[WNS Column] The Hydden View: Why EC3 Cannot Be Ignored

Let’s take a ride back in time, back to 2010. That’s when the fourth season of NXT premiered. This was back when they would pair a rookie with a pro and eventually a winner would be crowned. The season four rookie class was made up of Jacob Novak, Conor O’Brian, Byron Saxton, Derrick Bateman, Brodus Clay, and Johnny Curtis. Of the six wrestlers three are still with WWE. Johnny Curtis is now wrestling as Fandango. Byron Saxton is announcing for the revamped NXT product. Conor O’Brian is now known as Konnor, and wrestles as part of the tag team Ascention. Jacob Novak is no longer with WWE; to be honest I am not sure if he is still wrestling. The last two Derrick Bateman and Brodus clay are both now with TNA. Brodus is wrestling as Tyrus. Bateman is known as Ethan Carter III or EC3.

A big knock on TNA is they take the guys WWE no longer wants. This could be supported, but I believe they take what is the best of the best that is available. Look at this list, Ken Anderson, MVP, Kurt Angle, The Dudley’s, Brodus Clay, The Hardy’s, and many more have all gone thru or are still in TNA. Every single one of these wrestlers got some sort of big push in WWE, or for some they were huge stars in WWE, there time with the company was up so TNA scooped them up. One wrestler that doesn’t fit this mold is EC3. EC3 as Derrick Bateman never got a big push, being released from WWE in 2013.

EC3 could have easily stayed away from the stigma of TNA, as just another WWE guy, but he wasn’t really viewed that way. Many fans didn’t even realize he had wrestled as Derrick Bateman in WWE. He was quickly paired with Dixie Carter as a top heel. He was thrust into feuds with James Storm, Sting, Bubba Ray, and Kurt Angle, the top guys in TNA. Not only has he held his own in the ring he has impressed with his in ring performance. His skills on the microphone have also impressed, I believe he has better overall skills than any other wrestler in his NXT class.

WWE very seldom gets it wrong with talent, but did they get it wrong with EC3? I believe they did, he is a top talent in TNA and viewed by some as the future of the company. His feuds are always featured on TNA programming, and his matches are always some of the best on the show. I personally feel some day you will see EC3 back in WWE, I think even the powers that be in WWE will want to fix this mistake. EC3 has persevered thru all the downs to build himself back up. This young talent will not be denied his rightful place among the top wrestlers in the business.