Wrestling fans are buzzing with speculation as influential figures within the industry tease moves to WWE. One standout is former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace, who stirred excitement after posting on social media with the caption, "29 days." Fans rapidly speculated this could indicate the countdown to her WWE debut.
Grace has made her presence felt within WWE previously. She made a surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble and later challenged Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship. Despite losing the match at Battleground, Grace kept fans engaged through her conflicts and engagements on NXT programming, including issuing challenges and responding to others like Sol Ruca and participating prominently at events.
While Grace's star continues to rise, questions surrounding her contract remain. During an appearance on Gigantic Pop, she clarified, “I am under contract until January of this upcoming year. It’s coming up.” This ends speculation about her future as many fans wonder if she is headed to WWE or whether she'll find another avenue upon her contract's expiration.
Meanwhile, Bron Breakker emerges as another notable discussion point. Since debuting in NXT, the young wrestler has displayed not just athletic prowess but also the potential to claw his way to the top. Breakker is the son of wrestling legend Rick Steiner and has shown the characteristic drive of his family lineage, gaining attention as he follows his father's path. Recently, during the college football bowl season, his father, Scott Steiner, discussed the possibility of his son Brock Rechsteiner following suit within wrestling, stating, "Yeah, that's the plan. That’s what he wants to do, so, whatever makes him happy.”
Raj Dhesi, also known as Jinder Mahal, provided reflections on his WWE Championship win against Randy Orton at Backlash 2017, describing the moment as surreal. "Every money in my life flashed before my eyes and then, boom, all of a sudden I have the championship. It was a great feeling... It's something [the championship] stays with me for the rest of my life," Dhesi shared. After his release from WWE, he remains open to future opportunities, highlighting the importance of timing and fit.
Timing is key, as the industry has seen talented wrestlers join too late and miss their shot for stardom. For example, Sting, who joined WWE years after making his name with WCW, felt wary about how he would be treated within the company. His hesitance proved justified, as he didn’t enjoy the run fans hoped for. Similarly, Mike Awesome's time with WCW undermined his potential when he signed there post-ECW success, contrasted with his stellar performance before. Even though he was received well at times, his character depictions fell flat, limiting his push within the promotion.
Other stars faced similar obstacles. Take Hideo Itami, formerly known as KENTA. Hailed for his prior success across Japan and the U.S., he fell short when signed to WWE due to injuries and missed opportunities. KENTA could have easily become one of WWE's premier Japanese stars, akin to Shinsuke Nakamura or back when the company showcased other international performers. Instead, he struggled to break out of the mid-card, as newer names gained momentum around him.
Sabu, regarded as one of the most innovative talents during his ECW tenure, also fell victim to circumstances. He was signed by WWE, yet didn't achieve the top-tier push fans expected due to both age and injuries, which hampered his previously impressive abilities.
Even Ultimo Dragon faced hurdles upon his arrival to WWE, having missed his peak and being viewed as less relevant compared to contemporaries like Rey Mysterio. The timing of his signing was misaligned, and WWE’s subsequent handling did not help him regain his spotlight.
On the lighter side of the industry, Charles Wright, affectionately known as The Godfather, recently reflected on scripts for his potential ring return, which fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his podcast, he noted the canceled plans for his return to WrestleMania 36. Wright had hoped to surprise fans with repeated appearances under different personas, relating how he was still grateful to potentially resurface someday, stating, "It was hard because they’re so PG and, when they see me, the audience wants to yell, 'Where's the Hoes?'"
The wrestling industry fame and legacies highlight the intense dynamics between timing and opportunity. Recognizing the trials faced by many wrestlers underway reminds fans just how precarious the road to success can be. While not every career lands where it ideally should, aspirational figures like Grace, Breakker, and Dhesi shine through the uncertainties, keeping wrestling alive with their ever-looming presence.
