Former AEW Star Mariah May Shocks WWE Universe With Glamorous NXT Debut

The WWE women’s division just got a whole lot more glamorous.

In a jaw-dropping moment on this week’s episode of WWE NXT, former AEW Women’s Champion Mariah May officially made her WWE debut, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. With recent main roster call-ups like Roxanne Perez, Giulia, and Stephanie Vaquer leaving a talent gap in NXT, May’s arrival sets the tone for a fresh wave of women’s division shake-ups.

Surprise Arrival in the Midst of Chaos

As chaos unfolded during a segment involving new NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and a locker room-wide brawl on the entrance ramp, the lights at the WWE Performance Center flickered — a classic signal that something (or someone) big was about to happen. When they came back on, standing on a platform above the crowd was none other than Mariah May.

With the crowd erupting in disbelief and excitement, May delivered a short but powerful message:
“Ladies, you can call me the next NXT Women’s Champion because the best women’s division in the world just got a lot more glamorous.”

A bold statement from a bold competitor — and one that immediately puts her in the title conversation.

AEW Exit, WWE Entry — Fast and Quiet

May’s transition from AEW to WWE was kept under wraps with impressive secrecy. According to Fightful Select, WWE locked her in on a multi-year deal and made every effort to prevent leaks — to the point where the other women involved in her debut segment were only informed about her presence moments before it went down.

Interestingly, WWE never referred to her by name on air, instead referencing her “glamorous” persona. While fans were quick to spot her identity, the broadcast maintained the mystique. There’s no confirmation yet on whether WWE plans to keep her real name — Mariah May (full name: Mariah May Mead) — or rebrand her with a new ring name, but signs suggest her established identity could remain intact.

No Burned Bridges in AEW

Despite making a high-profile jump to WWE, it seems May left AEW on good terms. Fightful noted that AEW insiders didn’t believe there was any heat or bad blood surrounding her departure. In fact, the promotion reportedly made a strong attempt to re-sign her but knew well in advance that she was likely WWE-bound. Her contract officially expired at the beginning of June, and she wasted no time making her next move.

Fans have long speculated about May’s desire to join WWE, especially with old social media posts highlighting her admiration for the company dating back to before she even entered the wrestling business. And now that admiration has turned into reality.

What’s Next for NXT?

Mariah May enters an NXT women’s division in flux — and primed for new stars. With Jacy Jayne freshly crowned champion and other big names moving up, May is stepping into a golden opportunity to instantly climb the ranks. Her past accolades — including the AEW Women’s Championship and the 2023 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament win — speak for themselves.

Whether WWE chooses to tweak her name or not, one thing is certain: Mariah May has arrived, and she’s ready to make NXT her runway.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for all the latest updates on Mariah May’s WWE journey and everything happening inside the NXT women’s division.