PWTorch: Kota Ibushi and Gran Metalik agree to deals with the WWE

[trick]

From PWTorch Report - Ibushi & Metalik agree to deals with WWE, several other Cruiserweight tourney stars on WWE's radar -

As A.J. Styles would say, Kota Ibushi “bet on himself” leaving his home country of Japan for an opportunity with WWE.

Ibushi exited New Japan for a chance to join WWE’s inaugural Cruiserweight tournament, and now has signed an NXT-level deal, PWTorch learned Friday.

Ibushi wrestled at Thursday night’s NXT TV tapings to signal an increase in his involvement with WWE beyond the Cruiserweight tournament.

PWTorch also learned that Gran Metalik (Mascara Dorada in Mexico) has agreed to a deal with WWE following his successful debut in the Cruiserweight tournament.

Metalik (Dorada) has been a mainstay in CMLL for a decade and toured with New Japan in recent years. Metalik’s relationship with Finn Balor (formerly Prince Devitt in NJPW) brought Metalik to WWE.

– WWE also has several tournament wrestlers on their radar for potential signings.

Included are Zack Sabre, Jr., Cedric Alexander, Lince Dorado, Akira Tozawa, and Jack Gallagher.

The signing process will likely take months and they would all finish their indie dates and/or other commitments before reporting to WWE’s Performance Center if the deals go through.

The overseas signings are especially complex and could take longer than the wrestlers that reside in the U.S.

 

[3Rivers]

Nakamura vs Ibushi pt III

 

[Lo-Co]

 

[Berniewood Hogan]

IBUSHI IS THAT DUDE, BROTHER!

 

[TheWhackMamba]

fukkkkkk all these people that only watch WWE programming bout to eat something crazy

 

[The Girl From Innsmouth]

This tournament needs sassy blonde Ibushi, though.

 

[Silkk]

Guess that institute thing aint work out too well

 

[Finn Baller]

Ho Ho Lun bout to take over for the 99 and the 2000

 

[MightyHealthy]

I knew it

 

[TheGodling]

They need to sign that Alejandro Saez dude ASAP as well. Needs some training on his selling/expressions but then he'll be pure gold.

 

[DoubleJ13]

Don't think Ibushi is a full time long term thing. They might have worked out something to have him show up for Takeovers or something but Ibushi seems like to much of a weird dude to be in WWE full time.

 

[PlayerNinety_Nine]

Did they sign the sex doll, too?

I'm guessing this telegraphs the end of the CWC

 

[The Girl From Innsmouth]

I'm guessing this telegraphs the end of the CWC

Zack Sabre Jr.'s still in the mix, though.

 

[PlayerNinety_Nine]

Zack Sabre Jr.'s still in the mix, though.

I guess he's finishing indie dates - I had ZSJ or Kota winning it all anyway, so it's not a massive surprise

 

[Mr. Negative]

Don't think Ibushi is a full time long term thing. They might have worked out something to have him show up for Takeovers or something but Ibushi seems like to much of a weird dude to be in WWE full time.

what do you mean "weird"?

you mean the expression he seems to have all the time?