The one wrestler heading the top of the list for most of the TNA scouts is Jason Wayne. Bruce Prichard and Eric Bischoff see a very bright future star in Jason Wayne. They love his background, size, mic skills, and cross over ability. TNA has already started retooling within OVW but they are keeping it very hush hush at the moment. For instance, there have been several developmental deals given but unlike WWE, they're not reported. So far the only name confirmed as being signed to a developmental deal is Jessie Godderz. With the deal with OVW and Mach 1 being enforced, TNA feels they're now in a position to create new stars for themselves after years of debate.
TNA recently made a small agreement with Pro Wrestling Noah about a possible talent exchange -- the first to go over will be Magnus in July. TNA is also talking to New Japan about maybe using King Fale who, like Okada last year, is on his international training excursion. The TNA developmental system goes as follows for the East Coast: basics taught at Team 3D Academy and grooming & further development in OVW. Over on the West Coast, there's Mach-1 (which is headed by Joey Ryan) and RCW (which is headed by Hernandez). So I suggest if you are interested in the next possible TNA stars to pay close attention to those areas.
A guy who should be on Impact very soon is Jessie Godderz. TNA has been very pleased with his progress thus far and impressed with his desire for the business. Many feel Godderz could become a big part of TNA's future as well as determine the overall success of the OVW relationship. From all reports, Godderz comes in and does everything that's asked of him, and he's constantly seeking advice to improve his skills. Team 3D really pushed him to his limits in the beginning and they were shocked that he didn't quit. Another name that could be in OVW soon who was rumored to be under a TNA deal is Idan Dagan from Israel. But back to Godderz; TNA is waiting for the right moment to debut him on television. Some people have asked if TNA is trying to make him into their own Miz. The short answer is NO! TNA is hoping Godderz can grow into a big star for them in the long term. Some have suggested pairing him with Robbie E while others have said to just keep him in a tag team with Rob Terry. Either way, the creative team is working hard to prepare for his eventual on-screen debut.
A number of former OVW/WWE alumni are hoping for a shot to be on Impact. When word got out that TNA had inked a deal with OVW, a number of former OVW stars contacted Danny Davis and Al Snow about returning to the promotion. With guys like Paul Burchill, Vic The Bruiser, Rob Conway and Jay Bradley, their presence alone has improved the training and in some ways benefited TNA even more. A rumored tag team that could show up in OVW is Chase Stevens and Christian York. TNA has considered using possible veteran makeshift teams to improve their tag team division.
To finish this off, check out this interview I did with OVW talent, Eric Wayne. Wayne is one-half of a tag team called "Premiere Brutality" with Killer Kid Nikels.
"My first involvement was riding to various places with my dad when he was wrestling. I eventually found a way to involve myself by being the "ring jacket kid" and taking the wrestlers robes, jackets, etc. from them. I later began to referee around the Mid-South, Illinois and Missouri when I was a teenager. I started training to wrestle at 19. I had my first match on November 9, 2006 and never looked back."
Who influenced you to start wrestling?
"My dad first and foremost. I listened to what he said till I could recite it in my sleep. Besides him, some of the guys he wrestled such as Derrick King were influences in that they gave me the opportunity to get in the ring in the first place. I was always a fan of smaller guys like Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit and Brian Pillman. You almost have to mention Shawn Michaels as well because he knew what he was doing no matter who was across the ring from him."
What legends helped along the way?
"Too many to name, honestly. "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton was the first "legend" I wrestled in a tag match with Brickhouse Brown as his partner. But I've had help from Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee, Jerry Lawler, Don Bass, Robert Gibson, Danny Davis, Dutch Mantell and others that I can't even recall now."
Was there a lot of pressure having a father who was a well respected star?
"Of course. I put a lot of pressure on myself because of it and a lot more was expected of me than I ever realized. I was just as inexperienced as some of the other guys and it showed on some occasions. I'm going on six years wrestling and I'm just now getting to the level I wanted to obtain a few years ago."
Tell us about your tag team partner, Killer Kid Nikels.
"When I first met him we worked at FedEx and he was still about 6'3" and 185 lbs. We started training together and are the only two of our class that made it to the graduation (1 hour) match. He's also one of the smartest guys I know and he's tough too. He has a lot of passion and dedication for this business that I wish other guys possessed. His dream from day one was to make it to WWE and he'll get there someday if he keeps up the work ethic he's displayed over the years. Nikels has come a LONG way since I met him six years ago!"
Do you have any background in sports?
"I played football for about six years when I was a fat kid that only wanted to play video games. I also wrestled for my high school wrestling team for two years. Other than that, my focus has been following in my father's footsteps and professional wrestling."
Which wrestler would you consider your dream match?
"I would've loved to wrestle Chris Benoit. He"ll always be one of my, if not my favorite wrestler. But since I won't have that chance...CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are two others that I've been watching since ROH and I would jump at the opportunity to wrestle them."
Did you join OVW in hopes of reaching Impact Wrestling?
"I joined OVW to improve my skills and wrestle new talent. The guys there want to improve and they work very hard at it. The opportunity came up to go there and I knew it would only make me a better wrestler. If I get the opportunity to go to Impact, then I'd most likely take it. It would only serve to improve me and their product."
Lastly, tell us what Eric Wayne brings to a TV wrestling product.
"The ability to create excitement. I can be quiet until the time comes to step up and then there's no stopping me. I've been on TV in some form for the last five years so I have the experience it takes to perform under that type of pressure. But when I step through the curtain, you're either going to hate me or love me, but no matter what happens you'll remember the name Eric Wayne and you'll pay to come back and see what I do next."
Thanks goes out to Eric Wayne for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this interview. God Bless TNAsylum and until next time, BE SAFE.
