5 Wrestlers who might change promotions in 2019, and 5 who are staying put
Who's coming, who's going, and why.
Ever since the regional days of professional wrestling, the talent has been switching companies. Wrestling fans have accepted as a given that there will always be superstars who jump between one promotion to another in a never-ending cycle of influx and outflow.
Sometimes this is due to the 'grass is always greener' syndrome, where a wrestler believes they could get a better deal or treatment or ranking by switching to a rival promotion. Another reason is simply because not all seeds grow in all soils. WALTER may be a great PWG champion, but he might not fare so well in Ring of Honor, for example.
Of course, there are those exceptions to the rule. Randy Orton and John Cena will likely end their careers never having left the WWE. But for most wrestlers, there's always at least a chance they will wind up in another promotion.
Here are five wrestlers who could be changing companies in 2019, and five who are staying right where they are.
Might Change: Shinsuke Nakamura
Where he's currently working: The WWE on their Smackdown brand.
Where he might be going: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Why he might change companies in 2019: By all accounts, Shinsuke Nakamura isn't necessarily unhappy in WWE, but NJPW is said to be very determined to get him back under contract. Now that Nakamura is well known in the USA, they hope to springboard off his popularity to continue their march on the US wrestling market.
Odds of changing jobs: 50-50. Nakamura may not be unhappy in WWE, but the opportunity to work in his homeland for fewer dates might be too good to refuse for the veteran Japanese superstar.