All articles tagged with #nxt
WWE announced the John Cena Classic, a one-night event at Backlash pitting main roster stars against NXT wrestlers, with the champion crowned by fan vote and a new title named after Cena; specifics on format and timing were not disclosed.
Talk around the Performance Center suggests NJPW star Hiromu Takahashi could join WWE, with reports that he may debut in NXT under the Naraku or Nox Raijin name. The chatter follows EVIL’s NXT appearance and WWE trademarks around Naraku and Nox Raijin, underscoring Takahashi’s decorated junior heavyweight résumé as a potential WWE signing.
NXT’s latest reset leans into chaos: Tony D’Angelo attacks Tavion Heights before the bell, Kam Hendrix interferes mid‑match, and Will Kross reveals a new name—Mason Rook—after costing both men. The roster is being shuffled with new faces and growing pains, while Kali Armstrong shines and a potential North American Championship four‑way looms for Lizzy Rain, Zaria, Nikita Lyons, and Tatum Paxley. Noam Dar returns and is set to face Jackson Drake next week; Naraku is teased for a debut, and DarkState tensions threaten to fracture the tag division. Keanu Carver’s interview bit lands awkwardly, and while the episode aims for a fresh, chaotic vibe, it often feels scattershot rather than cohesive.
Amid post-Mania roster churn and CW as the new home for NXT PLEs, tonight's episode kicked off with a locker-room shakeup and new arrivals—Tristan Angels, Kam Hendrix, Tavion Heights, Will Kroos, and Lizzy Rain—while Myles Borne barely retained the North American title; EVIL set his sights on Tony D’Angelo; Lola Vice survived a scheme to defend her title; Shiloh Hill defeated Ricky Saints in the main event as NXT tees up a fresh, unpredictable era.
WWE NXT is reportedly kicking off another “new era” with multiple debuts after recent main roster call-ups, including the already announced Lizzy Rain. The episode’s lineup still features matches like Bourne vs Shugars, Hill vs Saints, and BirthRight vs E.K. Prosper & Dorian Van Dux, plus a tease for Tony D’Angelo’s next NXT Championship challenger, signaling a major roster reshuffle ahead of Battleground. Ringside News will provide live coverage.
WWE's developmental brand NXT will relocate its Premium Live Events to The CW in a 20-event, multi-year deal, kicking off with this summer's Great American Bash; the events will be broadcast live on both coasts after previously streaming on Peacock and YouTube, as CW expands its live-sports portfolio.
Insiders suggest WWE’s April 24 roster cuts may not be the end, with potential further exits from the developmental side as leadership reshapes NXT; no official confirmation yet.
Fightful reports Friday’s WWE and NXT releases were largely to make room for new talent, with internal emails indicating Triple H, Nick Khan, and talent relations as primary decision makers; among the main roster cut was Kairi Sane, whose departure surprised fans amid ongoing storylines, along with other names including Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the Motor City Machine Guns, and several NXT talents (Tyra Mae Steele, Luca Crusifino, Dante Chen), while Carlee Bright’s departure was confirmed later and new Performance Center signings are anticipated.
WWE LFG Season 3 drops the team-based, prize-focused format in favor of preparing talent for real NXT TV, meaning contestants can be called up at any moment rather than competing for a single contract; the coaching lineup includes Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Kevin Owens (still involved while recovering from neck surgery), and Natalya, with new episodes airing weekly on A&E after premiering on April 26.
Paige’s surprise return on SmackDown led to her first title defense since coming back, but Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) interrupted and mauled the match, as three NXT call-ups invaded WWE’s main roster amid ongoing roster changes.
Sol Ruca vs. Zaria’s Last Woman Standing capped NXT with a brutal perch-and-table finish and a shocking betrayal, as Zaria turned on Sol to begin her own solo career and seal Sol’s NXT exit. The show also teased DarkState’s breakup, highlighted Myles Bourne’s growth against Dion Lennox, and set up Keanu Carver’s KO on Joe Hendry for a Raw angle. On WWE’s broader slate, Tatum Paxley captured a historic second Women’s Casket Match with the title on the line, Lexis King claimed the Speed Championship, Lizzy Rain debuted, and Izzi Dame challenged Lola Vice, all amid talk of a continuing brand shakeup.
Sol Ruca suffered a brutal Last Woman Standing finish at NXT Revenge, reportedly sustaining a cut and requiring medical attention as the show ended. Zaria returned to ringside and appeared to disrespect Ruca as officials helped her off the wreckage, before Ruca managed to walk to the back with assistance and acknowledge the crowd, sparking conversation about whether overly dangerous table spots should be scaled back.
Roman Reigns vows to be a full-time World Heavyweight Champion after WrestleMania, aiming to defend the belt in May (with Saturday Night’s Main Event as a likely stop) to prove its relevance, while considering defenses in NXT and even AAA. He also targets a definitive feud with Seth Rollins and teases a Crown Jewel clash with the Undisputed Champion, with a potential dream match against El Hijo del Vikingo.
Two unadvertised matches featuring NXT talents were reportedly added to the April 20 WWE RAW lineup: Sol Ruca vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans. The show is also expected to begin with Oba Femi and features a Roman Reigns appearance, with RAW airing live from Las Vegas at 8 PM ET and follow-up coverage promised by Ringside News.
Johnny Gargano unexpectedly snagged a spot as the Men’s North American Championship contender, a booking the author sees as a dig at NXT’s current direction since it sidelined a slate of other contenders. The episode advanced Sol Ruca and Zaria’s emotional feud and lined up more NYC/Stand & Deliver setup (including Kelani Jordan vs. Jaida Parker), while other segments and pacing left the show feeling rough and overly dependent on next week’s builds rather than delivering a strong standalone show.