Brian Damage
The WWF/WWE has had some type of developmental system for years now. Whether it was the USWA, Ohio Valley, Power Pro, Heartland, Deep South, Florida Championship Wrestling or NXT…many of the company’s top superstars got their start in at least one of them. While some developmental names like John Cena, Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, The Miz, Brock Lesnar and Charlotte Flair all made big stars of themselves by first training in developmental, others never got to see the light of day. This series will focus on those wrestlers…the ones that at some point were a lock to get called up to the main roster and never quite made it. What once was hot, suddenly became a “not” as a WWE superstar.
TAC
Brandon Carter was an offensive tackle in college for Texas Tech University. He was known for his crazy appearance during games complete with mohawk, face paint and tattoos. After graduation, Carter signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He would also play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys…before ending his football career.
He had a tryout with WWE and in 2012, was signed to a developmental contract. He was assigned to NXT and developed the ring name of TAC. While Carter had size and an outrageous personality, he never had one official match with NXT. TAC suffered a couple of concussions and ended up developing pneumonia. While in the hospital no wrestler or staff from NXT or WWE came to visit him or check up on him. He realized that pro wrestling wasn’t for him. After his release from the hospital, Carter packed his bags and moved back to Texas. He was officially released from his developmental contract in January of 2013.
Brandon Carter now resides in Lubbock, Texas where he works as a personal trainer. He has also been working on opening a restaurant in the area.
Ring the Damn Bell 