WWE Reportedly Signs A Former Talent

[Heisenberg]

Source: PWTorch
WWE has reportedly re-signed the former A-Train/current Giant Bernard for the New Japan Wrestling promotion. Bernard will report to WWE after WrestleMania, according to the Wrestling Observer. Bernard's re-hiring will likely be for a bodyguard-type for on-air heel authority figure John Laurinaitis. Earlier this week, Bernard was asked on Twitter if he's been contacted by any U.S. promotion to be on their TV. Bernard simply replied, "Nope." In NJPW, Bernard had a recent IWGP Tag Title run with Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson.

Awesome news, I was a fan of A-Train back on SmackDown years ago and he had a good look and his size helped it as well. Hopefully he gets used right this time though and having him back as a bodyguard type of guy for John Lauranaitis will get him great heat and have him get more TV time and stay relevant, similar to what it has done to Otunga being with Johnny Ace. Hope he comes back as an active wrestler at the same time as he can clearly still go and maybe with him being partnered with Ace he'll get a championship run. Good addition to the big men in WWE and that way the other big men such as Show, Henry, etc can have nice matches. It's also very smart that he didn't go blabbing his mouth about his contact with WWE like others have. Business needs to be kept professional. With all that being said, does this mean Johnny Ace will win at Mania or what? I don't know..

Are you looking forward to seeing him back and what his return is going to be like? Post your thoughts.

 

[rcoot93]

Forgot all about Albert/A-train he has a good look for a bodyguard rle and can wreslte if they need him to so good move

 

[AZUCAR!]

He's had good success in Japan since he started touring there years ago, so it'll be a big blow to NJPW. Be interesting to see him in a Bodyguard role if that's what WWE's plan is for him.

 

[Chris]

Wow, I really hope this is true. I was always a big fan of A-Train, thought he had a very distinct look, just needed to improve his in-ring skills. I haven't seen anything of him in Japan, but from what I've heard, he's doing really well. Terrific signing by WWE if this is true.

 

[The Cork]

Always liked him for a big man, havent seen any of his Japan stuff but heard only glowing reviews, so looks to be a good catch. Not sure how old he is now though.

Hopefully this doesnt mean Otunga is getting binned.

 

[Deuce]

If this is true, I will be happy to see the guy back in the WWE, he has talent for sure. I heard he's done pretty well in Japan since he left so he probably improved his skill even more, I wonder what his first gimmick in the WWE will be.

 

[The New F'n Show]

He has been fantastic in Japan with Anderson. Mostly kept in the tag ranks though. Solid signing as he could be a solid bodyguard and midcard guy.

 

[Chris]

Always liked him for a big man, havent seen any of his Japan stuff but heard only glowing reviews, so looks to be a good catch. Not sure how old he is now though.

Hopefully this doesnt mean Otunga is getting binned.

He's 39 now, older than I thought.

 

[AZUCAR!]

The Wrestling Observer reported that former WWE superstar Matt Bloom (A-Train, Prince Albert) was to return to the company after Wrestlemania 28.

However, the current Giant Bernard with New Japan Pro Wrestling tweeted, “Haha! False. Wife just had a baby. I’ll be on next tour.”

:hm:

 

[chefboyardee]

i was never a fan.i didnt care about him a decade ago and i care even less now.

 

[PHX]

Either he just went ahead and squashed that real fast or just doesn't want it put out there yet so his return can be a bit of a surprise. Not like he was ever a big deal for it to be a big deal that his return could have leaked but yeah. He was decent in WWE but has sounded like he has gotten much better since being over in Japan.

 

[Slim]

I didn't care for him initially. He did appear to get better overseas so it'll be interesting to see how he is when he returns... but consider me underwhelmed by this news.

 

[Dale]

Not a marquee return by any stretch of the imagination but certainly one I would endorse. Like many others i've not seen anything of him since he left the WWE but heard he's been getting lots of rave reviews for his stuff in Japan.

I'm pretty sure they've already crossed paths but I feel like this is eventually going to lead to Cena taking down yet another monster in his path.

Also, I think it's fair to say he won't be returning as 'Prince Albert' as they wont want the PG audience googling that

Edit:

Matthew Bloom, who previously wrestled as Prince Albert, Albert and A-Train for WWE, denied on Twitter on Saturday that he has signed a contract to return to the promotion after WrestleMania XXVIII as he will be appearing for New Japan Pro Wrestling on their next tour. He also said that he does not know how the rumor got started, calling it "comical." Regarding the rumor, four WWE sources have said within the past week that he is returning to the organization, with one saying it has been assumed for two months that is was happening. Furthermore, numerous WWE performers were talking about his pending return at Friday's live event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada after being informed by management of the news.

A source close to creative says he is set for "a big push" upon his return to WWE programming in April as a villainous henchman for Raw Interim General Manager and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis. F4WOnline.com reported that there has been talk of Bloom feuding with John Cena since the Raw Superstar does not have a post-WrestleMania XXVIII program in place at the moment. However, the note of Bloom possibly feuding with Cena has since been deleted.

Bloom, who will turn 40 years old in November, previously competed for WWE from 1999 to 2004 as a mid-card wrestler. He tore his rotator cuff in June 2004 and was released from his contract before returning from the injury. He would go on to achieve greater success in Japan as Giant Bernard in a tag team partnership with Karl Anderson.

Pretty much called it.

 

[John McHenry]

Didn't he get fired for refusing to shave all his body hair or not wearing a shirt in the ring?

Don't see why they had to hire him back for this role as basically anyone can fill this type of spot.

 

[SAIYANS]

I still have to laugh at his interview where he talks about facing Stephanie and her complaining that he wasn't hitting her hard enough, and him aging he kept saying you're Vince's daughter. That always cracks me up. Solid hire if he comes in to be Otungas partner or bodyguard