James Storm shared his reasons for not signing with WWE despite receiving an offer.
As one of the few original TNA stars who never transitioned to WWE, Storm made several appearances on NXT in 2015, achieving victories over competitors like Danny Burch and Adam Rose.
While many of his TNA peers, including former tag team partner Bobby Roode and AJ Styles, joined WWE at the same time, Storm opted to stay with TNA instead. He recently shared his reasons behind this decision.
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Storm discussed his conversations with WWE, revealing that he was prepared to join the NXT roster full-time. He even focused on his fitness after receiving advice from William Regal. However, when WWE altered their original offer, things took a turn.
“They extended a contract to me. I went home and then got a call from Legal saying, ‘We really want to sign you.’ I was all set to sign the contract and was told to confirm. I lost 20 pounds and was in great shape when I returned. Everyone remarked on how different I looked. I worked hard, but when I got back, the contract had been modified. They added 25 additional dates but didn’t increase the pay.”
James Storm’s Decision
Storm mentioned that TNA also presented him with a lucrative offer to return, which was better than WWE’s, and he informed NXT officials of this. He also shared that his wife wanted to have another child at that time, leading him to prioritize family over the WWE opportunity:
“At that time, my wife was looking to have another child, and she had to go through treatments. We reached a consensus, and she said, ‘If they can offer this, you have my blessing to sign.’ I told her, ‘I can’t do that.’ Eventually, I decided, ‘Sorry, but my wife gave me the go-ahead to decline, so I’m going home.’
Ultimately, the 48-year-old had a final discussion with Triple H, who indicated that Vince McMahon was a fan of Storm’s character, hinting at a future call-up to the main roster based on his experience. However, WWE executives stated that Storm turned down the offer since they couldn’t meet his requirements. He reflected that it was one of the hardest decisions he’s faced, yet in retrospect, it was the best choice for him and his family.
Fan Take: This news is significant for NXT fans as it highlights the tough choices wrestlers face between family commitments and career opportunities. Storm’s story emphasizes the importance of personal priorities in an industry often driven by competition and ambition, showcasing the human side of professional wrestling that resonates with many fans.
