By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Tuesday night on WWE's NXT program, Kaval slipped in a not-so-subtle reference to TNA in the middle of his opening-segment rap. While shooting a direct stare into the camera, Kaval declared that he is "the only reason for some total non-stop action" on NXT.

Make no mistake about it, that was a deliberate message to TNA. It was Kaval's way of telling TNA management they missed an opportunity to utilize him when he was in TNA.

Kaval had two runs in TNA, his last ending in late 2007/early 2008. TNA was struggling to find ways to keep him on TV, much less utilize him, leading to his departure after creative essentially had nothing for him.

Now, in 2010, with WWE's hand forced by injuries and retirements, WWE is featuring Kaval on a TV program seen by roughly the same number of viewers as TNA Impact each week. Kaval is getting over with the audience and positioned to rise to the next level on Raw or Smackdown after NXT Season Two.

It's an interesting time in WWE. Bryan Danielson was in the main event of Summerslam. Evan Bourne was recently rubbing elbows with John Cena in TV main events. Kaval is receiving plenty of attention on WWE TV, with the company building momentum behind him as a potential future star.

Wrestlers who were previously restricted by the "independent wrestler" label are receiving opportunities in WWE, which is being noticed elsewhere, specifically in the company Kaval blatantly referred to on NXT. Will the "Danielson/Bourne/Kaval effect" lead to current TNA wrestlers saying, "Well, if Kaval is getting a push on WWE TV, then why can't I?"

Sources in TNA say at least ten mid-to-upper card TNA wrestlers who are under 35-years-old are considering a jump to WWE. Of course, that's a two-way street with WWE having to meet talent on the other side of the proverbial negotiating table.

However, adding in WWE's recent signing of ROH World champion Tyler Black, the group of under-35, mid-to-main event-level TNA wrestlers might see an opportunity to be part of WWE's "youth movement." It comes at a time when wrestlers are grumbling about TNA emphasizing ECW talent rather than building around potential future stars on the roster.

Some of the under-35 crowd in TNA wouldn't be signed by WWE. Despite the potential to be left in limbo without work in WWE or TNA (with the fallback plan of hoping the rumored Wilpon Family promotion in Florida pans out), those wrestlers might believe the risk is worth it following Danielson, Bourne, Kaval, and, perhaps down the line, Tyler Black, as featured talent on WWE programming.

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