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[Kaladin]

The sports-entertainment world has been buzzing this week with speculation that WWE has signed four massive international Superstars.

Numerous media outlets reported Monday that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke “Doc” Gallows — most recently of New Japan Pro Wrestling — are in negotiations to compete under the WWE banner.

The office of WWE COO and EVP of Talent Relations, Triple H, declined to comment on the rumors for WWE.com.

Reports began circulating late Sunday that all four had reportedly given their notices to New Japan management. Fueling the rumors that Styles, Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows were WWE-bound was a series of tweets involving reigning NXT Champion Finn Bálor.

Until recently, Styles, Gallows and Anderson were all part of New Japan’s Bullet Club faction, a stable formerly led by Bálor when he wrestled in Japan under the alias Prince Devitt. For months, Bálor has made it clear that he’s still tight with the Bullet Club members, even tweeting photos of them wearing his “Bálor Club” T-Shirts. On Monday, Bálor stirred the pot again, tweeting an image of Anderson sporting trunks that bore Finn’s “demon” design. Additionally, the official Twitter account for the Bullet Club tweeted the NXT Champion Monday, telling him to keep more Bálor Club shirts on hand in case they need them. That tweet has since been deleted.

The addition of Styles, Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows would represent one of the most significant bulk talent acquisitions in WWE history.

Nicknamed “The Phenomenal One,” Styles twice held New Japan’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the organization’s top title. He competed on the national scene in the United States for well over a decade, dating back to the latter days of WCW, and is universally hailed for his multi-tooled attack in the ring.

Though not a member of the Bullet Club, Nakamura remains one of the most popular wrestlers outside of WWE. Displaying a flamboyant charisma comparable to Freddie Mercury, but possessing the brutal strikes of an elite fighter, Nakamura roomed with Daniel Bryan years ago in California when both were early into their sports-entertainment careers. During media tours for last year’s WrestleMania, Bryan even revealed he once proposed an inter-promotional match against Nakamura to WWE management.

Gallows and Anderson, meanwhile, co-held New Japan’s tag team titles on three occasions. Additionally, Gallows competed in WWE from 2007 to 2010, while Anderson is a former tag team partner of WWE Performance Center Head Coach Matt Bloom.

Stick with WWE.com for more updates on this developing story as they become available.

This has been the hot rumor in wrestling this week and I think this all but confirms it's happening.

Business is picking up.

link

 

[DCX]

Maybe it's time to jump in!

DCX

 

[DMczaf]

Swagsuke!!!!!

King of Stronk Style!

 

[BronsonLee]

Why the fuck would they want Gallows back

...is clearly what I took from this

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

 

[Net_Wrecker]

RIP all of these guys careers, hope they get paid well, see you back in NJPW in 5 years.

 

[kirblar]

Glad that they didn't try to pretend the news hadn't leaked out.

 

[norm9]

They look like a good stable to debut at Royal Rumble to a big ovation and then get thrown over the top rope singlehandedly by John Cena.

 

[bigkrev]

I'm happy AJ will be making real money as he winds up his career

I'm happy that Karl Anderson is finally getting a chance to have a real career in America

I'm happy that Doc Gallows is getting another chance in WWE, where he was a pretty good wrestler, but kinda just went nowhere after the Straight Edge Society fell apart

I'm NOT happy that WWE is robbing me of the end of Nakamura's great years. It's not a case of "will they fuck him up?", it's a case of "Oh god, I hope he isn't turned into Jimmy Wang Yang".

 

[sketchsanchez]

Is Nakamura the guy that pits a guy in an abdominable stretch and then plays air guitar with the dudes body? Cuz if so that dude is charismatic as fuck

 

[Kurt Angle]

aj styles is 9 years too late

TNA already won

 

[ChosenPredator]

I feel like they'd come in as a faction with balor included

 

[darkside31337]

So excited for Nakamura. Even the WWE can't fuck that up.

 

[Ric Flair]

AJ Styles is superstar material if they don't fuck with his character at all. Just let the guy do his thing. Keep Vince and the RAW writers far away.

 

[Acorn]

Hilarious that HHH refused to comment to his own companies site. Authorising the posting is commenting on it.

 

[norm9]

So excited for Nakamura. Even the WWE can't fuck that up.

Sounds like a challenge for the chairman.

 

[Entropia]

AJ Styles is superstar material if they don't fuck with his character at all. Just let the guy do his thing. Keep Vince and the RAW writers far away.

We know that won't happen.

They'll MAKE REIGNS LOOK STRONG

 

[Sectorseven]

Wait a minute, WWE is reporting on a WWE rumor?

 

[Ric Flair]

Sounds like a challenge for the chairman.

I think it's fair to say I'd trust Paul over Vince at this point. NXT is the best thing they've got going right now.

 

[kirblar]

AJ Styles is superstar material if they don't fuck with his character at all. Just let the guy do his thing. Keep Vince and the RAW writers far away.

Funny thing about the timing. Remember what happened the last time they put the title in the Rumble?

Well, of course you would.

 

[bigkrev]

Is Nakamura the guy that pits a guy in an abdominable stretch and then plays air guitar with the dudes body? Cuz if so that dude is charismatic as fuck

Nah, that's Tanahashi, who is never going to leave NJPW, thankfully.

 

[Kurt Angle]

AJ Styles is superstar material if they don't fuck with his character at all. Just let the guy do his thing. Keep Vince and the RAW writers far away.

Fandagno needs a tag partner

this guys into style and fashion right, perfect

 

[Entropia]

Wait a minute, WWE is reporting on a WWE rumor?

Yeah which is hilarious.

It more or less makes it true... they want to save face that it's not happening for when it does actually happen

 

[knkng]

So excited for Nakamura. Even the WWE can't fuck that up.

I wouldn't take that bet if I were you.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

I think it's fair to say I'd trust Paul over Vince at this point. NXT is the best thing they've got going right now.

AJ and Nakamura are going straight to the main roster according the meltzer

 

[Choomp]

Have fun jobbing out to New day

 

[NYR]

Let me know when it's CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Batista. #NoOneCaresAboutMinorLeaguers

 

[Net_Wrecker]

aj styles is 9 years too late

TNA already won

Styles is better right now than he's ever been, and arguably has more prestige attached to his name than his best run in TNA.

Not excited to watch the WWE flush all of that. Or Nakamura, who should be a star.

 

[Grifter]

I feel like they'd come in as a faction with balor included

Bullet Club US, will be like NWO Japan with Shinsuke in the fake Sting role as fake Yujiro.

 

[lolmark]

Haha.

PS. I'm stoked for AJ Styles and Nakamura. Just laughing that there's a repost.

 

[BoboBrazil]

Bullet Club US, will be like NWO Japan with Shinsuke in the fake Sting role as fake Yujiro.

Can't wait until Cena or Reigns beats them 1 on 4.

 

[Data West]

Let me know when it's CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Batista. #NoOneCaresAboutMinorLeaguers

I'll let you know when some old busted up near paraplegics get resigned, friend.

 

[Acorn]

Let me know when it's CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Batista. #NoOneCaresAboutMinorLeaguers

Punk gotta kill some cans then get murdered by a proper ufc dude first.

 

[Jarrod38]

No Kurt Angle so not as significant.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Remember when TNA tried to give AJ Styles Ric Flairs gimmick.

It's like, you couldn't be more off the mark if you tried.

 

[kirblar]

Styles is better right now than he's ever been, and arguably has more prestige attached to his name than his best run in TNA.

Not excited to watch the WWE flush all of that. Or Nakamura, who should be a star.

Would imagine the run in NJPW increased WWE's offer a LOT over their last one.

 

[Plinko]

So excited for Nakamura. Even the WWE can't fuck that up.

Until you see that they've saddled him with some sort of a stereotypical gimmick, like one where he pulls a rickshaw to the ring.

Michael Hayes gotta work.

 

[The Silver]

So excited for Nakamura. Even the WWE can't fuck that up.

I'll take this bet

 

[NYR]

I'll let you know when some old busted up near paraplegics get resigned, friend.

Thx, I'll let you know when the mid-card jobbers are the highlight of your day. Pssst - it's today! It is a new day, yes it is!

 

[Tagyhag]

I think (I HOPE) that they treat Nakamura like they did with Kana. Just make him a silent but charismatic badass who destroys everyone for a while.

 

[BadAss2961]

AJ Styles is superstar material if they don't fuck with his character at all. Just let the guy do his thing. Keep Vince and the RAW writers far away.

I don't know if AJ's the same athlete anymore, but he can work any style.

I have zero trust in WWE writing him though. I hate how they don't acknowledge other brands. Would be cool if he could come in with his name and well established rep, but they'll probably treat him like a fresh face they've never seen before.

 

[Darrenf]

I never thought Aj Styles would join WWE. Excited to see how he does.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

I don't know if AJ's the same athlete anymore, but he can work any style.

I have zero trust in WWE writing him though. I hate how they don't acknowledge other brands. Would be cool if he could come in with his name and well established rep, but they'll probably treat him like a fresh face they've never seen before.

They're going to make him cut 10 minute long promos where he stands in the middle of the ring too

 

[Dunedain_Ranger]

Wwe will waste them

 

[Rebel Leader]

Who? I don't watch wrestling anymore so if someone can fill me in.

 

[Matticers]

Pretty awesome. But I'm already disappointed that they won't be sticking with the Bullet Club name and entrance theme. I feel like that would go over big time with the WWE audience. I mean, it's already popular outside of that but still.

 

[norm9]

If Sting couldn't get a fair shake in the E, I doubt AJ will either.

 

[NYR]

Who?

Welcome to wrestling in 2015, where Indy-nobodies matter, charisma doesn't exist and "superstars" only say what is in the script.

 

[Sanjuro]

...and nothing of relevance was obtained this day.

This is getting bad when not signing Scott Steiner is hindrance.

 

[Malvingt2]

Man..... 4 or 5 years ago AJ Styles was something I wanted... Now? where the WWE stands? no thanks. not even that will make me comeback..

reposting..