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Wrestling Observer Exclusive:
WWE Signs Four Developmental Talents
Fueled by rumors that WWE intends on utilizing its Florida Championship Wrestling territory as a revolving-door minor league system for new talent and promoting participants on WWE NXT television program to the main roster, we can now confirm that WWE has bolstered its developmental roster by signing four workers to contracts.
The most noteworthy signings are Jay and Mark Pugh, better known as Jay and Mark Briscoe, from Ring of Honor. The Briscoe Brothers were given tryout matches last November prior to a SmackDown taping, in addition to tryout matches in Florida Championship Wrestling. It's been said that WWE is trying to find ways to improve the floundering tag team division, so signing an experienced team with two versatile workers makes sense. It remains to be seen whether or not they retain the Briscoe name, with Wes Brisco, son of WWE agent and Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco currently employed.
Another former Ring of Honor employee, Kenny Layne, formerly known as Kenny King, has also been inked to a contract. Layne had fallen victim to Ring of Honor budget cuts in early June and has since been competing for various independent promotions since. WWE feels that Layne has the charisma to succeed on the roster, and will report to FCW to further hone his in-ring skills. This will be a homecoming of sorts for Layne, who was a participant on 2nd season of Tough Enough (which was eventually won by Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda).
The final signing is 28-year old Canadian wrestler J-Busta. From Montreal, J-Busta has spent the majority of his career competing as a territorial worker throughout the Northeastern United States. Clearly, scouts saw something in him, as he has been brought on board.
All four men should be starting up with FCW before the end of the month. It remains to be seen how long it will take any of them to appear on WWE television.
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