Can We Share Talent?

Would an all-encompassing talent share pool help rejuvenate pro wrestling?

By Speed on the Beat (@SpeedontheBeat)

Back in the day of territories, even if, for instance, Roddy Piper (RIP) worked with NWA, he'd still end up in the AWA. Essentially, there was a bit of a talent share agreement. Upon the arrival of Black Sunday, however, the idea of the territory was almost just as quickly eliminated. There were exceptions, of course, but bt became more about consolidation to compete with the "big dogs." And, because of that, talents began becoming more and more exclusive. If you wanted to see Ric Flair, you had to watch WCW. If you wanted to see Shawn Michaels, you had to watch WWF. That practice of exclusivity continues today, even (to a lesser extent) among the independent promotions. It's partly because wrestlers are viewed as independent contractors (and appearing with another company is a conflict of interest).

However, should there be more of a talent share agreement among promotions? Now, I'm not saying John Cena go into CZW and engage in a death match while John Zandig comes out of retirement and wins the WWE United States Championship. Even though, that would be somewhat cool to see John "JEEZUSSSSSS" Zandig wrestling "WWE Style" to prove people who've associated him with just hardcore and "trash wrestling" wrong. To share talents like, for instance, ROH and NJPW do now and how WWF and ECW did in the 1990s, it'd allow for more people to see more talent. The idea of "oh, it's the same ol' wrestlers" could be rendered moot. Of course, there'd be the issue of what do you do if your roster's already bloated with people who aren't given shit to do (hi WWE and TNA). But, that could be remedied by moving the Zack Ryders to the developmentals or to another promotion in, again, a talent share.

It's an interesting concept that'd probably only ever come to fruition within a video game. But, it's something that could help further this new potentially golden era.

PS: The EOTR Family would like to send our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Rowdy Roddy Piper. Controversial at times, but legendary. One of the greatest talkers in history. We could go on for days trotting out admiration for him, but we'll say this: just when they think they've got all the answers, I change the questions. The perfect way to live and the perfect way to describe what Eyes on the Ring represents. Thanks, Hot Rod.