On a recent episode of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, Canadian professional wrestler “Speedball,” Mike Bailey, discussed his decision-making process behind joining WWE NXT after an arrest led to a five-year US work ban. His limited work opportunities in the US eventually led him to sign with TNA Wrestling in October 2021, amid a hiring freeze.
During the podcast, Bailey gave a detailed account of his journey: “I made my debut in TNA, now IMPACT, in January 2022. However, it was a prolonged journey. On the day my ban was lifted, I posted a small video highlight introducing my comeback, and that got a lot of attention. It led to conversations with many people and got me a short stint with NXT until they let me go without hiring me officially. I had preliminary discussions with TNA and some people from AEW, received several offers, and eventually accepted NXT’s. However, just days after I submitted the paperwork for my visa, NXT began to release many people, including the person who had recruited me. Even though they assured me that my contract was in the mail, the following day, I received an email saying that due to new hiring guidelines, they were terminating my recruitment process.”
He also recalled his communication with WWE’s Canyon Ceman at the time, saying: “This was a significant move for me, and I was extremely anxious. I had taken serious steps to move my entire life to Orlando, and then this happens again. Nevertheless, I reconnected with everyone I had spoken to before and ultimately signed with TNA, now IMPACT. My only wish was that WWE could have granted me the visa and flown me down, so I would at least have something to show for my efforts, instead of me just sitting at home.”