Killer Kross Signs With WWE
Evaluating what his impact on other promotions could have been.
The hourglass has run out – the hottest free agent in pro wrestling has signed with WWE.
Since Impact Wrestling released Killer Kross from his contract in December, there has been rampant speculation about where the 34-year-old monster will end up. Hell, the fantasy booking began well before that, when Mike Johnson at PWInsider reported in May that Kross requested his release after being unhappy with pay. There seemed to be hope when his girlfriend Scarlett Bordeaux also requested her release around the same time and was granted it a month later. “The Smokeshow” signed with WWE in November, leading fans to wonder if Kross would join his significant other.
Of course, it’s the perfect situation for “The Herald of Doomsday:” WWE can offer more money than any other company aside from AEW, the salacious couple can spend more time together and Kross’ profile has the potential to soar to unparalleled heights with the support of the WWE machine.
However, I was disappointed when I saw the news.
I’ve been a Killer Kross fan since his arrival in House of Hardcore. A relative newcomer to the industry at the time, he had already mastered the art of the promo. Whether sitting in a hotel room, leaning against a garage door or cloaked in darkness, he eloquently explained his sinister intentions. Shot in black and white and interspersed with archive footage of him mauling victims, Kross maximized his minutes and emerged as the most intimidating man in pro wrestling.
When he jumped to Impact, I was thrilled. He debuted as the payoff to a fun mystery angle, pretending to be a police officer so he could isolate Petey Williams and then beat the shit out of him. The powers that be clearly had high hopes for Kross, quickly pairing him with Impact World Champion Austin Aries as his “insurance policy.” After Aries’ departure, I feared that Kross would get lost in the shuffle. On the contrary, he became more popular, offering his services to new champion Johnny Impact. When the champ declined the offer, Kross snapped and powerbombed Taya Valkyrie (Johnny’s wife) into the crowd.
Although he didn’t win the world title (never even getting a title shot on pay-per-view), there was still time and still opportunity. After all, his tenure in Impact lasted just over one year. With the way the roster has become a revolving door, Killer Kross could have been the one constant. There was an endless array of fresh opponents and storylines for him, either as heel or face. His credibility had been established and the fans hung on his every word.
Alas, Impact’s brass just didn’t see the true value that Kross brings to the table.
Apparently, WWE does. I have my doubts, though. Although Kross makes a fantastic addition to the NXT roster, the same conundrum arises as with every other recognizable name that joins the developmental brand. What happens when he gets called up to the main roster? He has a menacing look, but he’s not as tall or as beefy as Vince McMahon prefers. Even if he was, looks aren’t everything, as evident by EC3’s puzzling absence over the past year.
More worrisome is the inevitable muzzle. Although he can hang in the ring, Kross’ specialty is promos. He’s been one of the top 10 talkers in the industry for the past two years. His ingenuity, creativity and versatility have kept him relevant while being off TV for six months. While he’ll still have a captivating presence on WWE TV, his words will be written by somebody else. The marketing buzzwords and McMahon-approved jargon will muffle his originality. The best hope is that Paul Heyman sinks his teeth into him a la Brock Lesnar, but even his influence is limited by the McMaster.
I only want the best for Killer Kross – I consider him the next big thing in pro wrestling. But I also want the best for the industry overall. WWE, with its endless resources and overflowing roster, doesn’t need him as much as other companies do. You’d hope that he was fielding offers from everywhere before reporting to the Performance Center.
As New Japan continues its expansion into the United States, Kross would have been the ideal cornerstone. Although verbal skills aren’t as necessary for success as in other promotions, his MMA background, intensity and charisma are tailor made for NJPW. It’s a two-way street: Kross’ in-ring skills could have gained seasoning by working with such phenomenal athletes on a consistent basis. Imagine Kross vs. Minoru Suzuki?
If Sinclair Broadcast Group was willing to loosen the purse strings, signing Kross would have been a wise investment for the future of Ring of Honor. With Marty Scurll booking now, disgruntled or even lapsed fans are likely to give the fallen promotion another shot. Having Kross come in to wreak havoc would have been a great opportunity to keep their attention. Once again, his style meshes well with the ROH roster and the options for opponents/storylines are infinite. Clashing with Villain Enterprises is the obvious direction – that’s one year of PPV matches right off the bat.
Speaking of ROH, this reformed alliance with the NWA could have used “The Tollman.” Not having him participate in the TV Title tournament at Hard Times was already a missed opportunity. For a promotion that prides itself on promos, Kross infiltrating GPB Studios is a no brainer.
Then there’s AEW, which seemed like the perfect fit. Kross’ checks could have a lot of zeroes and his visibility would have been higher than ever before. In return, AEW would have a wizard on the mic, a much-needed monster and a satisfying revelation for the leader of The Dark Order.
When Kross was finally freed, I predicted he would go to MLW and win the world championship before the end of 2020. A potential feud with Contra is exciting: Kross could match Josef Samael in a war of words and a war with Jacob Fatu could headline the next PPV. As of last Saturday, my prediction was half right. Kross debuted in MLW to a thunderous ovation from the Philadelphia crowd, and ended the night victorious along with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and the Von Erichs. A feud with Team Filthy seemed to be in the cards, but that’s all for naught now. At least we’ll always have FIGHTLAND.
Ultimately, Killer Kross is a shrewd man confident in his ability and aware of his worth. From a financial and relationship standpoint, he absolutely made the right decision. I just hope that he feels that way a year from now.
As for his supporters, we’re lining up to pay the toll on Wednesday nights.
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