Former Impact Wrestling Star Reportedly Returning To WWE, NXT Now Following Him On Twitter

It looks former Impact Wrestling star Ethan Carter III (EC3) is joining WWE.

According to Dave Meltzer in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Carter will be returning to WWE soon after working in the company’s developmental system and NXT from 2009 through 2013 as Derrick Bateman.

The official WWE NXT Twitter account is now following the two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion on Twitter.

EC3 finished up with Impact last week and he was released early from his contract, which was set to expire later this year.

According to PWInsider.com, he was spotted at the WWE Performance Center on Tuesday.

Real name Michael Hutter, 34, he owns the rights to the EC3 name. Impact Wrestling has already made it clear that they will allow wrestlers to use their gimmicks anywhere they want after the way legal went down with the Matt Hardy case. Whether WWE will want to use it is a different question.

EC3 is free to sign with any company now, which means he could appear at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 28th. EC3 was booked for a Renegade Wrestling Revolution independent wrestling event in Houston on the day of the Rumble, however, EC3 backed out of the show last week. The promotion commented on EC3 pulling out of the event, writing on Facebook:

“BREAKING NEWS!!!!!! Do to reasons out of RWR control EC3 will not be able to attend RWR “OVER THE TOP”. EC3 has said he will be back to RWR in the near future. We here at RWR wish EC3 the best and will see him soon. But the show must go on so straight from the office of RWR a new main event has been set Champion Ayden Cristiano will now have defend his title verus not 1, not 2, but 3 of the regions top Heavywieghts. So on January 28th at RWR “OVER THE TOP” you will see Ayden Cristiano vs Able Andrew Jackson vs Big Daddy Yum Yum vs Ryan Davidson. Plus so much more. Check out our new flyer to get all the information.”

When asked why he pulled out of the show, an RWR representative replied, “Unfortunately it is a private family matter. He is ok just has to be with family. But don’t be discouraged there isn’t shortage of talent on this card.”