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| Sayonara, A-Double? |
If you scoured around the dirtsheets, C&P sites or not, you know Austin Aries was passed up for a shot to be on WWE's reincarnation of Tough Enough. He confirmed that on his Facebook and dropped the bombshell that he's reconsidering his career path as a wrestler and may not continue. He hasn't confirmed anything, but the fact that he's even considering leaving the wrestling business legitimately bums me out. Given that he's one of my favorites, this shouldn't surprise you. I mean, I understand his motivations; he's done all there is to do in the indies, and now, like anyone who wants to sign with WWE, he wants the financial compensation for it.
Honestly, unlike other head-up-their-ass hipster-type fans, him going to WWE wouldn't be selling out to me. In fact, I want my favorites to get paid cash money and to get the exposure. Aries should get his money, just like Danielson is getting, just like Bourne is getting, just like Punk is getting. It's not like he's a slug, either. He's one of the most gifted all-around performers in the game today, and the fact that he had to try out for TE to get noticed by WWE is ludicrous. The guy should be in Smackdown's main event... but ooh, I forgot he's too short. Fuck that.
Furthermore, I'm not really even sure what he'd do on TE. He's a multiple year veteran of the business, has been in TNA, has headlined ROH and PWG cards and has a better grasp than mostly anyone on the indie scene and even more than some in WWE about how to be a well-rounded WWE "superstar". TE is for guys who don't have the seasoning. For example, Soldier Ant from Chikara was trying to get on TE. The show is for guys like him. It's for Rima Fakih, the former Miss USA who's been the only one confirmed for the show so far. It's NOT for Austin Aries.
So now, here we are, with a guy as talented as Aries ready to leave the wrestling business because he can't get bookings that will get him the financial security he needs to continue. It sucks, it absolutely sucks. The selfish fan in me hopes he reconsiders, but if he doesn't, I don't think I can in good conscience blame him if he does go.
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein - Please visit his site to view the plentiful amounts of pictures he's taken for DGUSA, ROH and other indie feds: Get Lost Photography
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Sadly im not suprised John Laurinaitis who is in charge of WWE talent signing is a moron he thinks wrestlers are body builders and underwear models. He has no idea what a valid talent is anymore some of the best guys in pro wrestling history designed and perfected their craft in the territories and thats what the indies is now. Austin Aries could come on WWE TV and be one of their best talks and in ring performers instantly im not trying to hate on these guys but double A has more charisma in his pinky finger then both Jack Swagger and Kofi Kingston combined.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that someone this talented cant work in the business.
K.B
The business really needs a big money alternative to the WWE. Obviously TNA isn't it, and I'm still surprised that no one else has tried since the death of WCW - the WWE proves that there's money to be made in pro wrestling, even if business is down right now.
ReplyDeleteSomeone just needs to get brave and give ROH a TV deal. They did a great job, far better than TNA, in the last few years. Hello, Spike? :p
ReplyDeleteI'm confused as to why Austin was trying out for Tough Enough in the first place. It's meant to be for people with little or no experience, right? Doesn't make much sense. It's probably part of the "nobody under 30" rule in developmental that got him here.
ReplyDeleteIt's really unfortunate that one of the best guys on the indies is being denied the opportunity to make it big, especially Aries, who has everything the WWE is looking for except, of course, the size.
It's such a shame that the best wrestlers in the world are the ones who get paid the least. I hope that whatever decision Aries makes is the right one for him.