>>17362371kenny was almost in WWE. he passed a tryout in 2005, went to DSW on a developmental contract, but he requested his release next year because he didn't like the promoters or being trained by bob holly. he liked johnny ace a lot though.
he said he felt like they were hampering his creativity, and he was definitely right. especially under vince, kenny never would have been allowed to make himself into the star he became.
WWE tried to get him again in 2014, thrice in 2015 and in 2019; this was after he made a name for himself in japan, and the last one would have been after he formed AEW. but kenny coming to WWE at this time would have been terrible - vince was entering his senile era, and he just would have been made into fodder for roman to go over to try to get over (and it wouldn't have worked) while still being handicapped on what he would be allowed to do in the ring. plus, kenny has never been a promo guy and that's what really matters in WWE.
kenny does not give a shit about the lion's share of what the WWE prioritizes in wrestling. they're just on two different pages. if HHH (who kenny likes) took over earlier than he did, maybe things would be different. i don't know when his contract is up, but unless tony both fires him tomorrow and the fed writes a check so big it cannot be refused, it probably won't happen now that he's old and sawdusted.
