Though the former "Fallen Angel" is now remembered as one of the top names on the Indies never to be given a run with the WWE that isn't entirely true. As if we look back to the late 1990's specifically 1998 the WWE actually signed Daniels to a developmental deal and would keep Chris around an enhancement talent. However, a story that not many fans know is that during his stay in developmental his training was going well & WWE management was impressed with him enough at the time to consider giving him a push. The main roster spot that Daniels was up for is a spot in the stable led by Gangrel & the stable would also include Edge.
However, based on input from Edge the WWE selected Christian instead to be the third member of The Brood and the rest as they say is history. But one can't help but wonder how different Daniels career would've been had he stayed with the WWE and got this main roster spot. Hindsight I think the WWE made the right decision as Edge & Christian had the track record of already established chemistry to build off and they wouldn't have had to start from square one like Daniels & Edge. Now it is very known that The Brood was designed to be a springboard for Edge so I don't know if Daniels would've been given the opportunity to succeed in WWE either way. Looking the career Daniels has put together for himself though especially his success in the tag team division, I don't think this should be looked at as anything more than another what if situation. The one thing I will point out is that honestly had Daniels remained with WWE I don't think he would've become as big a star in TNA & ROH like he has become. In reality I guess that is the blessing in a sea of "what ifs."
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The series continues as we once again look on the long list of names that have at one time or another fought for ROH. In the past we looked back at two former World Champions in Nigel McGuinness & Xavier. But now we are going to look back at one of the names that was a World Champion in ROH but just not the ROH World Champion. Early on in his career Brent Albright became a often hired local jobber for the company to use on the many B-Shows they would have and this later led to Brent getting a contract. In 2003, Albright was signed to a developmental deal with WWE and was sent to the then main developmental territory in Ohio Valley Wrestling.
During his time in OVW he would become the first person ever win all three of the active OVW titles at some point holding the Heavyweight title, Southern Tag Team, and Television. Albright would engage in competitive feuds with CM Punk, Ken Doane, and Johnny Jeter while working down in OVW before getting the call to join WWE. Though the initial plan for Albright was really good as he would slowly become the mentor of Chris Benoit and would likely get a push, but for whatever reason his original plan was scrapped and he would leave WWE within the year of being called up. The man once known as Gunner Scott would be back on the Indies by the fall of 2006 and it was then when he found a home away from home in ROH. It didn't take long for Albright to not only become a fixture in various companies but also associated with top heels of the time in ROH like Jimmy Jacobs, Larry Sweeney, and Lacey. Though his accomplishments in ROH are more merit based and many cases of the skills that Albright had to show he would be a staple of Ring of Honor from 2006 until 2009. Remaining with the company to their first taster of national TV expansion showing everyone the amount of potential that he had, but if only he could put the package together. However, the biggest moment of Albright's career did actually happen in a ROH ring back in August 2008 when Brent Albright made Adam Pearce submit to win the NWA World Title. Now even though at the time the NWA wasn't the brand it was in the past or what it has become today, but winning the title still did mean something, and though Albright didn't hold it too long it was a great accomplishment none the less. There is no doubt that Albright was a very skilled in ring competitor, but had something missing from his game that if he was able to find could've been something special. Either way though he is one of those names we remember from the past of Ring of Honor. |
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December 2021
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