The Pro Wrestling Rant

I can’t believe 2025 is nearing its end and John Cena is retiring from in-ring competition. It’s been a wild year with many ups and downs in the wrestling world, but seeing Cena in a match for one last time? I’m not ready for that.

I will, though, celebrate it knowing I watched him from his debut right up to his retirement. I saw him go from The Prototype to the Doctor of Thuganomics to being arguably the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. On that note, let’s Rant, shall we?

The Righteous Arrive in TNA

First of all, I must say that I am a big fan of Dutch & Vincent. Their character work is spot on with everything from their look to their music, right down to the finer details like the snapping of the fingers. It works in so many ways. I love it.

A few months back, rumours were The Righteous were WWE bound, and boy was I looking forward to that. Hunter was in the process of signing them a few years back, but then the company did a hiring freeze which caused Tony Khan to swoop in. Once they hit the free agent market again, I figured ‘H’ wouldn’t let this one slip away once again.

I’m not sure if the plan was for them to team up with Karrion Kross & Scarlett or not, because they didn’t end up signing with WWE. Weird, I know.

When they showed up on TNA, I was surprised, but it made sense since WWE works with TNA. It is prime time for WWE to start laying the foundation for next year’s WrestleMania. I am hoping the plan is for them to have a little run with TNA just to allow for all WrestleMania plans to run their course to avoid having them on the WWE roster doing nothing.

TNA has a solid tag division, and The Righteous will help elevate it. For some strange reason, during their debut, the audience was chanting “Who are they?” despite Vincent having worked for the company a few years prior. It was obvious that the crowd is oblivious to everything other than WWE because, truthfully, they should have received a solid pop.

I personally would add former AEW talent Abadon into the mix as her character is beyond creepy. Imagine her crawling out onto the ramp, Vincent snapping his fingers and Dutch’s tongue flapping away while their music blasts through the arena. One thing I find about their theme is it feels like it came straight out of a Rob Zombie film, which makes it that much creepier (and I love Zombie’s films).

While Abadon doesn’t have the in-ring experience of the others, her character work is on a whole other level. TNA is a great landing spot to fine-tune her move set and really elevate her very real-feeling zombie character. Having Dutch and Vincent mentor her is the right choice because they know how to blend in-ring work with character work perfectly. Their gimmick feels as real as they come, and that, my friend, is true talent. Believability at its finest.

WWE Should Give TNA Unused Talent

As we all know, WWE carries a large roster while showcasing a select few. SmackDown is pretty much the same as Raw, meaning you can pretty much set up each week’s show on your own before they begin. The company has a knack for overusing a few while giving fresh talent a few quick minutes to try to shine. It lost its “must-see TV” feel a long time ago.

I think instead of having talent sit at home collecting a paycheck, why not send them over to TNA to keep them busy? This will give them a better chance to shine with more of a spotlight on them than waiting in the wings for that call that they are in for a push.

Send people like Otis, Nakamura, Tyler Bate, Ivy Nile, Michin, and tag teams like The Creed Brothers and Pretty Deadly to work with the TNA talent, especially with TNA’s AMC deal. It is a smart way to use talent who are just waiting for the chance to continue showing why WWE signed them, all the while giving a rub to the TNA talent they work with.

WWE loves doing those start-stop pushes, then wonders why the talent goes from being over to barely getting a reaction. The company shows who they believe in and who they don’t, and that forces the audience to give up on them. Why invest in someone who the company doesn’t view as being worthy?

Since it seems like WWE is going to sign talent from TNA who they view as “WWE worthy,” like Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry, why not give back? It looks like Leon Slater is next. Slater is on the card for Saturday Night’s Main Event: Cena’s Final Match, and if that doesn’t show you that WWE views him as the future, then maybe I shouldn’t be writing. He is a contracted TNA talent being featured on a show that will draw millions of fans worldwide. Mic drop.

There are so many wrestlers in WWE who could benefit from a run with TNA. If you know the history of the company, you know TNA has produced some incredible talent (HHH snagged a bunch back in the old NXT days), so it is not like it’s a demotion. TV time is TV time, and all the talent needs is exposure; then it’s up to them to get over. They just need an opportunity, and I think this is a great way for both companies involved.

Indie Stars Not on the WWE/AEW Radar

Why hasn’t WWE or AEW signed Jessie Godderz, Hammerstone, Dijak, Allie, or Kenny King? These stars need the right platform, and they’d shine tremendously.

Jessie Godderz had a decent run with TNA but wasn’t given the proper chance. His natural heel abilities make him a natural, much like The Miz, and his in-ring work is good. He is just missing that larger platform to really get himself over as a wrestler. He oozes WWE vibes, and it is mind-blowing he has never been signed. Maybe it is a “him” thing and working for WWE will hinder his Reality TV work. Maybe a WWE contract is a step backwards for him pay-wise. Either way, I’d love to know how this hasn’t happened.

Hammerstone has the look and the character nailed, yet WWE and AEW look the other way. I’d love to know why. I for sure thought after Hammerstone’s match in NXT and his TNA contract expiring he was a shoo-in for a contract, and yet here we are. I am not making MLW sound “less than” by any means; it is more of an “all the stars aligned” situation for him in WWE.

WWE could have easily taken one look at him and thought what everybody thinks when they see him: PEDs. He could be all natural—and I am not stating he takes roids—but I am saying what everybody thinks, and that is: how the heck does one become so jacked naturally? AEW might have passed because they have their own beasts like Powerhouse Hobbs and Wardlow, but Hammerstone could play a major role on any of the television shows the company has on. He is great in the ring and looks exactly how one would view a professional wrestler; he is just missing exposure to a larger audience.

Dijak—that one doesn’t sit right with me. Triple H saw what he does inside that ring, yet he hasn’t brought him back in. Some might think he is bland, but his work ethic wins over every audience. The guy is money; he just needs to be showcased like he is money. He would be a perfect fit in AEW. Dijak is so talented that he can put on classics with big muscly brutes or with luchadores and everyone in between. He is probably one of the most adaptable wrestlers out there who can go toe-to-toe with all styles and make it work. I am at a loss for words over the fact Dijak isn’t on a major platform wowing the world with his true abilities.

Allie (The Bunny) would be a great fit with WWE or even NXT. Her experience is off the charts, and her character work is incredible. I don’t see why WWE wouldn’t be interested in adding her to their team. She’s worked with a bevy of WWE talent, so the history and story are already there, and that alone sets her up for success right out of the gate. If the company uses her prior experience to their advantage and showcases it, she will get over with the audience relatively quickly. Use her history to their advantage and she will be a draw, guaranteed. She looks the part, acts the part, and overall is the part. Now we just need WWE to see that.

Kenny King not landing with WWE surprises me because he made it to the final four of the second season of WWE’s Tough Enough series. It seemed like he would fit in well with the company and what they were looking for. King has put together a resume that should draw the attention of not only WWE but also AEW, especially since King made a name for himself working for Ring of Honor, which is now owned by Tony Khan.

Between ROH and TNA, facing off against some of the best in the biz and making himself a well-known talent, he still hasn’t landed in one of the major two wrestling companies. Am I missing something here? He literally has the total package. Experience, charisma, a solid promo, and a great hand inside that ring—need I say more? MVP needs to get on that phone and bring him into the Hurt Syndicate fold. Remember the Beat Down Clan?

WWE needs Danhausen

This is one character that screams WWE appeal, and rumours have run that the company is very interested in this marketing machine. Danhausen created one of the most unique, appealing characters out there. The face paint, his mannerisms, the way he talks, and some of his trademark terms—added to the fact he can go inside that ring from bell to bell—are why this guy is over with the audience.

He has major fans of his work in WWE stars like CM Punk and Dwayne Johnson (who just so happens to be on the TKO Board of Directors). All he is missing is a machine like WWE to really get behind him because his character has the chance to make WWE a boatload of money.

Danhausen is so smart on the business side of things as well. He knows his worth and his talent, so he trademarked his name, his catchphrases, and even his face paint. He fully believes in the Danhausen character enough to go all-in on it. Danhausen took a chance on himself, and it has been working out majorly.

While WWE doesn’t like to acknowledge AEW, they do need to appreciate the fact that Danhausen also has the experience of wrestling in front of a camera for television. He knows he needs to be in certain positions at the right time with the right camera angle for the moves to look devastating. He has that overall ring awareness along with knowing where the camera is.

The thing with someone as talented as he is: WWE needs to allow him to be him and not a watered-down WWE version. He needs creative control but with just a sprinkle of WWE flair. They would land a money-printing machine. At the end of the day, wherever he lands, that company struck gold. I just think WWE is the best place for him largely because of the company being one of the biggest platforms out there. Danhausen needs to be seen by millions across the globe, hands down.

A New Bloodline in the Near Future

The Bloodline storyline is one of, if not the absolute best, stories wrestling has ever produced. It is now creating more sub-groups with different stories.

MFT (My Family Tree) is still part of the Bloodline-Anoa’i band. They consist of The Tongans (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga) and JC Mateo (who is of Filipino descent). They create an incredible dynamic.

Family ties have long been a part of not just wrestling but many jobs. In wrestling, we’ve seen many incredible generational wrestlers follow in the family footsteps and go on to have incredible careers. Over the past few years, there seems to be more of a spotlight on up-and-comers getting into the business. This is due not only to the success of their parents but how The Bloodline really highlighted the talent that flows through the veins of younger generations.

In the next few years, WWE can re-visit the Bloodline storyline with a new crop of talent. For me, that makes the future quite exciting. I would put together a faction who were destined for the wrestling business straight out of the womb, and I would put together a group of people who aren’t related by blood but relate through the business.

First, I would add Jeremiah & Joseph Chavis. I would then add The Texas Outlaws (Wyatt & Wayne Rhodes), Mark Billington, Harry Smith, Teal Piper, and Bronwyne Billington.

I know some might say “Who?” or “I know some of them,” so let me break it down a little bit.

• Jeremiah & Joseph Chavis: Their father is WWE Legend Tatanka, and they have been spending their time training down at the Dungeon 2.0 under Nattie and TJ Wilson—literally the best of the best to learn from. The duo, once trained up, will need to find a way to honor their father all the while carving their own path. This is extremely hard as the unfair prejudgement from the fans can be too much. Once they figure it out, I’d bring them in and start building this new group.
• The Texas Outlaws (Wyatt & Wayne Rhodes): Grandkids of the late, great legendary Dusty Rhodes and nephews to legend Dustin Rhodes and the biggest name in the biz today, Cody Rhodes. The team is paying homage to their grandpa’s team with Dick Murdoch. Trained at the Rhodes Academy under Dustin, the duo has already been putting in the work by gaining experience on the indie circuit and not expecting handouts. They are very throwback, which is different from today’s younger talent whose focus is more on the aerobatic side of things. I think this will make them stand out a bit more from the pack. Plus, they have already won titles, so it’s just the need for repetition inside the ring to grab HHH or HBK’s attention.
• Mark Billington: His brother Tommy is signed with AEW, and Mark has been gaining experience on the indie scene as well. He is well known for being in a tag team with his brother dubbed the Billington Bulldogs, as their late, great father was the Dynamite Kid. As we all know, Dynamite was highly influential on a lot of today’s wrestling stars and how they move inside that ring. Mark has been putting in the work, wrestling and building up his resume, and is now just in need of an opportunity to not only honor his father but create his own legacy.
• Harry Smith: I added Harry Smith to the mix for his overall experience. Harry was never given a true opportunity in WWE, which has been a shame. He is very diverse, wrestling literally all over the globe all the while being a throwback powerhouse wrestler. His knowledge and experience would make him the leader of the group and offer the chance to finally prove to WWE that they have made mistakes by letting him go. It is a great way to finally give Harry the run us fans know he so rightly deserves.
• Teal Piper: Her father is a name pretty much every non-wrestling fan knows, Rowdy Roddy Piper. She has been on the indie scene for a hot minute. She’s faced the who’s who of indie stars and just seems not to be on the radar of WWE or AEW for some strange reason. Most well-known factions never have any female stars wrestle. Teal could be the one to change that and, truthfully, is a great pick to carry that type of weight. She just needs the chance.
• Bronwyne Billington: Daughter of the late, great Dynamite Kid, she would make for a perfect valet/manager for the group. While juggling wrestling duties, she is also a content creator, so performing is not an issue. Her looks will draw you in alone, then her natural heel abilities will make you ticked off. She is a natural at her role as a manager, and that resonates with the audience. While the others in this group would win over the audience from inside the ring, Bronwyne will stomp on your soul, and you will love every second of it. She is the final touch needed to really glue the team together and solidify them as a must-see faction. That’s money right there.

Now, the chances of this happening—well, I have a better chance of winning the lottery, owning WWE, and doing this myself—are slim to none. It was still fun to get creative and think outside the box. It just would be nice to see WWE start something fresh, paying homage to those we lost while making a name for themselves and making a mark on the business, like their parents did.

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Well, that’s all for now. Time for a coffee and a snack before I check out Danhausen’s coffee brand, Rootless Coffee.

That’s all she wrote.

Nick Whitworth