10 Wrestlers Impact Could Of Signed (But Didn't) By Hakeem Fullerton
Intro: The world of professional wrestling has seen many talented stars getting overlooked by some of the most well known promotions; This often leads to other wrestling companies coming in and signing these individuals with the aim of giving them the opportunity to show what they can do inside the square circle on a much larger stage.
While Impact Wrestling has garnered the reputation of signing up stars from other promotions (most notably WWE) there have be more than a few cases when the company have had the chance to sign up new talent only to not jump on the opportunity and allowing other promotions sign them up instead.
This list is in no particular order, as it includes wrestlers who have been in wrestling for quite some time and even appeared on Impact Wrestling Television but are still free agents or have been signed with another promotion as of the writing of this article.
While Impact Wrestling has garnered the reputation of signing up stars from other promotions (most notably WWE) there have be more than a few cases when the company have had the chance to sign up new talent only to not jump on the opportunity and allowing other promotions sign them up instead.
This list is in no particular order, as it includes wrestlers who have been in wrestling for quite some time and even appeared on Impact Wrestling Television but are still free agents or have been signed with another promotion as of the writing of this article.
10. Ivelisse Velez
Best known for her work in various promotions like Lucha Underground, Ivelisse Velez has created quite a following for herself over the years with many fans wondering as to why this Puerto Rican superstars hasn't been sign up by any major wrestling promotion yet.
In the early 2010's Impact was running a concept called 'Gut Check,' which was looking to find and sign some of the newest and most talented names in pro wrestling onto the roster; Ivelisse was one of the many contestants to take part and despite not winning she did make an impression as she would reappear on Impact facing off against names like Lei'd Tapa and Mickie James, not to mention that she even was a member of the notorious Aces and Eights faction (although she was only a member for one night).
In 2018, Ivelisse mentioned in a interview that Impact management had were looking to bring back Ivelisse to work a program for a set of tapings but at the last minute she was informed that the plans were scrapped. To this day, no one knows as to why these plans were cancelled but many have speculated since.
Ivelisse only gets number 10 on this list, because the company have tried to get her back on the show and possibly sign her to a contract, however Ivelisse's recent appearances on brands like NXT and AEW might suggest that this superstar might not be available for much longer.
A reliable hand inside the ring, Princes work can best be found in Canadian promotions like Border City Wrestling where his won BCW tag team titles with Brent Banks and have gone up against names like Tyson Dux, Johnny Devine, Josh Alexander, Hakim Zane/Rohit Raju and has even had and back and forth rivalry with John E. Bravo...Yes, that John E. Bravo.
Aiden has appeared a few time on Impact for matches on Xplosion as well as wrestling in the opening contest for Rebellion 2019 and even pushed former X Division Champion, Jake Crist to the limit on episode of Impact in 2019.
While his reappeared as one of the many instructors for the revitalize version of Gut Check in 2020, there hasn't been any sighting of Prince on Impact programming, not to mention there hasn't been and word or reports on management considering the chance to sign him.
One of the issue regarding Aiden Prince is that fact that he doesn't have a visa that would allow him to wrestle in the United States; Much other Canadian pro wrestlers like Alexia Nicole and KC Spinelli (who also could of made this list), Aiden Prince is a capable hand that Impact could use in time when their roster is relatively small compared to other companies.
8. Sammy Guevara
Despite controversy he caused in June of 2020 over comments he made from years ago about doing some less than savory things to WWE superstar Sasha Banks, the man known as Sammy Guevara become a well liked up-and comer in this industry.
Most fans know Guevara best as the guy who constantly runs from serious danger in All Elite Wrestling;When he isn't running from Broken Matt Hardy in a golf cart or Adam Page riding a horse inside a football stadium, Sammy is often seen either as a member of Chris Jericho's Inner Circle stable or doing a variety of things on his YouTube channel.
Though he may look like a glorified enhancement talent at first the man is a very talented individual when given the opportunity and he can play really good chicken shit heel as evident during his time in MLW.
Considering Guevara appeared in Impact Wrestling at a time period when not was guaranteed and more fans were focusing on the scandals than the ring work, it's easy to see why many including the new management of Don Callis and Scott D'Amore might of forgotten about him.
7. LuFisto
One of the most recognizable names in the independent wrestling scene, LuFisto has been wrestling longer than most modern fans and wrestlers have been alive.
Wrestling since late 1990's at the age of 17, LuFisto has wrestled in numerous promotions with most popular being CZW, Shimmer and Shine Wrestling where she's wrestled both women and men during her career and achieved many accolades.
Despite this, she hasn't been seen in a major capacity when to comes to the bigger stages of the wrestling world. Given that the Knockouts Division has always prided itself by having some of the best unsigned talent outside of the WWE machine, it's shocking that LuFisto hasn't been seen on Impact Wrestling.
While health issues did indeed slow her progression, she has reportedly made a recovery; Not to mention that even Impact fans have been clamoring on social media for the company to sign her already. Whether the company has any interest in her remains unknown but her participation as seasoned veteran who can help to grow the future stars of women's wrestling couldn't hurt.
6. Taiji Ishimori
During the early stages of the new regime in Impact Wrestling back in 2018 a lot names would appear at one second and then the next they'd be gone, such was the case of Japanese pro wrestler, Taiji Ishimori.
Taiji was first since in 2017 alongside Sammy Guevara participating in an X Division style tournament before appearing in a multi person tag team with names like Drago, Marufuji Garza Jr. and Santana and Ortiz in the opening contest for Slammiversary 2017.
Following this, Ishimori would go on to become the X Division champion after defeating Trevor Lee in a one-on-one match but it wouldn't last long as he would lose that title to Matt Sydal in a champion vs. champion match where the winner takes all the gold.
His last set of appearances saw him working under the gimmick of "The Bone Soldier" (who a part of the Bullet Club) where wrestled against the Desi Hit Squad, Petey Williams and most famously in a fatal four way match to kick off Slammiversary 2018.
Considering the problems regarding Impact and New Japan Pro Wrestling have been 'frosty' to say the least, it's unlike that Impact will ever get the chance to sign or have Taiji Ishimori back on Impact Wrestling programming (outside of the flashbacks of course).
5. Marshall and Ross Von Erich
The Von Erich name is legendary in the pro wrestling for both good and bad reasons as they are one of the most decorated families in the sport next to the McMahons, the Harts, the Guerreros and the Rhodes Family.
While some fans may remember Lacey Von Erich when comes to Impact Wrestling but very few remember that two other Von Erich's wrestled in the company: Marshall and Ross Von Erich.
The pair only wrestled one time in Impact at Slammiversary 2014 when Ross and Marshall took on the BroMans in a bout that went on for five minutes due to Jessie Godderz causing the disqualification but at least Kevin Von Erich (Their Father) was able to using the 'Iron Claw' submission following the match which got the large Texas crowd jumping out of their seats.
After that, the duo never appeared again and they've been pretty much reclusive at least until January of this year when the brothers where reported to have signed with Major League Wrestling (MLW).
No word on whether Impact ever considered signing the Von Erich Brothers to a contract or if the Brothers themselves refused, but you've got to admit that having two talent wrestlers who are a part of a legendary wrestling family signed to roster would've been great especially considering the Tag Team Impact Wrestling had back then and even now.
4. Garza Jr.
Like so many other names wrestling for Impact around 2017-early 2018, Garza Jr. was kind of lost in the shuffle but he was by no means used poorly during his time with the company.
Garza Jr., the son of Hector Garza (a wrestler who has some history with the company) wrestled for Impact Wrestling thanks the partnership involving Impact and the Crash promotion; Garza's time in Impact saw he get involved in the same multi man tag team match that included Taiji Ishimori at Slammiversary 2017, as well as wrestling with fellows wrestlers like Johnny Impact, Eli Drake and Reno Scum.
Soon afterwards, headlines branding the title "WWE is Interested" included Garza Jr.'s name and he would be gone from Impact not too long from company without the company attempting officially sign him.
Since then Garza has gone on the achieve some success in the WWE like becoming the Cruiserweight champion and getting involved with main event stars like Drew Galloway among other things.
What Garza Jr. could of brought to this new version of Impact Wrestling and especially the X Division is something fans can only speculate.
3. Shotzi Blackheart
Shotzi Blackheart's time in Impact can best described as "Blink and You Miss It", heck even her own Wikipedia page doesn't even mention her title in Impact that just shows you how quick it was.
But for those who don't remember. Shotzi Blackheart first appeared at Impact Wrestling in a promo video hyping up a match between her and Delilah Doom for the up-and-coming Rise of the Knockouts event which was a show promoted by Rise Wrestling and Impact that would become a Twitch exclusive for Impact. unfortunately both Delilah and Shotzi they both suffered injuries both match and as a result the bout was scrapped.
Shotzi would appear on Impact in 2018 when she lost a match to former Knockouts Champion, Allie as well as her and Tessa Blanchard losing a tag team match which included Allie on an episode of Impact. Her last appearance for Impact occurred at the "All Glory" event when she competed in a triple threat match involving Kylie Rae and Laynie Luck for the Zelo Pro Women's Championship.
In October of 2019, Shotzi was signed to the WWE and since then she has become a rising star in NXT alongside former Knockout, Jade; Most recently Shotzi has been in the ring various females and she's even been seen riding a small toy tank on her way to the ring with one of those occasions seeing her run over Robert Stone's (Robbie E) foot.
It's unfortunate that Impact passed on the opportunity to sign such a young and talent female but as the old saying goes "What's your Loss, Is My Gain".
2. Tony Gunn
A resident of Ohio Valley Wrestling, Tony Gunn been wrestling for years as a seasoned pro wrestler and his no stranger to the fans of Impact Wrestling.
While Most of Tony Gunn's work is seen in OVW where his taken on wrestlers like Sami Callihan, Tommy Dreamer, Abyss, Jake Crist, and Ace Austin, his best known to Impact Wrestling fans now that's to his time in Gut Check where he acted cocky and self assured during the training matches and most infamously spitting in the ring to the angry of some of the instructors like Aiden Prince and Scott D'Amore.
In a recent Impact special that aired on either Twitch or the Impact Plus app, Scott D'Amore came to the ring to congratulate the winners with one of them being Tony Gunn. While many Impact fans have come to aspect, D'Amore coming to the ring after a match usually means that a wrestler is going to get signed to the company, that wasn't the case for Gunn.
Although his recently suffered some legal problems, there is still a chance that Impact could sign him to contract.
1. Mercedes Martinez
It's mind blowing how someone as talented as Mercedes Martinez was never given an opportunity never mind a contract to shine in Impact Wrestling, despite her 20 years of experience in the business.
Martinez has wrestled in almost every wrestling promotion that values or cares about women's wrestling (except Impact) with companies like Shimmer, Ring of Honor, Shine, WWE and even AEW but not in Impact Wrestling.
The closest Impact fans got to she her work was in 2018 when Mercedes wrestled Tessa Blanchard in a 30 minute Iron Woman match for the vacant Rise Women's Championship at the previously mentioned Rise of the Knockouts event.
Much fellow wrestler LuFisto, Mercedes Martinez has been overshadowed by many of the major wrestling companies when it comes to being signed for a long time deal but all of that change when in January of 2020 she was signed to a contract in the WWE were she's taken on various females during her time on the black and yellow brand known as NXT.
Like all of the other entries on this list, fans can only imagine what Mercedes Martinez's time in Impact Wrestling would have been if they had just given her signed her to a contract.
If you enjoyed my article/ blog, please leave your thoughts below and follow me on Blogger, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
And for more Wrestling Related Lists like this one, here are the links to some of them down below:
10 Interesting Facts About Slammiversary 2020:
Impact Wrestling Archives [The Forgotten Member Of Aces and Eights]:
https://blogofwrestling52.blogspot.com/2020/04/impact-wrestling-archives-forgotten.html
Top 10 Slammiversary Events (So Far):
https://blogofwrestling52.blogspot.com/2020/07/top-10-slammiversary-events-so-far-by.html
10 Amazing Wrestlers Whose Contributions Have Been Forgotten In Impact Wrestling:
https://blogofwrestling52.blogspot.com/2020/04/10-amazing-wrestlers-whose.html
Picture Sources
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