01/22/07: Dr. Tom Prichard Returns to WWE, Replacing DeMott

Never say never in pro wrestling. After being unceremoniously dumped by Johnny Ace in a big housecleaning, Dr. Tom Prichard has returned to WWE and the job that he loves, training future superstars. Prichard will be heading down to Deep South Wrestling, taking over the role of head trainer that opened after Bill DeMott (fka Hugh Morris) was released on Thursday.

The announcement was made on WWE.com earlier today, with Prichard making the comments that he doesn't want to look back, but look forward. Indeed, Prichard had spent much of the last two years heavily lambasting WWE and head of Talent Relations, John Laurenitis, over his release and how much of the fresh talent heading into WWE was chewed up by Laurenitis' unsatisfiable appetite for immediate gratification and ratings. Prichard has now changed his views, stating that he is grateful for another chance to again work with up-and-coming talent.

Prichard was previously the Developmental Head Trainer for WWE Developmental talent, at the time overseeing just Ohio Valley Wrestling before his release. Prichard now walks into the similar position on a slightly smaller scale, building on the work of Bill DeMott in Deep South Wrestling. Pirchard stated that he was impressed with how prepared the new talent is and how far DeMott has brought them. Prichard also addressed the main problem he's complained about, as mentioned above. Recognizing Laurenitis' zeal in bringing up talent before they're ready, Prichard hopes to use his 20+ years of practical experience inside the ring and on the road to prepare the future generations of WWE talent.

With Al Snow's full-time return to trainer in Ohio Valley Wrestling, perhaps we can expect to see better prepared individuals ready for nationwide TV action, who won't suffer from crappy gimmicks and early burnout, a fate suffered by too many talented individuals such as Doug and Danny Basham, Chad and Tank Toland, Mike and Todd Shane, or even the horde of Tough Enough and Diva Search participants who were brought in, not prepared enough and subsequently released.

As for Prichard's return, it isn't surprising. One thing I've come to expect in the WWE over the years is that when opportunity presents itself, even the most scorned individual will do a lot of public asskissing if it is to their advantage. Prichard has had a few years away from WWE now, working occasional indie shows and running a lot of his own training camps. I think Prichard could have done a lot of good permamently setting up his own camp in Tennessee and attracting a lot of potential talent from the surrounding states, but given the current state of affairs of indie wrestling in the southern states, perhaps taking a role at DSW in Georgia was the better move, both for Prichard's bank accounts as well as for future developing talent. DSW is the evolution of NWA Wildside and former NWA promoter Bill Brehens, who previously was the hot spot for collecting some of the best indie talent in the deep south and east coast territories. It can be tough to go against the flow when you're on your own and outside the loop of where the stars are going.