It was previously reported that EC3 is on his way to WWE and he has even been spotted at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. EC3 was wrestling in the WWE before under the name Derrick Bateman for a short period of time. According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is now official that Ethan Carter III (Michael Hutter) will be returning to the WWE imminently. It is also possible that EC3 will use the same name in WWE as he does own the rights to it.
It was also previously reported that EC3 was recently pulled from a Renegade Wrestling Revolution indie event in Houston, Texas on the day of the Royal Rumble PPV Event. Due to EC3 now being free of his previous obligations, it is now possible that EC3 will be making a Royal Rumble appearance as he is now able to sign with any promotion he wants following his Impact Wrestling departure. The promotion noted on Facebook that EC3 pulled out of the show due to a private family matter. They wrote, “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”
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter