CJP apparently left on good terms. He was rated highly by
trainers and his peers (Kevin Owens singled him out as an underrated guy in an
interview on WWE's website shortly after his debut) and rquested his release,
as opposed to finding himself fired. He's got his eye on a job with New Japan.
Which is understandable but possibly a little lofty at this point.
That Parker wanted out is understandable. He'd been in
the WWE system for four years and in that time had only managed to progress to
the role of NXT's most notable jobber. I enjoyed his work there. I thought the
modern day hippy shtick was uninspired at first but it came to life when the
negative crowd reaction was embraced and he was turned into a preachy eco
warrior. It was a rare example of WWE writers thinking on their feet and
altering their plans to fit with audience reactions.
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| Phenomenal dress sense. |
I also liked the way Parker had become the guy who
debuting fellas defeated. His appearances started to signal to the crowd that
they were going to get to see someone new or watch something noteworthy happen.
For someone who lost pretty much all of his matches that was a good position to
have. And there was potential for a long term story in which CJ acknowledged
his losing streak and went on a quest to end it. That could have turned him
into a bigger name within NXT had it been timed right.
But being the guy who loses to everyone who's going to
get a big push can't have been fulfilling and while the heel hippy gimmick was
enjoyable it clearly wasn't going to get him to the NXT championship, let alone
a meaningful position on the main roster. He was best off doing what he did: politely
asking for his release. He can use the notoriety he's gained on NXT to get work
elsewhere.
The New Japan job he's said to want is, as already noted,
probably out of reach at this point. It's not impossible though. Japanese
wrestling promotions have an esoteric taste in which westerners they select for
prominent roles (look no further than Karl Anderson). He could be just what
they're after to spice up their junior scene. It doesn't seem particularly likely.
As far as Japan goes a stint in NOAH seems like Parker's
best hope. The company's currently going through a restructuring with Jado
implementing the New Japan booking style and attempting to elevate the entire roster
with the invasion of Suzukigun. Parker could be brought in as a fresh face for
the flagging junior division, which seems far less lively than New Japan's. It
would be a low key role but it would be something. And it could lead him to New
Japan thanks to the working relationship the promotions share.
A spot in ROH doesn't seem too farfetched right now.
Tommaso Ciampa recently revealed he was leaving the company because he felt
overlooked, much like CJP had in NXT. The loss of a mid-card guy like Ciampa
and the rumours of WWE gunning for some of the company's leading names could
make ROH keen to sign a reliable fresh face with decent name value. He couldn't
be introduced in a featured spot after losing for so long in WWE, but he could
be rehabilitated for something meaningful over time.
He'll definitely receive offers from the usual suspects:
TNA and the World Wrestling Network. I'd like to see him in the WWN because I
have a soft spot for Sapolsky's approach to booking, although I suspect they're
going to start getting wary about using too many former WWE guys soon. I really
don't want to see Parker lower himself to TNA. Until that company's back on its
feet (which I'm convinced isn't possible with the current creative line-up)
it's best of avoided.
I'll miss CJP on NXT. He was always entertaining. But if
his departure from WWE leads to him getting a better role elsewhere then I'll
be pleased. Plus it opens up a spot for someone new in NXT, even if it is only
that of a featured jobber.
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