C ,if it comes true. I just really hope they treat her well . Her heart is in the right place & seeing her grow has been amazing to see. Team effort indeed.
2022-01-18 21:08:22 +0000 UTCWhat a dogshit thing to say. Be gone
Fightful Select
2022-01-18 21:06:04 +0000 UTCDon’t know them don’t care until the debut or get fired
Sonny Turner
2022-01-18 21:04:33 +0000 UTCOne good thing about this shift in hiring practices is that they are hiring younger and you don’t have as many people you have to rush to the main event and in order to make the most of their talent before Father Time starts to catch up. Wish it didn’t come at the expense of others though
Kyle Cotton
2022-01-18 21:02:25 +0000 UTCAs Enzo Amore says, "she is a bona-fide G and a certified STAR and you CAN'T TEACH THAT."
Chris Bullock
2022-01-18 20:51:09 +0000 UTC
