Finn "Prince Devitt" Bálor Thread (Raw Spoilers ahoy!)

Reebrock

I think Prince Devitt in WWE would be ace, one of my top 5 workers today. I love his style, and he is starting to show a lot more personality. I think in time, he would be an excellent WWE fit.

GTR63

rovert wrote: »

Went spare yesterday as after I posted that interview it was reported in the Wrestling Observer again that WWE are interested Prince Devitt (and Karl Anderson). This time mentioning that the story was being reported in Japan. Whether it is actual fresh interest or the Japanese media repeating what Western media reported last month I don't know.

I hope they don`t only started watching NJPW properly (ie watching shows instead of matches) & I do think that Devitt could get the IWGP Heavyweight title there. If he goes to WWE he`ll probably get the usual destruction then rebuild process.

Propane Nightmare

He'll just turn out to be Evan Bourne V2. I can feel it my bones.

Stay in Japan mate, the grass isn't always greener.

Insect Overlord

Propane Nightmare wrote: »

He'll just turn out to be Evan Bourne V2. I can feel it my bones.

Stay in Japan mate, the grass isn't always greener.

He'd hardly screw up and fail Wellness, would he?

GTR63

Insect Overlord wrote: »

He'd hardly screw up and fail Wellness, would he?

He`s pretty well taken care of physically from NJ as I read on an interview him citing it as a big benefit of wrestling there is being covered medically (my memory is a little hazy on that but seem to remember reading that in one of his PS Interviews) & in great shape. Can`t speak for the man myself but I imagine he`d be grand.

Propane Nightmare

Insect Overlord wrote: »

He'd hardly screw up and fail Wellness, would he?

What I meant was that he probably wouldn't get passed the midcard. I know this is probably blasphemy on this forum but thats how I feel. He doesn't have a unique image like Sheamus and even hes faded a lot over the years.

Rjd2

Propane Nightmare wrote: »

What I meant was that he probably wouldn't get passed the midcard. .

People said the same about Daniel Bryan as well.;)

gnfnrhead

Rjd2 wrote: »

People said the same about Daniel Bryan as well.;)

And Colt Cabana, oh wait.....

B.A._Baracus

I am just another wrestling fan ... so what the fuck do I know, like the rest of us.

But why should Fergal Devitt leave NJPW?
He has worked and put his time into the promotion to earn himself a good spot which I am sure that pays well. It's no secret that WWE is where the big money is at, but, and it's a big but - what spot on the card will Fergal have?

Fergal is one of the best workers in the world. But WWE are not gonna sign him to mega money to jump ship. So does it really make sense for him to sign to WWE holding an "unkown card" or does it make more sense holding onto his "Ace Card" in New Japan ... After all they call it the wrestling business and it's about money. Why should Fergal go to the unknown, perhaps get mis-used or even jobbed out ... to then what? ... return to NJPW? where his spot and built up yen-tag are long gone?

jaykhunter

Opportunity and money, really. There's never been a better time for a smaller, immensely talented wrestler to be one of the biggest wrestlers all over the world, not just in Japan and their pool of fans. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan are mainstays in WWE/worldwide and make much more than himself. Maybe he'll get "Tensai'd" and be propping up house shows and Superstars after a few months, maybe not.

I agree Devitt's never been bigger or hotter in NJPW, and I don't think he should leave - not before cementing himself as a main-eventer anyway.

Jason Todd

This was on my twitter feed this morning.

rovert

Pretty interesting response from Fergal as in he gave any response at all as traditionally he keeps his cards close to his chest. As I said above I don't there is any fresh interest in him. I think reports are simply echos of other reports a month earlier. He is under New Japan contract for how long I don't know

Triple H asked NXT Creative's Rob Naylor a year and a good bit ago for list of potential signees from the Indies so to speak. Rob submitted a list of 20-25 names the results can be seen in WWE's raid on the independents. Anyone who signed went willingly by all reports however Rob said he and William Regal begged him to come to NXT strongly multiple times and Fergal each time politely said no.

WWE is some people's dreams and for other's it is not:

That's a legitimate story and wasn't for public consumption. Kevin Steen one of his closest friends spoke about it too here at 15:20 mark:

However there's people in WWE who would switch places with Fergal in a heartbeat. The New Japan locker room is full of people who had a hard time in WWE and TNA too who made the jump.

rovert

From last weekend:

Easy **** match. So fun.

rovert

Not to over do it on the WWE discussion. But Devitt is a prominent part of a seriously growing company:


Observer:

The company announced its new officers after Takaaki Kidani resigned as Chairman of the Board. Naoki Sugabayashi, the longtime company president, is now the Chairman. Kaname Tezuka, an executive from Bushiroad, is the new company president. Kaoru Migumo and Michiaki Nishizawa are Directors and Jyunjy Iwasaki is the financial officer. It’s notable that not one former wrestler is in senior management and Sugabayashi is the only one with years of experience in wrestling. Nishizawa was a translator for the company. Tezuka, like Kidani, are trying to expand the brand overseas, which is going to be very difficult because Japanese culture doesn’t export well. The two markets they are looking at is the U.S., where they have no chance, and Singapore, where they already have their TV broadcast in English. They are also looking at getting into Europe and Southeast Asia. He said their goal is to increase revenue to $100 million annually, and to run shows not only at the Tokyo Dome, but at every major Dome in Japan in 2015. For the first three quarters of the year, New Japan’s profits are up 500% from 2012.

I asked the lads:



Worth noting he is wrestling in Bray tonight:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=86741927&postcount=1116

Nody

Well 500% profit increase may sound good but if that's going from 1 EUR to 5 EUR profit it's still a poor profit With out having some relevant numbers to put next to is (such as net profit, total spend etc.) it's really a meaningless fluff number.

rovert

Nody wrote: »

Well 500% profit increase may sound good but if that's going from 1 EUR to 5 EUR profit it's still a poor profit With out having some relevant numbers to put next to is (such as net profit, total spend etc.) it's really a meaningless fluff number.

New Japan went from about 2001 to 2008 without turning a profit due the Japanese economy and booking and talents decisions that genuinely nearly destroyed the company. $4-5 million was the likely profit range in 2012. The addition of iPPV is what is driving the increase. There is no tradition of Pay Per View in America and cable penetration is rather low in the country (meaning people only have the basic channels). So there was an unknown level of demand for Wrestling iPPVs which turned out to be large.

There's also the social factor which I am not entirely sure exists in October 2013 of people not wanting to be seen out in enjoying themselves or on TV doing it while other people were suffering due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. I guess it is kind of like when it was kind of vulgar to be seen having a new car reg in Ireland a few years ago when the economy was its worst.

Andy_rse

Seen him in Belfast last night, he wrestled 3 matches, he looks the business! Him and Duncan Disorderly put on a good match in the main event!

rovert

Andy_rse wrote: »

Seen him in Belfast last night, he wrestled 3 matches, he looks the business! Him and Duncan Disorderly put on a good match in the main event!

Duncan's really good. Looks the part, can talk and wrestle.

You forgot to mention this:

Andy_rse

Don't know how I managed to forget about that, it was awesome!

montyrebel

was there as well, Devitt was excellent in every match he had

rovert

An short-ish interview with Prince Devitt for a Northern Irish community radio Wrestling show:

http://www.spreaker.com/user/outsidetheropes1/outside_the_ropes_special_part_2

32 minute mark.

Amusingly he said he woke up one morning with text messages from people he grew up with (non-fan types) saying they heard Triple H was around his gaff recently. :P

EdK

Going to London to see Devitt vs Ricochet this weekend looking forward to it!,Card also includes Tanahashi,Elgin,Davey Richards,Cabana and good British talent like Doug Williams,Scurll and Sabre Jr. and a Bret Hart appearance should be a great show

rovert

Someone finally uploaded a high quality rip of this up:
https://bay176.mail.live.com/default.aspx?id=64855&owa=1&owasuffix=owa%2f#n=1256335032&fid=1&mid=e456ddce-9268-11e2-94a7-00237de4a654&fv=1

rovert

Mike Johnson reported today WWE and Devitt ARE in discussions.

Mike acknowledged the joke Tweets from the weekend the report isn't based off them rather something he was actually told my source.

Hashtag_HEEL

It'd be wonderful to see an Irish person with the wwe on the world stage (one who's not an overgrown leprechaun ). I'd be afraid that he'd be f###ed around with beyond recognition!

gnfnrhead

Hope he doesnt go. He is in a very strong position in NJPW whereas WWE will fcuk him in development for who knows how long.

LOTD

Hashtag_HEEL wrote: »

It'd be wonderful to see an Irish person with the wwe on the world stage (one who's not an overgrown leprechaun ). I'd be afraid that he'd be f###ed around with beyond recognition!

Agree with point of great to see Irish talent doing well. Harsh having a go at Sheamus like that, he's done very well for himself. I know people have a go at him for whatever, but I enjoy his work in the ring, anyway. As far as Prince Devitt, you got to weigh up the options, he will be in NXT learning the WWE style for a while. Plus he will give up a lot of control creatively and what he can do in the in the ring. Whatever decision he makes I hope it works out for him.

JumpingNothing

I really hope he doesn't go, but for utterly selfish reasons.

Part of me really wishes Bryan Danielson was still in the indies, for example. He'd be having much better matches far more consistently. At the same time, I can't begrudge him for going somewhere that pays actual real life money.

If I were Devitt I'd take the financial security of the WWE and make no apologies for it, but I have no doubt he would be largely wasted there and saddled with a lot of demeaning crap in between few superlative moments like Bryan has been.

Hashtag_HEEL

I didn't mean to have a go at Sheamo. What I mean is he's the perfect stereotype and really isn't a good representation of Ireland. It'd be much better to have Fergal in that spot but he'd never be ideal in Vince's eyes.

ShagNastii

How would you guys theoretically see Davitt in the WWE.

Who is he comparable to? Would he be a Jericho or would he be an RVD?

LOTD

Ah yeah get what you mean, I don't want him dying his hair red or doing something that harps on about him being Irish. My thing is though, would he have to alter his style drastically, I would hate to see him stuck in NXT for too long. I think if it makes sense from a financial standpoint and he was happy he was making a good career choice, then why not go.

gnfnrhead

JumpingNothing wrote: »

At the same time, I can't begrudge him for going somewhere that pays actual real life money.

NJPW is the WWE of Japan. He's unlikely to be making peanuts. Especially since he usually only works for them and tiny Indy promotions. He rarely works for the big Indy's so cant be doing too badly.

JumpingNothing

gnfnrhead wrote: »

NJPW is the WWE of Japan. He's unlikely to be making peanuts. Especially since he usually only works for them and tiny Indy promotions. He rarely works for the big Indy's so cant be doing too badly.

True, but somebody threw out figures of Tensai earning four times in WWE what he earned in NJPW. They're paying him a very good living for sure, but the WWE is on another planet in terms of revenue.

ShagNastii

TBH if I was getting a high end WWE salary they could make me join Mcmahon's ass kissing club weekly on raw and I couldn't care less.

gnfnrhead

JumpingNothing wrote: »

True, but somebody threw out figures of Tensai earning four times in WWE what he earned in NJPW. They're paying him a very good living for sure, but the WWE is on another planet in terms of revenue.

It isnt all about money. If he is making a comfortable living and more importantly, is happy, why disrupt that? He'd have to move to another continent and be on the road a whole lot more than he currently is. It would be different if he were living in America as it would only be extra travel, but he would have to uproot everything for something that might not work out.

ShagNastii wrote: »

TBH if I was getting a high end WWE salary they could make me join Mcmahon's ass kissing club weekly on raw and I couldn't care less.

Which McMahon? I know one that would have a long waiting list :pac:

JumpingNothing

gnfnrhead wrote: »

It isnt all about money. If he is making a comfortable living and more importantly, is happy, why disrupt that? He'd have to move to another continent and be on the road a whole lot more than he currently is. It would be different if he were living in America as it would only be extra travel, but he would have to uproot everything for something that might not work out.

Yeah, and that's true for most professions, but I think pro wrestlers are conscious of the time limit on their careers. Devitt could be going full time for what, maybe 10 more years? He'd want to put a lot of money away in that time and a few years in WWE on a stupid salary would make a massive difference to the rest of his life.

I do hope you're right though, the prospect of Prince Devitt doing time in Vince McMahon humiliation angles makes me brain bleed.

Mr.Nice Guy

Not sure how I feel about the idea of him in WWE. Would they let him keep his name? Doubt it. Do we really want to see Prince Devitt become NXT's Brad Dawson? Or maybe he'll get an Irish name (or what sounds an Irish name to Americans) Jack McFinnegan or something.

I'd fear he'd end up as another Senshi. A bit of buzz for a week or two but then left to job on Superstars to the Wyatts.

Still, maybe it's something he has to try just for his own sake to make sure he has no regrets when he eventually retires. I just hope they'd let him show what has gotten him where he is rather than reboot him altogether.

rovert

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I'd fear he'd end up as another Senshi. A bit of buzz for a week or two but then left to job on Superstars to the Wyatts.

Senshi was a completely different time both developmental wise and creatively. Low Ki and Devitt are so different in so many ways in is not worth discussing IMO. Devitt is as professional as Low Ki isn't. A better comparison/test case and it is still early days for him is Adrian Neville as they were essentially going to be signed together. Even saying that Neville isn't that great as some convincing had to be done before WWE signed him. While Triple H, Regal and tonnes more all want Devitt, some for years.

You can say what you want about Tensai being a flop. But Tensai is a Triple H guy in real llife in that will likely have a post career job with WWE likely as a trainer. Tensai also happens to be a big supporter of Devitt. I know elsewhere on the roster Daniel Bryan, CM Punk and Tyson Kidd are all big fans of Devitt. In short there's a lot of people there that will put a good word in or advocate for a strong position/tp work with him.

rovert

JumpingNothing wrote: »

True, but somebody threw out figures of Tensai earning four times in WWE what he earned in NJPW. They're paying him a very good living for sure, but the WWE is on another planet in terms of revenue.

Karl Anderson is New Japan tag partner said that. I believe it. But the difference between New Japan and WWE is that in WWE you have pay for your travel, accommodation etc. So essentially half your pay check is spent on the road. New Japan on the other hand pay for more or less everything.

JumpingNothing wrote: »

Yeah, and that's true for most professions, but I think pro wrestlers are conscious of the time limit on their careers. Devitt could be going full time for what, maybe 10 more years? He'd want to put a lot of money away in that time and a few years in WWE on a stupid salary would make a massive difference to the rest of his life.

And with an increased profile he could have a pretty decent post-WWE career whether it is periodic indy days, conventions and likely for him have a higher profile name attached for your Wrestling School.

rovert

What Meltzer wrote largely details most of us who has followed the story know already except the bold bit:

WWE has also opened up talks again with Fergal "Prince" Devitt. In the past, Devitt has talked about being happy with New Japan given the style and the fact he's got a guaranteed good spot in a place he's established his name, plus it's a lot better schedule to work. At the same time, there is far more potential money in WWE, and the New Japan style is far tougher physically. At 32, with injuries starting to crop up, you start thinking about your financial future and decisions you may have made a few years ago are looked at differently. The thing with Devitt is, he's not just got the in-ring work but has a heel attitude and personality completely unlike anyone in the company right now. But as the leader of The Bullet Club, he's really in the best position of his career in New Japan as far as a guy who will get major singles matches and probably a PPV main event and one or two semis a year, and is part of a growing company. I know people who have done both New Japan and WWE and they are much happier in New Japan, but money is an issue and it also depends on what kind of commitment WWE makes financially. WWE offered Tensai a huge downside because they expected him to be a main event heel, even if he didn't make it, but he's making far more than he'd have made in Japan. What WWE offered A.J. Styles, who has a bigger U.S. name than Devitt, as far as a guarantee goes, may be the same or less than Devitt is already guaranteed in Japan.

Someone worked out/said that AJ's current WWE offer is a fifth of what TNA are paying him.

LOTD

Someone worked out/said that AJ's current WWE offer is a fifth of what TNA are paying him.[/QUOTE]

Seriously, that's really insulting for a guy in my opinion who has been one of the best wrestlers in North America for the last decade

gnfnrhead

LOTD wrote: »

Seriously, that's really insulting for a guy in my opinion who has been one of the best wrestlers in North America for the last decade

I can understand the lower offer, he's mid 30's and not well known to the WWE audience, but a fifth is a joke.

LOTD

gnfnrhead wrote: »

I can understand the lower offer, he's mid 30's and not well known to the WWE audience, but a fifth is a joke.

Would he end making more with the WWE in the long run?

rovert

LOTD wrote: »

Seriously, that's really insulting for a guy in my opinion who has been one of the best wrestlers in North America for the last decade

From the WWE POV:
- They aren't to paying a premium on the "transfer market" for someone they probably an equal to in-house or developmental.

- AJ Styles isn't a star he is just a dude who has been on national TV who has been near-terminally misused. If you want to label him damaged goods you can.

- WWE seems to think from what I am lead to believe there's a "TNA stink."

- Young AJ Styles is 36. Under Johnny Ace's reign in talent relations the given cut off age was 32 - with some exceptions. Devitt is 32 by the way.

Edit:

- Also probably too Southern. Not even trolling on this one.

LOTD

rovert wrote: »

From the WWE POV:
- They aren't to paying a premium on the "transfer market" for someone they probably an equal to in-house or developmental.

- AJ Styles isn't a star he is just a dude who has been on national TV who has been near-terminally misused. If you want to label him damaged goods you can.

- WWE seems to think from what I am lead to believe there's a "TNA stink."

- Young AJ Styles is 36. Under Johnny Ace's reign in talent relations the given cut off age was 32 - with some exceptions. Devitt is 32 by the way.

Just a little shocked at the offer really. Damaged goods, not sure I would agree with that. Would like to seem him in the WWE, he has done all he can with TNA. Just saw your southern comment, oh yeah Vince hates southern people JR and Cornette, just two examples.

GTR63

rovert wrote: »

Also probably too Southern. Not even trolling on this one.

Put him with the Wyatts then(admittedly i'd hate it alrite). But he'd be the only one of them who isn't fat and fúcking useless.

Machismo Fan

Considering AJ's probably not on huge money, offering him a fifth of that just seems mean spirited. Why bother offering him anything at all?

rovert

Machismo Fan wrote: »

Considering AJ's probably not on huge money, offering him a fifth of that just seems mean spirited. Why bother offering him anything at all?

And then leak it to the dirtsheets too.

In fairness how many times have TNA strictly used WWE interest real or fake just for negotiating leverage for TNA or to further a storyline.

I should have a better feel about what money AJ is on. I assume 500k, MF?

rovert

Devitt responding to the rumours?

ShagNastii

Saw the Davitt tweet. Really great.

It's a pity TNA is so far from the WWE. There is no TNA made star that could jump ship and do something akin to Jericho in WWF.

You think if WWE made a hype train they could make Davitt's debut memorable?

Machismo Fan

rovert wrote: »

I should have a better feel about what money AJ is on. I assume 500k, MF?

I have no idea really but I would've always thought closer to 300-350k. But that's only a guess.