Wheeler YUTA Had Recent “Head Turning” WWE Tryout

Independent star, Wheeler YUTA, who many will know from his matches on AEW Dark in particular, recently had a try-out with WWE.

Fightful Select has reported that Wheeler YUTA received a try-out at the WWE Performance Center in May 2021. He reportedly turned heads during his chance to impress but was not offered a WWE contract. It is being said that this was one of the first instances that indicated that WWE’s hiring process had changed.

Several NXT stars told Fightful Select that YUTA was the perfect fit for the NXT brand, and could already work, and was “shocked” that WWE did not make a move for the 24-year-old. It was figured at this moment that a major shift was coming, which of course marked a number of releases that we saw this past Friday.

YUTA’s most recent AEW appearance was teaming up with Chuck Taylor to face Private Party on the August 4th edition of AEW Dark. Yuta is still competing on the independent scene, with his last match being on August 8th for IWTV TV in a 60-minute time limit draw against Daniel Garcia.

Have WWE made a mistake not picking up Wheeler YUTA?

Even with sizeable interest from AEW and Ring of Honor, WWE decided to pass on a young star that was pretty much ready for TV. It is a surprising move, and one WWE could come to regret in the future. What is most surprising is that many heads were turned at the PC with just how good YUTA was, but this wasn’t enough to tempt WWE management to offer him a deal.

It had been reported over the last week that major changes were coming to NXT with a move back to the old developmental style. Whether that is a positive thing only time will tell, but passing up opportunities to sign ready-made talented stars surely isn’t the answer.

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