Give them a chance

The hopefuls...
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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WWE announced earlier today 38 athletes have been invited to tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Nineteen men and nineteen women are getting this sometimes once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of the biggest wrestling company on the planet.

Shayna Baszler
Courtesy: UFC

Among the elite athletes are independent wrestling icon Eddie Kingston, Shayna Baszler, who is UFC fighter Ronda Rousey's teammate, and women's wrestling standout Princess Kimber Lee (who appeared on the first My 1-2-3 Cents podcast of 2016).

The article by WWE states this is the largest class of female athletes to receive this opportunity. In addition to the 19 women who want to be Superstars one day, there's also a female referee. Other than special guest spots, this would mark the first time the company has hired a woman to ref (as far as I can remember).

Eddie Kingston & The Colony
Chikara in 2012

I don't know much about Baszler, but if she's serious about getting into the business, I look forward to her getting the opportunity. I'm most excited for Kingston, who has busted his ass on the indy scene for years. He's tougher than a two dollar steak and has the look and skill set that works with WWE's New Era. I've had a chance to see Kingston in person when he was Chikara's first ever Grand Champion. 

Princess Kimber Lee
Courtesy: Chikara

Princess Kimber Lee is another one to watch. She will make a great addition to the women's division. If you listened to my interview with her, you'll remember she's the first female to win the Chikara Grand Championship. It was a groundbreaking moment in wrestling history and Kimber Lee has proven she can hang with the women as well as the men in the ring. 

Heidi Lovelace

Heidi Lovelace is in Orlando for an opportunity too. She is also a former champion in Chikara, holding that company's Young Lions Cup. She continues to do well for herself on the indy scene and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her work. 

Cedric Rougeau & Jacob Fatu

Legacies are also getting a tryout. Don't expect to call Cedric Rougeau the Mountie, Jr. He's a MOUNTAIN of a man, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 300 pounds. Rougeau will fit that big guy mold like a glove. The son of the Tonga Kid hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. The "Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu is a part of the legendary Anoa'i Family. 

There's no word on how many of these talents will stick around. My hope is the ones mentioned here are among the first to go to the next level. The future is bright for WWE and NXT. Best of luck to everyone involved.