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WWE signs ROH’s Matt Sydal

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Brian Streleckis

Brian Streleckis, Indy Wrestling, Pro Wrestling, ROH, WWE

News courtesy of Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com.

Sydal had garnered interest from WWE and TNA based off of his work on Wrestling Society X, so there was a feeling that this may happen. There was no word of him signing a Ring of Honor contract (despite appearing on their PPV), and within the storylines, he completed his heel turn and joined up with the super agent – “Sweet & Sour” Larry Sweeney – in hopes of making big money. In terms of honoring previous obligations, Sydal is still booked for indy dates in September (most notably PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles tournament and IWA-MS’ Ted Petty Invitational), and I suspect this would allow ROH to keep Sydal’s appearance on the 2nd PPV that was taped in June and debuting in September.

As for the signing itself, I obviously wish him luck. My heart says Sydal could be one of many smaller athletes – along with Paul London & Brian Kendrick, Cody Rhodes, and other developmental standouts (including Teddy Hart) – to provide an alternative to the current slate of large bodies on the main rosters, helping give WWE a more positive image after these last few months. My brain says he’ll languish in Louisville for a while before being quickly used and discarded by WWE “creative.”

As expected in the ROH storyline, Larry Sweeney is going to get some big heat for letting Sydal leave. Ring of Honor’s site published this article today:

================================

It is no secret that Matt Sydal is wrestling’s hottest free agent. He and his super agent Larry Sweeney will tell you in every interview they cut. Now there are rumors going around that Sydal isn’t a free agent anymore.

When Sydal signed with Sweeney’s Sweet & Sour Inc. he was promised the world. However, Sweeney was also quick to shop Sydal around. The aerial specialist immediately received attention from Dragon Gate, WWE, TNA, another major Japanese company and of course ROH. Sweeney listened to all offers and played the various promotions against each other.

Now Mike Johnson at www.PWInsider.com broke the story that it looks like billion dollar corporation WWE will be the winners in the Sydal sweepstakes. Although nothing is confirmed or official, Sweeney has also just greatly increased Sydal’s price to ROH officials, perhaps out of ROH’s price range.

“I promised Matt he would make a lot of money when he signed with Sweet & Sour Inc. and he will,” Sweeney said. “I look at one thing and that’s the dollar sign. I don’t care about what the fans want, I don’t care about my clients winning tin belts, I care about them making the most money so I can take my cut. With Matt Sydal I bought low and sold high (Sweeney laughs obnoxiously).”

Sweeney’s comments are actually pretty surprising and maybe telling. Sweeney saying “sold” leads us to believe that the deal is done and just hasn’t been announced yet. Sydal is currently on tour in Dragon Gate and unavailable for comment. Sydal is not currently scheduled for any upcoming ROH shows. Has Sweeney closed a deal with another company? Will ROH officials pay Sydal’s increased wrestling fee?

Right now, Larry Sweeney is exactly where he wants to be. He has all the leverage, control of wrestling’s hottest free agent and he is bound to make a profit. The business side of sports has engulfed ROH.

16 Comments For This Post

  1. Camila Perry Says:

    I love watching wrestling and WWE on TV.wrestling is an awesome sport.-,.

  2. Aiden Thompson Says:

    Sumo wrestling is my all time favorite. i always watch it a lot in Japanese channels.*”*

  3. Alexandra Gibson Says:

    i like to watch wrestling on TV and i have always been a fan of WWE:;-

  4. Johnny P. Says:

    So what you are saying is that you’re a ring rat. In that case, welcome.

  5. Brian Streleckis Says:

    A couple ring rats, and in Aiden’s case, a sumo lover and perhaps a salty circle rat.

  6. Frank Says:

    Speaking of rats (and good segues), Katie Doyle has come out of retirement for the next RW/RR Challenge after a one season absence. So congrats Steve and Johnny, you called her on her bullshit. No Wes and no Suck Yeah Alliance though, which is just heartbreaking. At least Abram is back; its always fun to watch him go mental.

  7. Johnny P. Says:

    You’ll be happy to know I’m posting preview thoughts on this cast in the next few hours.

  8. Brooke Young Says:

    real wrestling only exists on the olympics, the wrestling on WWE is quite scripted:-.

  9. John Philapavage Says:

    I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with you, auto-spam Brooke:)

  10. Depression Treatment  Says:

    WWE Raw has the best action in wrestling, i love to watch wrestling:’;

  11. Arthritis Remedy  Says:

    wrestling is the best sport on earth. i love also UFC-..

  12. Rick Finch Says:

    Okay, this is just lazy.

    “Cash-Strapped Nigerian Prince” is going to be next, telling Burnside the top 10 is too white.

  13. Frank Says:

    Oh, wow. WWE signed Matt Sydal?

  14. Brian Streleckis Says:

    I know! That’s amazing.

    What I’m wondering is what “Erectile Disfunction” and “Anal Leakage” feel about the various grapple sports…

  15. Pedestal Table  Says:

    i love every wrestling star of WWE raw, they are all great**-

  16. Steve Says:

    This post has made more comebacks than Terry Funk.

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