The WWE’s developmental program has a lengthy history dating back to the late 1990s and produced the OVW 4, Shelton Benjamin, and Kurt Angle among others. Prior to that, the WWE used affiliated promotions to add some seasoning to potential superstars.
A prime example of this is the USWA—United States Wrestling Association. The company was owned by Jerry Jarrett –and later Jerry Lawler in its final days—and booked by both as well Bill Dundee.
The USWA saw future stars such as The Undertaker, Kane, Steve Austin, and The Rock in its ring. With its focus on strong promo work, blood feuds, and willingness to present outrageous characters such as the Christmas Creature, the Memphis approach was a great fit for WWE at the time.
Developmental Supplies the Attitude Era
In 1997, the USWA closed down but WWE was still able to train talent via the Funkin’ Conservatory, operated by Dory Funk Jr.
However, there was still a relationship with Les Thatcher’s Heartland Wrestling Association. If talents were heavily honed in Ohio Valley Wrestling, a couple would head to HWA as a finishing school.
Talents that came out of that included D’Lo Brown, Matt Bloom as Baldo, Rico Constantino who would become Rico, Charlie Haas, Lance Cade who became Garrison Cade, and the greatest OVW Heavyweight champion of all time Nick Dinsmore—better known as Eugene.
Kurt Angle’s Short, Explosive Run in Memphis
This is about Power Pro Wrestling. Formed in April 1998, its main claim to fame was as the place where Kurt Angle actually got the grasp of wrestling.
Mind you, he wasn’t in Power Pro all that long. After turning down a 10-year contract in 1998, he got another shot with the company after a change of attitude.
Angle’s tryout was a success and he was given a 5-year contract and after a few indy bookings, he was assigned to Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis in March 1999.
Having watched a lot of 1999-2000 Power Pro, this promotion wasn’t that good as far as weekly TV is concerned. The highlights were when the seasoned managers spoke and when developmental talent dropped some dope matches.
When it came to Kurt Angle, his program with a potential-packed Steve Bradley was the biggest highlight. While Angle won the PPW Heavyweight title from JR Smooth—Rikishi—his developmental career is linked with Bradley.
The two of them wrestled exciting, athletic matches within Power Pro’s stylistic approach. In his Hall of Fame speech and on his podcast The Kurt Angle Show, he shouts out the late Bradley and how wrestling him really prepared him for WWE.
Also, his bouts against other talents showed he grasped the basics ridiculously fast and was able to advance further at a pace that allowed him to hit WWE’s main television shows by October.
His marketability in addition to his talent were big reasons as to the express lane call up but that brief stint in Memphis allowed for a constant test run for the WWE Hall of Famer.
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