If we limit the discussion to guys whom the WWE should sign to a long-term contract, there are really only two men on the entire TNA roster that I would consider. The first is Chris Sabin. The erstwhile Motor City Machine Gun is younger than I would have thought – only 31. Sabin is innovative, and he has a fantastic understanding of ring psychology that allows him to connect well with the fans despite middling microphone skills. He did have a recent knee surgery, but he doesn’t appear to have lost a step since his return. If the WWE isn’t sold on him as a solo performer, then they could even reunite him with his former partner Alex Shelley (currently with New Japan Pro Wrestling) to instantly become the top face tag team in the organization.
The other guy might be a bit of a surprise. Magnus doesn’t have the name recognition of some of the guys we’ve mentioned in this article, but he has something the other guys don’t: a potential upside. Magnus is only 26 years old, but he already has more than 4 years of experience on television. He apprenticed as a tag team partner with Doug Williams and Desmond Wolfe, two of the most underappreciated wrestlers of our generation – you can see both of their influences in Magnus’ mannerisms and expressions in the ring. He has a great body, and he executes his (admittedly limited) moveset quite efficiently. If the WWE invested a bit in Magnus, including a brief stint in NXT to expand his mic skills and his repertoire of moves, I can see him as the sort of piece that the WWE can slide into its midcard for the next decade.
