The Hydden View: Does Vince McMahon have his eye on Lucha Underground?

Now I know what you’re thinking what a stupid question? Because most of you are thinking I’m talking about ratings and I’m not. I believe right now there is no one that can even come close to approaching WWE in ratings. No I’m talking about talent.

From day one of becoming owner of the then WWF Vince has pillaged other Organizations of their talent. Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Bret hart, HHH, and The Undertaker just five of the biggest stars to ever enter the squared circle were all part of a different company when they signed with WWE. Now not every wrestler Vince has signed from another company has been a huge star when they signed, but Vince has an eye for talent. Mean Mark Calloway became the Undertaker, OZ became Diesel, the Diamond Studd became Razor Ramon, and HHH was once known as Jean-Paul Levesque. But, before he was raiding talent of WCW in the 90’s he had an eye for AWA talent. First were Hulk Hogan, Gene Okerlund, Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, and Ken Patera. Then a few years later came Shawn Michaels, Marty Janetty, Curt Hennig, Rick Martel and many more, the raid of talent eventually closed the doors on Vern Gagnes historic promotion.

AWA, ECW, WCW, ROH, and TNA have all lost talent to WWE at some point and time. In the late 90’s Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero and Perry Saturn all left WCW. Three of the four becoming world champions, Malenko held the Light Heavyweight Championship twice, and Saturn held the European Championship and the Hardcore Championship. Cm Punk and Daniel Bryan both Ring of Honor World Champions before heading for WWE. I know there are hundreds of wrestlers I haven’t named, because that is not what this is about. So back to the original question, is Vince watching Lucha Underground?

Well part of me wonders how he can’t be. The talents they are displaying on TV are extraordinary. But we all know it takes more than in ring ability to make it in the WWE. There are three points of interest I think Vince could have in Lucha Underground, those interest are the Mexican Luchadores, Prince Puma, and Johnny Mundo.

Luchadores such as Drago, Fenix, Pentagon Jr. and King Cuerno have been entertaining and they have plenty of in ring ability. I think two things may hold WWE back from signing such stars, the language barrier some have, and the Sin Cara catastrophe. I think before signing another masked superstar they will see how Kalisto works out then move forward.

Now to Prince Puma, who many fans know as Ricochet. He has impressed in the ring every time he has gotten the chance. WWE gave Ricochet a try out not to long ago but didn’t sign him; I guess part of the question would be why? I will never question WWE, they make millions so they know what they are doing. I do feel Ricochet is still on their radar and at some point he will grabbed from Lucha Underground.

This leads me to Johnny Mundo or as many WWE fans know him, John Morrison. He is perhaps the biggest star they have as of right now. The question here is would he ever go back to WWE? Or, would WWE ever want him back? I do not know there relationship, but truth is he still has many great years left in the ring. It’s not like WWE wouldn’t sign someone that left the company before. Curt Hennig and Hulk Hogan were just two starts that were welcomed home again. I feel it is very possible Vince has an eye out west watching what’s going on.

In closing I ask you the reader’s two questions for discussion. The first, who is the greatest WCW Wrestler to be signed by WWE? Let’s exclude Ric Flair and Sting from the answers both were legends before signing. And who in your opinion is the greatest to remain unsigned?