WWE Rumors: Three Top Women's Independent Wrestlers Signed

That 2017 women’s tournament looks like it could happen with WWE signing three top female stars from the independent wrestling circuit.

WWE’s women’s wrestling has been on the rise throughout 2016. This most notably included longer matches, more in-depth feuds, and Hell in a Cell between Sasha Banks and Charlotte. It started in NXT with the longer and critically acclaimed matches, and eventually began to transition to the main roster by the summer of 2015.

Earlier this fall, we noted how WWE would continue their women’s revolution by making a tournament similar to the Cruiserweight Classic in early 2017. This would be exclusive to the women, but there hadn’t been any names confirmed.

Well, it seems these following talents are likely for the rumored tournament, and if it doesn’t happen, they’ll still be with the company anyway. PW Insider reports that independent women’s wrestlers Heidi Lovelace, Kimber Lee, and Cheree “Evie” Crowley have signed with WWE. They are expected to report to the Performance Center on January 3, 2017.

Lee appeared on Wednesday night’s episode of WWE NXT, losing to Ember Moon. She’s a 26-year-old with plenty of experience in CHIKARA, Shimmer, and Shine. This includes tag title reigns in the latter two promotions with Cherry Bomb, now known as “Allie” in TNA.

Lovelace is a 25-year-old who has starred across the independent wrestling scene, competing in similar promotions to Lee (CHIKARA, Shimmer, Shine). She also had a stint in the old WWE territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Evie is the oldest of the bunch at 28-year-old from New Zealand. She too has wrestled in Shimmer and Shine and is a former tag team champion in the former with Lovelace.

These three women are some of the best wrestlers across the independent scene, which are huge gets for WWE for not only the company but the rumored women’s tournament. It signals a greater emphasis on the women’s division as NXT will first be bolstered, followed by the main roster once these talents move up. This is a sign of big things to come in 2017, and we’re only just getting underway.