Welcome to the first of our roundtable discussions here at iFight365.com since making the move over from WWEPreview.com. This week we’re debating the question: If WWE could sign any three people from the American independent scene, international scene, or TNA, who should they sign?

James Mustoe: Up until recently I never would have thought that WWE would have CM Punk as a World Heavyweight Champion for a decent part of the year. That being said, WWE’s elevation of younger and those who are less than conventional to the traditional WWE ‘image’ recently, has led me to pick three wrestlers who perhaps wouldn’t normally be seen as good fits in Vince McMahon’s promotion…

From Pro Wrestling NOAH, one of the best matches I’ve seen this year was the headline attraction of Kobashi and Shiozaki against Misawa and Marifuiji. While the undoubted stars of the show and focal points of the match were Kobashi and Misawa, I don’t think these two veterans would get the level of respect and push that their career histories warrant if it came to being signed by the WWE.

Realistically both Kobashi and especially Misawa cannot cope with a full time schedule at present and although they are still able to have exciting matches in the right situations, they both are heading the way of Ric Flair, i.e. the legend who continues to wrestle to the best of his capabilities, which by itself gets respect from fans who are familiar with their career. Introducing Kobashi or Misawa at this stage in their careers who would be counter-productive, as they probably wouldn’t get over to the level to which they are accustomed as the majority of WWE fans would probably not know what to make of them.

Looking at the other participants in the match then, I would pick Go Shiozaki to go to the WWE, as since I first saw him at the Universal Uproar show in 2005, he has struck me as being a younger version of Kobashi (still one of the best in the world), and since then he has come on in leaps and bounds. Shiozaki has a tremendous upside and WWE could just be persuaded to drop their usual stereotypical Japanese characterisation, they could have a superstar on their hands; a ring technician who can get over just by his actions in the squared circle, as has been shown by his recent tour of ROH.

I don’t know if I’m being partisan, but I’d really like to see current ROH Champion Nigel McGuinness in the WWE. McGuinness certainly has the size to be a WWE heavyweight and is another performer who has come on exponentially over the last four years. In my eyes Mcguinness has much more potential and is a better fit in the WWE than fellow Brit Paul Birchill, and so there is every chance he could get in if both sides wanted him to be there.

McGuinness could be utilised as a British badass character, similar to the work that William Regal did last year. On that note they could even run an angle with Nigel and Regal, either as a tag team or as rivals, and it would be levels above the Birchill/Regal pairing. McGuinness has also shown top notch interview ability during his recent heel run in and last year was equally over as both a heel and a face on a top level in ROH. Basically McGuinness in WWE would be a win-win proposition and at the very least it would give WWE fans another British guy to cheer for after a disappointing year to say the least for mainstay Regal.

Finally I would look to TNA and instead of looking at relatively broken down main eventers such as Kurt Angle, Sting and Kevin Nash, I would want to take a chance on a mid carder who so far hasn’t been given a chance to show what he can do in a singles environment. From these criteria I would choose one half of the LAX, Hernandez.

Hernandez is an absolute monster in the ring and from what I’ve seen he has everything that WWE looks for in a potential heavyweight star. While he has not been given a chance to do interviews as such, I would either give him a chance with a pre-taped promo (I have never heard him talk), or at the very least bring in a manager to talk for him. With the build and power that he has exhibited in TNA, Hernandez could easily be the next Latino breakout superstar as a fresh face in WWE, and for those who say he is still too green, I would just say that improvement comes with experience, and if WWE were to sign him and push him as a singles wrestler, who could easily improve to the level of at least upper mid card within a very short space of time.

Michael Campbell: Naomichi Marufuji, The Briscoe Brothers, and Samoa Joe.

Samoa Joe - The complete package?

Joe is a no-brainer. The guy is one of the most exciting performers in the business now and has been for the past five years.

In terms of in-ring skills, he’s the complete package. He has the ability to work long, methodical matches, but also to condense his skills into a TV friendly reel. Additionally, he can cope with versatile match types, as I’ve seen him over the years compete in every conceivable environment.

He has bundles of live PPV experience and also knows how to cut a promo. While not the greatest in this area, he’s got a natural grip of his character and when booked to cut direct, intense promos, seriously delivers.

Plus, in an era when MMA is fast eclipsing wrestling as a concept that has grabbed the public’s imagination, Joe is one of the few that has crossover legitimacy that could appeal to both fanbases.

Although a couple of years ago, Joe could have went to the WWE and would have wound up doing an Umaga (which would have crippled him – some guys are great with gimmicks, but not everyone!), I believe he would be huge in the company, if promoted as himself.

In TNA, the only thing holding him back is the incredibly poor booking he’s endured since becoming World Champion.

I’m cheating a little with this one, as I’m counting the Briscoes as one…but what the hell!

Jay and Mark Briscoe have been one of the most exhilarating tandems in the business since they returned to action in early 2006. They’ve been one of a whole bunch of talents that have transformed and advanced tag wrestling in the American Indy scene; a trend that has carried over in TNA and to a very, very minor degree, the WWE.

Given an opportunity to showcase their talents, they could be one of the duos that could really instil some newfound prestige and interest in the dying tag ranks in Stamford. They’re also legit characters, who are individual enough to stand without being limited by gimmicks. Their redneck, beer-swilling makes them a natural, real act to compensate for the loss of such gimmicks as similar stars have moved on.

But in the ring, these guys really are something else.

Naomichi Marufuji is a simply phenomenal performer.

In Pro Wrestling NOAH, he was the first Junior Heavyweight to capture the GHC World Heavyweight title, which was an enormous accomplishment. Perception of guys his size is different in Japan from even the size-obsessed WWE, because the talent is even more harshly segregated – but treated with respect – rather than indifference by the fans. They’re promoted as draws and legitimate headliners, but rarely do the two divisions mix.

Marufuji and Marufuji alone has crossed the threshold in NOAH. Aside from his achievements, he’s simply a wonderful performer and has spent much of the past year helping carry ageing legends to top class matches. He’s more versatile and important than often given credit for. In fact, for many years, I felt that he was unjustly ignored in favour of popular tag partner, KENTA, who seemed more so to capture public awareness, especially overseas.

But this changed over time, as Marufuji has done nothing but improve. In the WWE, he could prove to be one of those rare Japanese imports for whom language and presentation are not a problem, as he has a natural connection with the fans.

Of course, all three of my choices rely on good booking and creative direction and all three I can imagine, would cause difficulties. They’re not in the WWE mould and it’s likely that Vinnie Mac would have Joe on treadmill, the Briscoes in bow-ties, and Marufuji serving tea to Mike Adamle…

Steve McLaren: My first choice will probably be a very common one – Bryan Danielson. I firmly believe he is one of, if not the very best wrestler in the world right now. With the people he knows in WWE (Shawn Michaels and William Regal for starters), I’m surprised he hasn’t been signed already. Maybe there has been a deal offered to Danielson and he turned it down?

I’d also sign Larry Sweeney. Sweeney is a trick of many trades. Not only is he a great manager, but he is a decent wrestler and can be a good commentator. He also has really awesome hair.

Finally I’d re-sign Christian, and I’d probably do that just to spite TNA.

Martin Smith: I think I’ll keep this as realistic as I possibly can. Of course, it would be easy for me to sit here and rifle off each of TNA’s main event guys. Yes, Kurt Angle, Sting, Samoa Joe and such could do a great job in the world of McMahon – but it is never going to happen.

So, I thought I’d look at guys who I would look to hire if I was in McMahon’s position.

Bryan Danielson - Would he be a success in the WWE?

First off, I think WWE seriously need to look at a guy like Bryan Danielson. This guy has all the ability to make it big in the WWE midcard division.

He’s an old-school wrestler and a guy who has the ability to go far. I’ve said it in the past, but this guy reminds me of Dean Malenko. He doesn’t necessarily need a gimmick and he can be a fantastic worker. This guy has to be hired. If you believe the rumours, a contract has been on the table for years, so why hasn’t this guy accepted?

A feud with someone on Raw like John Cena would be gold.

Secondly, I’d have to go with Roderick Strong. Similar reasons to Danielson really. If you’re looking for pure wrestling at its best, then this guy can deliver.

He’d probably fit well in a stable and a mouthpiece would benefit him greatly. However, given a push on ECW, I honestly think this guy could be huge.

Final one is Robert Roode. Obviously, he’s a tough one to sign, but if the chance to snap up Roode is out there, then WWE shouldn’t hesitate.

The modern day Mr Perfect is a great comparison. Given the right push and gimmick, then he could be bigger than Hennig. Two years ago, this guy was on fire. Stupid pairing with Storm and feud with Booker T has ruined that but the potential is there – and it’s huge. Throw him on RAW and watch him go.

Mark Bright: My first choice in regard to this question required no thought at all, and it’s Ring Of Honor’s Bryan Danielson. I don’t see what else he can do in that company. He’s played the technical guy. He’s played the vicious guy. He’s played the cocky heel champion. He’s played the walking tall babyface. He’s done everything to do there and has shown that whether he’s in a serious main event or a comedy match in the middle of the card he can get his storyline over during the match – something that would stand him in good stead in the WWE.

His passion on babyface promos and cockiness on heel promos I think might surprise those who don’t watch him and just know his reputation as being “the ROH guy who people on the internet call the best wrestler in the world.” And since the death of Chris Benoit, the WWE don’t have that intense guy who can go out on TV every week and put on good matches with anybody. Being trained by Shawn Michaels means he has an “in” and the thing about Danielson that people overlook but is an important factor in gaining success in the WWE is that he carries himself like a star.

In ROH his star shines so brightly that when he does jobs to nobodies who don’t have a prayer of being able to carry that company like Kevin Steen, Claudio Castagnoli and Erik Stevens, you almost think ROH are demeaning him and his standing in the company because they know he’s destined for bigger things. Now, I’m not saying he’ll be World Champion in WWE within a year, but I think if you put him on TV and give him the opportunity he’ll get over.

My second choice would be Christian Cage. I know he’s been in the WWE before and left because he wanted the chance to be seen as a top star, but after some time in TNA where he maybe didn’t live up to his own expectations and he might see the opportunity to go back to the big leagues as too good to pass up.

He had proven when he was in the WWE before that he’d always get his angles over, he can deliver in the ring working the style that the WWE wants, and if they are stacked up with heavy serious angles on a show, he can do comedy as well. And he has an in with Edge having established himself as a top level guy now and an alliance with or a feud against his real-life friend and storyline brother would seem like a logical way to get him back in the fold.

He has a history with a lot of other big names in the WWE such as Matt and Jeff Hardy, John Cena and Chris Jericho, with the potential for fresh matchups with all the new members of the roster that have appeared in the last few years such as CM Punk and Evan Bourne.

And, as comedy midcard feuds have always been his strongest suit, if Christian were to come back to the WWE and not do anything with Santino Marella or The Miz (who is basically the closest thing in WWE right now to Christian’s character in the early 2000s) then that would be a total waste.

AJ Styles - A huge asset to WWE in the future?

My third choice would be AJ Styles from TNA.

Not only because I’d be taking a marquee name away from my competition, but because if you’d be willing to ignore the bullshit that will bound to come up backstage about him not being able to work or being a guy who made his name on the indies rather than being related to an old wrestler, he could be a huge asset.

Besides being a spectacular athlete, the crowd connects to him, and he can do a variety of roles from comedy midcard heel to cocky overmatched heel to fighting underdog babyface against heavyweights to star of the division against lightweight guys.

A feud with Evan Bourne on ECW where they just go out there and tear shit up every week could be the Hardyz v. Edge and Christian for the modern generation. Their in-ring work would instantly stand out and have people take notice, especially in comparison to the punch-kick style that the majority of guys work.

But AJ has shown, especially in matches with the likes of Abyss, that he can keep things simple too and work story-based matches just as well as he can work move-based matches.

Phil Lowe: Christian Cage tops the list for me by far. He’s not as technically gifted as somebody such as Bryan Danielson, but in terms of people outside of WWE who have the ability to become a money-making machine I don’t think there’s anybody more deserving.

We all know the reasons Christian had for leaving WWE and joining TNA. But while at the time some in WWE weren’t impressed by his decision, I don’t think it would count against him now we’re a few years down the line – especially if Vinny Mac sees money to be made.

There’s history with the likes of Cena and Jericho, plus there’s a ready-made return by having Christian re-align himself with Edge on Smackdown. If he was to re-sign with WWE today, he’d be main-eventing inside a year. In fact he could straight away. But if WWE were to put their long-term booking hats on (for a change), they could easily slot Christian in alongside Edge, use him in the upper-midcard until WrestleMania XXV is out the way and then use him as a main event guy for the second half of 2009 and beyond.

My second pick would be AJ Styles. Styles is a guy who for some reason I never “got” until a year or two ago. Both Styles and Christopher Daniels were seen by the vast majority of internet fans as two of the hottest guys on the indy scene for a number of years. With regards to Daniels, I still don’t get that (and that’s largely I think down to my dislike for the ‘Fallen Angel’ gimmick) but with Styles, he’s really grown on me.

I can’t put a finger on why I never rated Styles as highly as some. Perhaps its the fact that he’s gradually been given a chance in TNA to become a star with a character rather than “just” being a decent wrestler. But for me right now, if I was hiring for WWE, I’d have Styles signed up on a long-term deal right away and put on the ECW brand until next year’s draft with a view to making him a major player over the next couple of years.

My third and final pick would be Robert Roode. There’s a bunch of guys who for various reasons I could have picked here. Danielson, Joe, Hernandez, Giant Bernard (yes, the former A-Train), a number of Japanese and Mexican wrestlers and more. And in terms of non-wrestlers I think there’s a great case for WWE bringing in James Michell. But I’ve always seen Roode as a potential main-eventer for TNA and just can’t understand why TNA would prefer to throw a ton of money at somebody like Sting or Kevin Nash rather than elevate this guy.

If TNA were doing six-figure buyrates each month, I could understand why the likes of Nash continue to make good money. But buyrates aren’t impressive and the likes of Nash (who I actually admire for continuing to make a healthy living for doing next to nothing) will never help TNA improve as a whole. Roode should have been used so much better in TNA ever since the Traci Brooks stuff ended.

And although WWE have a tendancy to not push guys who they haven’t created themselves, I’d love to think they could make an exception to the rule with this guy.