Ranking Best Potential WWE Prospects from Other Promotions

Even with as many talented grapplers as WWE has plucked from other promotions, the wrestling world is still bursting with potential greats to bring aboard.

Japan features two strike-happy men with swagger to spare. Mexico offers speedsters and masked warriors. Ring of Honor boasts some of the best all-around mat men around today.

And some of the most appealing potential WWE prospects are men who have competed for the company in the past and have since found their voice elsewhere.

To determine who would most fit in WWE and who would make the biggest impact there, one has to look at a wrestler's size, look, ring skills and charisma. How they would mesh with the WWE style is another consideration.

Age is a factor as well. Excellent wrestlers such as Bobby Roode (38 years old) are less likely to get a look from WWE officials compared to their younger counterparts. 

Workers who compete in more than one promotion are only listed under one of them here. For example, Ricochet is under the Dragon Gate banner for the purpose of this list. The Young Bucks are put in the ROH category rather than as New Japan Pro Wrestling members.

With Samoa Joe rumored to be signing with WWE, per ProWrestling.net, he's not considered for these rankings. 

Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor has a been a pipeline of talent to WWE. Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan and Cesaro all first plied their trade there. As noted earlier, Samoa Joe is expected to follow them to Vince McMahon's company.

The current ROH roster features some skilled young wrestlers and a pair of established tag teams.

While most of the top talent isn't an ideal size for WWE, the company has shown it isn't as adverse to smaller guys as it was in the past. That's good news for a guy like Adam Cole, whose height is his biggest obstacle to WWE success.

1. Adam Cole

• Age: 25
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 205 lbs

Cole is a well-rounded wrestler with plenty of years ahead of him.

He has great showmanship, is a good athlete and has proved he can produce a high-quality match. On top of that, he plays to the crowd well. He will remind fans of Daniel Bryan in terms of quickness and mat skill, though he's not quite the technician that Bryan is.

2. Mike Bennett

• Age: 29
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 224 lbs

A notch below Cole in terms of ring work, Bennett makes up for it with charisma and energy on the mic. A sculpted, movie-star look certainly doesn't hurt.

Were he a touch bigger, WWE likely would have come looking for him a lot sooner. 

He doesn't work like a little guy, though. Bennett's move set is full of power moves, and he's impressively strong.

3. The Briscoe Brothers

• Age: Mark (30), Jay (31)
• Height/Weight: Mark (6'0'', 180 lbs), Jay (6'0'', 204 lbs)

They would have to tone down their foul-mouthed promos, but Mark and Jay Briscoe are absolute stars. The brothers are great on the mic and have a standout presence.

Their gritty personas will catch on quickly as well. Think The Sheepherders merged with The Faboulous Freebirds.

In the ring, they are talented brawlers who can work a fast-paced match. Being less versatile and well-rounded in the ring than Bennett and Cole drop them down a few spots here. 

4. The Young Bucks

• Age: Matt (30), Nick (25)
• Height/Weight: Matt (5'10'', 172 lbs ), Nick (5'10'', 178 lbs)

The Young Bucks are a team that would likely prefer to continue wrestling in Japan and for places like ROH. WWE may not threat them like formidable threats and instead make them more of a fun side attraction.

Matt and Nick Jackson are both great athletes. They have a real connection with the crowd, deliver fun offense and can become a blur in the ring. Their charisma and teamwork will remind fans of The Rockers and The Hardy Boyz.

Size is what would keep WWE unsure about showcasing them. And they thrive working the athleticism-centered, independent style, but it's unclear if that would translate to WWE where storytelling is key.

5. Michael Elgin

• Age: 28
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 245 lbs

An intense, powerful athlete, Elgin is explosive and aggressive. He's not great on the mic but makes up for it a number of good matches on his resume.

He's a lot like Bull Dempsey but stronger and more polished. Elgin isn't as big as WWE usually likes its powerhouses, so that brings him down on the list some.

6. ACH

• Age: 27 
• Height/Weight: 5'9'', 190 lbs

The list of 5'9'' guys on the roster is not long. You have to be extremely good to get WWE to notice you at that size.

ACH has a lot of potential and could very well fall into that category.

He adds good energy and charisma to his high-flying, explosive ring work. He's creative offensively as well, tweaking moves to make them his own. 

7. Moose

• Age: 30
• Height/Weight: 6'5'', 295 lbs

Moose, a former NFL player, is the rawest wrestler on this list. He's clearly dedicated to the mat game, and it's not clear how long it will take him to become a dependable ring worker. He's neither smooth nor confident yet.

It's his physical gifts that will have scouts drooling. He's huge, muscular and explosive.  

When a man that big hits a dropkick as well as he does, he will have WWE talking.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

WWE doesn't have a great history of mining Japanese talent. Hideo Itami is showing, though, that things may be changing as we speak.

If the company wants more hard-hitting, exciting Japanese wrestlers to come join the team, it will find that New Japan Pro Wrestling is stacked with talent. And while traditionally Japanese wrestlers have been better shooters than showmen, two top stars are bucking that trend.

1. Kazuchika Okada

• Age: 27
• Height/Weight: 6'3'', 236 lbs

Charisma, presence and showmanship make Okada stand out. He works like a 15-year veteran already, so one can only imagine what his ceiling is.

His storytelling and psychology in the ring are both top-notch. Watch any of his great battles with Hiroshi Tanahashi for evidence of that.

As a plus, he's bigger than most Japanese wrestlers. 

2. Shinsuke Nakamura

• Age: 35
• Height/Weight: 6'2'', 229 lbs

Nakaumura is a better overall talent than Okada but is eight years older and not quite as big. He has off-the-charts charisma and is a master of working the crowd.

He's extremely versatile as well. Nakamura can excel against anyone on the roster. He can fly, brawl or mat wrestle.

He and Okada are NJPW's two blue-chippers.

3. Kota Ibushi

• Age: 32
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 190 lbs

Consistently wowing fans is Ibushi's speciality.

WWE fans would be reminded of both Neville and Finn Balor should they see him work. The exciting high-flyer seems to have spring in his legs and has unreal speed.

He has solid charisma, but nothing compared to what Nakamura and Okada exude. Being on the smaller side drops him to this point as well.

4. AJ Styles

• Age: 37
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 215 lbs

A stalwart for TNA, Styles moved to NJPW and got even better. The last year-and-a-half has seen him churn out classics.

He's not great on the mic, but just about everything else is top-notch. Plenty of presence in ring and a mix of high-flying and quality storytelling have made him a success in the U.S. and Japan.

Being closer to the end of his career than NJPW's other top stars is his biggest shortcoming. WWE should have gone after him years ago.

5. Tetsuya Naito

• Age: 32
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 225 lbs

The Red Comet is a level below NJPW's best in every category.

Naito is versatile, athletic and a strong mat worker. And while his intensity is great, his showmanship overall isn't. He doesn't have the kind of spark that Okada has.

Ibushi outdoes him as a high-flyer. Okada is a better striker.

But none of those statements are knocks on him; the level of talent at NJPW is just incredibly high. 

6. Cody Hall

• Age: 23
• Height/Weight: 6'8'', 258 lbs

Scott Hall's son would be more of a project than the other men on the list. He is really raw and inexperienced but so big and powerful that WWE is sure to keep an eye on him.

He is relatively quick for his size. His showmanship needs work, as does his in-ring psychology. Nothing looks as natural as it should.

He's young, though, and has clearly picked up a few things from his father other than his name power. Upside gets him in the door at the WWE Performance Center, at the very least.

Asistencia Asesoria Y Administracion/Lucha Underground

Pride may prevent WWE from looking for talent at Lucha Underground. The show largely depends on wrestlers from Mexico's Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion, but it has also revamped and resurrected a number of former WWE stars.

Even Ezekiel Jackson has clicked since working on this upstart program.

He doesn't make the list here, though. He's not as talented of a ring worker as his peers and is competing with some promising young powerhouses.

1. The Mack

• Age: 28
• Height/Weight: 5'10'', 280 lbs

A physical wonder, The Mack (also known as Willie Mack) is an impressive combination of power and agility. He flies like a small guy and throws folks around like a power wrestler. 

Throughout his career, he has developed a strong connection with the crowd. He's a fun, engaging personality as well.

WWE showed interest previously. He had a deal and, as PWInsider.com notes, was released before starting at NXT. The company needs to take a second look at him; athletes on his level are rare finds.

2. Johnny Mundo

• Age: 35
• Height/Weight: 6'0'', 215 lbs

Known as John Morrison with WWE, Mundo has improved at Lucha Underground. His personality has emerged more, and he's delivering a string of top-notch matches.

WWE already knows what it's getting with him. He's an impressive high-flyer who is fluid and explosive. He has shown himself to be more charismatic as of late but is still not great on the mic.

Movie-star looks push him to the No. 2 spot here. Being in his mid-30s allows Mack to pass him.

3. "El Patron" Alberto

• Age: 37
• Height/Weight: 6'5'', 239 lbs

Controversy surrounded the man formerly known as Alberto Del Rio's exit from WWE. It would take some major diplomatic work to get wrestler and company on the same page, but there's no denying what Del Rio brings to a ring.

His technical skill is stellar. He's athletic and uses in-ring psychology well. He always had solid charisma—even though fans dismissed him as boring. Physically, Alberto is the perfect blend of a luchador and a WWE-style wrestler.

Mic-wise, he's not great. Lucha Underground and AAA, though, isn't going to be filled with great talkers. Lucha libre doesn't rely on mic work as much as American-style wrestling does. 

Were he not closing on 40, he'd challenge Mack for the top spot.

4. Cage

• Age: 30 
• Height/Weight: 6'0'', 230 lbs

A raw talent with a surplus of energy has to catch WWE's eye. Cage is powerful and intense. He has the typical WWE look, but one has to wonder if he will be just another Mason Ryan.

He's shown flashes of charisma, but that has not been his strong point so far.

Cage is a prospect based on potential, while Mundo and Alberto are more established (but older) wrestlers.

5. El Texano Jr.

• Age: 30
• Height/Weight: 5'9'', 220 lbs

The majority of the luchadors in AAA are too small to get WWE officials excited. While Texano is obviously no behemoth, he still towers over some of the electric athletes he competes with.

He does really good work as a heel and uses psychology well. He's also more powerful than most luchadors. Not as good of an athlete as Mack and not as appealing from a look standpoint than Cage, Texano deserves consideration as a future NXTer.

Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre

The Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre roster is filled with veterans well past their prime and small high-flyers who would struggle at WWE unless there was a cruiserweight division to welcome them.

Still, a few young studs stand out. 

1. Rush

• Age: 26
• Height/Weight: 6'0'', 225 lbs

From a physical makeup standpoint, Rush is by far the member of the CMLL roster best suited for WWE.

He's bigger than most luchadors and has added bulk in recent years. He has more of the WWE look. His in-ring style is built around power and aggression, although he can hit some flying moves as well.

Charisma is a strength as well. The biggest question would be how well he can deliver promos in English. 

2. La Sombra

• Age: 25
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 180 lbs

CMLL is littered with dizzying athletes. La Sombra is not exactly that. He's a good high-flyer but is more of an all-around performer in the ring.

He can brawl and handle himself on the mat. Being solid in most areas and young makes him one of CMLL's better options for WWE scouts. Adding more muscle would certainly help him going forward.

3. Dragon Lee II

• Age: 19
• Height/Weight: 5'7'', 165 lbs

If Dragon Lee were bigger, he would compete with Rush as CMLL's top WWE prospect.

Solid showmanship aids his matches. He's a better mat wrestler than many luchadors. As for his flying skills, he's quick, fluid and majestic. And at such a young age, he's sure to get better in the coming years.

WWE has to look at him and wonder if he isn't the next Rey Mysterio. 

4. Canelo Casas

• Age: 33
• Height/Weight: 6'1'', 180 lbs

Casas has more presence than La Sombra. He's a better in-ring storyteller as well. It's his build and a lower level of athleticism that moves him down to this spot.

He would need to tone up and get bigger to fit in with the WWE crowd. And while he's a solid athlete, he's not the high-flyer you would expect to come out of a Mexican promotion.

5. Dragon Rojo Jr.

• Age: 32
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 187 lbs

A few notches below Dragon Lee as a high-flyer, Dragon Rojo is still graceful in the air and exciting to watch. He puts together a strong match as well.

Smaller than Casas and Rush and older than WWE usually likes its prospects to be, he's more of a dark horse as a future NXT star than his peers. 

Dragon Gate/Dragon Gate USA

Dragon Gate's roster doesn't have as many potential WWE prospects as its United States counterpart. The Japanese promotion features a number of small, athletic wrestlers and a number of guys in their 40s such as Gamma and Super Shisa.

The American version features some great high-flyers whom WWE would presumably like to see get stronger and more toned.

Plenty of potential exists on the roster, though. 

1. Ricochet

• Age: 26 
• Height/Weight: 5'10'', 163 lbs

Also working as Prince Puma for Lucha Underground, Ricochet is one of the top high-flying wrestlers today. He's speedy, athletic and gets incredible air when he leaves his feet.

Unlike some high-flyers, he can deliver a great match, not just great spots. His work at Lucha Underground is the best example of that. 

More thin than WWE would like, he would have to be willing to spend some time in the gym to move up at NXT. Both Daniel Bryan and Neville went that route, transforming their bodies closer to the WWE aesthetic.

2. Biff Busick

• Age: 29
• Height/Weight: 6'1'', 215 lbs

Other Dragon Gate wrestlers are better than him right now, but WWE has to be intrigued by Busick's potential.

His style is somewhat reminiscent of Cesaro's with strong mat work and hard strikes. He could bulk up as well but has impressive power as it is. A well-rounded offense and being pretty good on the mic add to the total package. 

3. Tony Nese

• Age: 29
• Height/Weight: 5'10'', 213 lbs

Nese's trajectory promises to be much like Busick's. He continues to improve as he gains experience. 

He's a solid striker and good flyer, although not nearly as impressive in that depart as AR Fox and Ricochet. In addition, he's explosive and is built well. 

As of now, he's nothing special on the mic. There are enough flashes during his promos, though, that hint at big things to come.

4. Johnny Gargano

• Age: 27
• Height/Weight: 5'10'', 190 lbs

If Simon Gotch hadn't already found himself a partner in Aiden English, he and Gargano would make a nice pairing. The two wrestlers share a skill at showmanship. Gargano is nearly as charismatic as Gotch and and a better overall athlete. 

He doesn't have the presence that Ricochet has, and Nese has him beat in terms of look. 

Superior mic work pushes him past Fox on this list, as does a better resume. His Pro Wrestling Guerrilla matches are the bulk of his best efforts, bouts that show signs of him moving up the rung of the indy circuit ladder.

5. AR Fox

• Age: 27 
• Height/Weight: 6'0'', 185 lbs

Fox is a lot like Ricochet in terms of strengths and weaknesses. They both lack bulk and are both exciting when the action moves to the air.

He is more creative offensively than Ricochet, which is saying a lot. Fox, however, is not as good of an overall worker as his fellow Dragon Gate USA competitor. He does have a bigger frame than Ricochet, though.

6. Shingo Takagi

• Age: 32
• Height/Weight: 5'10'', 212 lbs

While much of the Dragon Gate Japanese roster is really small guys, Takagi is a bit bigger. He's built well and excels at being a powerhouse.

Intense and explosive, he forces fans to take notice of him. He could be booked like Taz was in ECW if he added some submissions to his arsenal.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

TNA's roster boasts its share of world-class wrestlers, but choosing the best WWE prospects from the bunch isn't just a matter of selecting the best performers. 

WWE has shown in the past that it prefers to create its own talent. And while it clearly has no issue with nabbing stars from Ring of Honor, things are different with TNA. Several good hands have left TNA, only to receive no calls from Vince McMahon and company.

That fact along with James Storm and Bobby Roode being in their late 30s make them odd men out in this discussion. And even with their WWE connections, the ages of Kurt Angle and Bobby Lashley keep them off the list as well. 

WWE is in need of younger stars on the rise. Ironically, two of the men who most fit that description didn't start to garner momentum until they left WWE.

1. Drew Galloway

• Age: 29
• Height/Weight: 6'5'', 254 lbs

As Drew McIntyre with WWE, he always had potential but never quite tapped into it. TNA and the independent circuit have awakened something inside of him.

His always strong ring work is now aided by more intensity and spark. He's grown tremendously as a talker since leaving WWE as well. Getting cut has seemed to inspire him to push himself harder.

Taking him back is a no-brainer for WWE.

2. Bram

• Age: 28
• Height/Weight: 6'3'', 214 lbs

Bram has transformed since his days as a WWE developmental prospect. His persona at TNA is miles better than what he had displayed previously. He's showing potential as a dark, haunting figure. 

He has a good build and is an improving talker. While not great in the ring, he's getting better there, too. Young with lots of upside, Bram would be a valuable pick-up.

3. Ethan Carter III

• Age: 32
• Height/Weight: 6'1'', 250 lbs

Older than Bram and Galloway, Carter struggled to find his voice for years. Many of those were spent at the early version of NXT.

Since then, his charisma has improved dramatically. His smooth, athletic ring work has led to some quality matches. He always had a good look and potential. It took going to TNA for that to lead to something.

Carter has been a tremendous character as Dixie Carter's storyline nephew. WWE certainly wouldn't want to have him reprise that role, but he has proved that with a good gimmick, he can be a valuable asset.

4. Madison Rayne

• Age: 29 
• Height/Weight: 5'4'', 120 lbs

TNA has a number of excellent women's wrestlers. Rayne is not the best of the bunch, but she would be a good fit for WWE.

She's young, exhibits good showmanship and has the combo of mat skills and looks that WWE likes. The company hasn't shown that it's willing to consistently take its women seriously. If it did, Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and others would be prime candidates for WWE returns.

As it stands, Rayne is the TNA Knockout WWE would most covet. Stick her on Total Divas and have her do a series of photo shoots. She would do well there and deliver in the ring if WWE needed that as well.

5. Sanada

• Age: 27
• Height/Weight: 5'11'', 216 lbs

The biggest project on this list, Sanada appears to be on the way up. He's a solid athlete and is improving as a ring worker.

There are flashes of "it" factor, too, but not as consistently as the top prospects out there. Being bigger than many Japanese wrestlers is a plus as well.  

For upside, WWE would be smart to take a chance on Sanada. For a sure thing who is ready for prime time right now, TNA has guys who fit that bill as well in Roode and Storm.

(Note: Sanada has recently parted ways with TNA and is now working the indy circuit, as noted by Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com.)