James Storm Would Be Valuable Addition to WWE NXT

WWE NXT should be calling James Storm right now, trying to convince him that bringing his hard-hitting ways to Full Sail University is the right move.

The TNA mainstay and surefire future Hall of Famer is currently without a company to call home. With NXT's in-progress transition into a touring brand, someone with his experience, name power and ability to compose a story between the ropes is a no-brainer addition to bring aboard at NXT.

At 38 years old, slowed by age and the wear and tear of over 15 years in the business, Storm is more than a long shot to join the WWE main roster.

WWE has been going young and fresher there, crowning Seth Rollins (29), pushing Roman Reigns (30) and welcoming Kevin Owens (31) in a big way. At NXT, though, there's a different dynamic and different rules.

Samoa Joe recently stormed onto the show, putting to rest the idea that WWE won't sign guys who made their name with TNA. Joe has already been a spark to the show as a known commodity with ample intensity who can thrive in a slugfest. 

Storm provides similar assets, and he's suddenly available. The Tennessee Cowboy is the latest wrestler to end their run with TNA as fans have watched their favorites walk out of the company recently.

Joe is working for NXT. AJ Styles has been wrestling in Japan. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian are long gone. Now Gunner, Magnus and Storm are looking for work elsewhere. As James Caldwell reports for Pro Wrestling Torch, "Storm is reportedly set to leave TNA after the Slammiversary PPV."

Brian Fritz (h/t Jason Solomon of PWMania) reported the news as well:

With that show now over, and what is expected to be Storm's last match with TNA in the books, it's time for NXT to pluck him off the unaffiliated list.

Scooping up Storm betters the NXT product, especially as it has morphed into both a developmental territory and a distinct WWE brand. By bringing in Rhyno and Joe, it's clear that NXT isn't just about the future anymore. It's about the present and appealing to diehard fans.

And WWE reportedly wants to continue going in that direction. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), WWE is considering bringing in more part-time wrestlers like Rhyno to beef up the roster for tours.

Storm would do just that. He's not a megastar, but he's certainly a known name, a guy who will coax some TNA fans to see what the former world champ looks like in a new environment.  

Like Joe, Storm would come into Full Sail University with a ready-made fanbase. And it wouldn't take long before fans unfamiliar with his work would be hooked as well.

The gritty, hard-nosed wrestler would bring a welcome edge to the product. His ability to engage with a darker heel persona was on display during his storyline where he took in The Great Sanada as a mentee. 

Storm has also excelled as one-half of a tag team. Some of TNA's most memorable teams have featured the beer-drinking brawler, including America's Most Wanted and Beer Money. Should NXT pair him up with a young gun, it can both possibly add an entertaining act to NXT shows and offer a prospect a wise vet to learn from.

His experience would be helpful to opponents as well. Officials can confidently plug him in against the likes of Bull Dempsey or Baron Corbin and know that he can provide some in-ring education to those rising stars. 

He's still a good storyteller in the ring, even as his athletic skills have diminished. 

Storm had one of the better matches of his career just last year against Gunner on Impact Wrestling in March. The dramatic, violent contest had the fans in attendance chanting, "This is awesome!" 

He can have the NXT faithful doing the same.

While no long-term answer at WWE, Storm can brawl and scrap his way to NXT success. The brand is an intriguing mix of WWE's homegrown talent, indy stars and recognizable names like Rhyno. Storm could fit right in.

Steve Austin has long believed WWE should sign The Cowboy. Last October, Stone Cold said of Storm on his podcast, "I think the guy can work. I think he's got a pretty damn good look. Is he a spring chicken? No. But can you get a couple of years out of him? Hell yeah you could."

Austin is exactly right. You're not going to get a 10-year run out of him, but he'd sure make NXT fun for a good while. That's reason enough to open the doors for him.

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