As 2022 comes to a close WWE show no sign of slowing their recruitment drive.
While one of the hallmarks of the new regime since the summer has been the return of former Superstars, WWE are now casting their net further afield. Just minutes after winning the AAA Tag Team Championships from FTR alongside his brother Dralistico, Mexican star Dragon Lee announced that he had signed with the company. The 27-year-old will join up with NXT in January 2023 and has already expressed his desire to become the next Rey Mysterio.
More WWE Signings On The Way
Interestingly, it appears that the signing of Lee is just the beginning. A new report from Wrestle Votes has claimed that there are “expectations” within WWE that they will be signing multiple talents in early 2023.
“I’m told WWE is hopeful the signing of Dragon Lee is just the start of “standout” talent agreeing to terms w/ the company. Hearing Triple H & crew have expectations to land other high quality names early in 2023.”
I’m told WWE is hopeful the signing of Dragon Lee is just the start of “standout” talent agreeing to terms w/ the company. Hearing Triple H & crew have expectations to land other high quality names early in 2023.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) December 29, 2022
Dragon Lee made his debut with CMLL in January 2014 before making his Ring of Honor debut two years later. The second-generation star also found success in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. More recently, Lee appeared on AEW Dynamite, teaming with his other brother RUSH and Andrade El Idolo in defeat to The Elite in the AEW World Trios Title Tournament.
Following the signing of Lee, WWE’s Head of Talent Strategy and Operations James Kimball said that the star will immediately “add value” to NXT.
“Dragon Lee is a tremendous talent that will immediately add value to the NXT roster, This signing is reflective of WWE’s renewed emphasis on globalizing our talent pipeline with Latin America positioned as a focal market.”
The deal with Lee appears to be further proof that the sports entertainment giant is moving away from solely attempting to recruit collegiate athletes with no wrestling experience. Independent star Kylie Rae recently made her debut on WWE Main Event under a new name after impressing at a recent try-out which also included former ROH stars Vincent & Dutch.