Yeah, I'd lean toward more people knowing him as EC3 than Derrick Bateman simply because it's current and Bateman is long forgotten.

And did more people really watch competition era NXT than have seen Impact?

Believe it or not Impact is televised around the world and since joining Impact he's made a name for himself. Plus he does other promotions going by that name. EC3 is also way more marketable than Derrick Bateman. EC3 has beat Kurt Angle and Sting, Derrick Bateman hasn't beat anyone.

Just don't see how you think people would know him more as Derrick Bateman. I never seen the guy until he showed up on Impact and they built him up better than they have anyone in their history. If he comes to WWE, which I hope he doesn't then he has to be EC3.

Would that really surprise you? 300,000 people watch Impact. Over three times as many people watched NXT when it was on Syfy.

I'm sure the current crop of fans have read that he was EC3 in TNA. But this assertion that his stock has appreciated so much because of the name change and because TNA has given him a bigger platform is ridiculous. He's more polished. He can go to WWE as Lester Wonderyears and he'll instantly be more recognizable as that than anything TNA can produce. I'd call him Derrick Bateman, not that the name means anything, but for continuity.

Continuity of what? The guy did nothing in WWE or even NXT. I don't know where you are getting TNA giving him a bigger platform though. Yeah if he comes to WWE he'll be more recognized, same as any other talent that has come to WWE. EC3 is more marketable and its the same reason the kept the names of most other TNA talent. If they can get that name they'll use it.

He was Daniel Bryan's rookie. I think that's got far more value than being Dixie Carter's nephew, or whatever his gimmick is there. They don't even acknowledge TNA. What does it bring over with him? It'd be like bringing over a kayfabe relative of Eric Bischoff to the WWE using that kayfabe gimmick. Also WWE actively go out of their way to not use TNA names.

That does surprise me. Mostly because I forgot NXT was ever televised.

They go out of their way not to mention TNA, not their names. WWE has 4 guys using their TNA/Independent name. Also used Austin Aries and James Storm. Lately if a talent is from the US or Canada and has any name value they'll let them keep it if possible. EC3 being there before is different but that character never got established and likely repackaged once NXT was rebooted if he stayed.

Tut tut Noid.

Looking at a bit of detail; the season of NXT that he appeared on wasn’t even on SyFy. I can’t find any specifics for viewing figures once it went to a web-only show. Meanwhile you quote TNA’s current (awful) viewership when he’s been with the company since 2013 when viewership wasn’t so bad. The last episode on Spike did nearly 1mil in viewers - similar to the NXT on SyFy figures you quoted.

Ultimately I’m not all that bothered. I just think “Derrick” is a terrible name. Derrick is not a superstar, he’s a dork that works in IT.

It’s all moot anyway; give it 6 months he’d just be “Bateman”.

It inherited the ECW slot.

Shall we settle on Nathan Bateman?

My point is that more people are familiar with NXT and the WWE things than the TNA things. Derrick Bateman has also appeared on SmackDown and Saturday Morning Slam. I know we live in a smarky-smark bubble, but most people don't even know TNA exists. This idea that his run there has been prestigious in any sense other than his performative development is ridiculous.

Most people probably have forgotten that Derrick Bateman ever existed. But those same people aren't exactly champing at the bit to get "Ethan Carter's" autograph either. I'm not trying to state that Derrick Bateman was a big star. Just don't blow smoke up my ass and tell me that EC3 is.

I don't like Derrick either, but again, I'd rather keep the continuity. D.C. Bateman. Run with the American thing.

Derrick Carter Bateman?

-edit- I see the Bateman not being on the SyFy version thing was already addressed.

I agree that calling him EC3 would be silly too just because A) Who gives a fuck about his TNA name and B) It's a reference to Dixie Carter, which is weird. But If they DID go with EC3, more people would probably recognize him as that than as Derrick Bateman. You gotta look at who watched the NXT web series too. It wasn't a ton of casual viewers. It was the same type of people who are likely to watch TNA. NO ONE who isn't aware of him in TNA is gonna remember Derrick Bateman from WWE TV. Might as well just give him a different name completely.

... "USA Guy".

Sure.

"USA Guy" D.C. Bateman.

I like it.

No, but the show was exposed to so many people, and it left the network with 1 million viewers. I'm sure not everyone jumped over, but I think everyone is underestimating the reach of the WWE and overestimating TNA's. I think people are conflating his push in TNA with being at the bottom of the hierarchy in WWE. But more people are aware of who Heath Slater is than have ever seen Kenny Omega.

The only reason he was signed by TNA was because he was a WWE reject anyway. It was "Hey, look at what they're getting Derrick Bateman to do in TNA." I agree with your reasoning in both A and B.

That comparison doesn't work simply because Slater and Omega are both current. I think everyone's realistic with both WWE and TNA's reach. If Derrick Bateman and EC3 both somehow exist right now, Bateman wins. I think they're both relatively insignificant though. Where EC3 takes over is the fact that he's someone many are currently aware of and Bateman is long forgotten.

Sound reasoning. I think you hit it on the head when you point out they are both insignificant. That's why I'd rather go with the WWE name just for the continuity sake. I wouldn't be heartbroken if he got a new one though. I just definitely wouldn't go with EC3.

"Rock, Flag and Eagle USA #1 America Fuck Yeah" D.C. Bateman

I'm fine with that. :y:

Anyone else think Bateman and Chris Masters will show up at the Rumble?

Bateman definitely not , I'd feel sorry for the poor guy if he turned up as a surprise entrant in Philly. I'm guessing if he is to come over then it would be at the Takeover event.

Just wish Matt Striker were still around so that if he did show up at the rumble he could be like "OH MY GOD! Derrick Bateman is in the Royal Rumble! I'm marking out, bro!!!"

“HOLY SHI”

I don't think either is really "big" enough for the Rumble. I'm predicting Jeff Jarrett, Big Show and Rey Mysterio as surprise entrants.

Jeff Jarrett?? I can't see that at all. He's not exactly a WWE favorite and he's not a big enough star for them to bring him in despite it.

Jarrett? He's been a total disaster.

Jarrett could just for the fact that WWE has helped him with rehab recently.

Would honestly mark out if Hulk Hogan shows up as an entrant.

If Lashley is done with TNA, I'm certain he'll be a mystery entrant.

Rumble doesn't mean much anymore with two world titles. Let Hogan win it. Why the fuck not.

I know you're joking but it would be great. Hogan would get his 3 rumble win.

I'm BARELY joking.

He just went through their rehab program. Not sure how long they'd want to wait before they used him, but I imagine he'll talk to people at the company. He's got that "outsider" factor that Bischoff had when he came in. No one thinks they'll see it, despite there realistically being nothing stopping it from happening now that he's not running his own indy.

It's a bit of a throw away appearance for a guy that they should have a giant stiffy for, isn't it?

I think they're more about trying to make for a memorable Rumble moment.

I could see Lashley showing up, eliminating some dudes straight away, and then showing up on either Raw or SmackDown that week depending on which GM "signed" him.

According to the Observer, earliest WWE can sign him is February 1st. EC3, who they also want a lot, can be in the Rumble since his release didn't include a no compete clause.

TNA lol

Yeah, but why. Derrick Bateman isn't exactly AJ Styles. Royal Rumble guys are people you're supposed to recognize.

The big 4 PPVs are predominantly smarky audiences that travel significant distances to go to those shows. I think Bateman would get a pretty big pop at the Rumble.

Can't say the same for when he shows up on Raw or SD in Waco, TX or whatever though.

I'm convinced Bateman will be there.

He'll get a "pretty big pop," but to what end? You're better debuting him with some sort of purpose. Him showing up just to get tossed like everybody else instantly suggests he's just another body on the roster.

Bateman's canceled his scheduled indy appearance in Houston. It was the same day as the Rumble.

Lashley could be Apollo Crew's kayfabe cousin and flourish in Titus Worldwide

If Lashley comes in, he DESPERATELY needs a mouthpiece.... As soon as he opens his mouth, he loses at least 75% of his draw. Stick him with Byron Saxton. "I'm tired of all the shit I've been getting, I've found someone who will force all of you to take me more seriously."

So EC3/Bateman whatever you want to call him has been spotted at the Performance Centre, more than likely he would go to NXT first .
But if they did want to use him on the main roster, then maybe he could play somehow into the Angle/Jordan storyline, using his past with Dixie Carter.
Just shooting some ideas , I'd team him up with Kanellis in NXT depending on if he's out of rehab yet.

I could see Bateman being in the Rumble as a surprise and then going down to NXT afterwards for a stint.

Given that they've held off on debuting Rockstar Spud, I wonder if they might stick him with Bateman and they'll rehash their TNA schtick.

I forgot completely about Spud , that's four guys all from a very close area signed to WWE now.

BrotherVito if Spud's twitter page is anything to go by then I think you could be right. Four days ago he tweeted a picture of himself and EC3 saying 'There is an entire Universe to conquer.'