LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 06: Actor/professional wrestler John Hennigan attends the premiere of ... [+]
John Morrison and WWE have agreed to a new multi-year contract. The 40-year-old veteran’s return to WWE had been rumored since September, but was made official on Tuesday. Morrison confirmed the news on Twitter:
Morrison has proven to still be a dynamic in-ring performer since leaving WWE in 2012. His stints with Lucha Underground, AAA and Impact Wrestling have produced some impressive matches and moments.
With a good amount still left in the proverbial tank, Morrison could be a huge asset to WWE.
Per WWE.com, Morrison’s brand affiliation is still yet to be determined, but there is a case to be made for him to be assigned to any of WWE’s three major brands.
Raw
In some ways, it has seemed as if Raw has been the forgotten and most dismissed of the three brands since WWE inked a deal with FOX to air Smackdown and other content across the network’s family of channels. Many of the top stars have been sent to the Blue brand to ensure Smackdown generates favorable ratings.
Meanwhile, Raw is being powered by Seth Rollins, who has become one of the WWE Universe’s least-favorite performers over the past several months. Perhaps introducing Morrison on Raw, as a face or heel, could inject some life into a program that desperately needs a pick-me-up.
Smackdown
As I mentioned, FOX has seemingly commanded the presence of a number of the brand’s needle movers. I wouldn’t necessarily include Morrison in the same category with Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt and others, but he’s always been a marketable performer. His athleticism and look is easy to sell and that could be a reason to adjoin him with FOX and Smackdown.
NXT
Morrison’s style screams indie appeal. NXT is the closest thing WWE has to indie wrestling and Morrison will almost certainly be welcomed with open arms by the fans of the NXT brand. I can only imagine what matches between Morrison and Adam Cole, Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Keith Lee and others might look like.
From a pure wrestling standpoint, I have to admit, this is where I’d love to see him land. NXT is no longer simply the developmental brand for WWE. The stars of NXT are as over with the WWE Universe as some of the biggest names.
Morrison wouldn’t necessarily have to bide his time at Full Sail while he awaits a call-up. Placing Morrison with NXT could be the latest affirmation that WWE now considers NXT a major brand.
