Category: NXT

WWE Releases NXT Star Troy ‘Two Dimes’ Donovan

WWE has released NXT star Troy ‘Two Dimes’ Donovan.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Donovan was released on June 11 due to a “policy issue.”  It was not a budget or creative decision.

Meltzer noted that Donovan was told he might be brought back to WWE in a year.

Donovan’s release was also confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.

Before his WWE release, Donovan was part of Tony D’Angelo’s stable on “NXT 2.o.” Earlier this month, on June 4 at “In Your House,” Donovan, D’Angelo, and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo had defeated Legado del Fantasma. Since Legado del Fantasma lost, they had to join D’Angelo’s stable.

Donovan was signed with the mid-March WWE Performance Center Class that also featured Lorenzo, Roxanne Perez, Sloane Jacobs, and Arianna Grace. He made his WWE in-ring debut on the April 8 edition of NXT Level Up, where he and Lorenzo lost to Andre Chase and Bodhi Hayward.

Before signing with WWE, Donovan wrestled as Cole Karter in the indies. As Karter, he wrestled several matches on both AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation.

Donovan took to Twitter to thank his friends and colleagues for their support.

“Thank you to everyone who’s reached out,” Donovan tweeted. “Mistakes happen and lessons are learned. A bump in the road doesn’t define me though. I’ll be back.”

One of those supporters was recent NXT newcomer Thea Hail who encouraged Donovan to “just keep swimming!”

Donovan’s release from the company came as a shock to the “NXT” fanbase as he has become a prominent figure on the show after joining the D’Angelo Family as one of Tony D’Angelo’s wiseguys. “Two Dimes” Donovan, along with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo were two of D’Angelo’s “capos” and a major storyline began developing between that trio and Legado Del Fantasma. A “turf war” was had at NXT In Your House and it was D’Angelo’s crew who came out victorious after Donovan “stacked” Lorenzo on top of Joaquin Wilde for the pinfall. Due to the match stipulation, Legado Del Fantasma was forced to join the D’Angelo Family and there has been teased tension between the factions since.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Apollo Crews Returns To WWE NXT

During last night’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0, former Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews made his NXT return.

Crews came out to confront NXT World Champion Bron Breakker. Breakker had successfully retained the NXT title this past Saturday at “In Your House” against Joe Gacy.

During the promo, Crews said he’s back in NXT for as long as he wants to be and misses being there. He calls Breakker one of the best acts in the entire company and not just in NXT.

Crews also added that he can’t wait to make history with Breakker, but until then, he’ll see him around.

It was interesting that he appeared on NXT as a face receiving a huge ovation.

Later in the night, Apollo joined forces with Solo Sikoa to take on Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller in tag team action. Crews picked up the win for his team after nailing Waller with a spinning powerbomb for the 1-2-3, marking his return to NXT with a victory.

Crews made his NXT debut in August 2015 and in April 2016, was moved to the main roster. He won the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 37 from Big E. Crews would hold the title until August 2021.

Crews was drafted to “Raw” in the 2021 WWE draft, though he hasn’t competed on “Raw,” since the March 21 episode. His last match was on the May 30 edition of “Main Event” against Akira Tozawa.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 6/7/22

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT 2.0 will feature a historic match and the fallout from “In Your House.”

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Final: Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Alba Fyre vs. Tatum Paxley
  • Josh Briggs vs. Von Wagner

WWE NXT In Your House Results 6/4/2022

Tony D’Angelo, Channing Lorenzo & Troy Donovan defeated Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde)
(*losing faction must join the winners’ faction)

WWE NXT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jayce Jane) (c) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter

WWE NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Carmelo Hayes defeated Cameron Grimes (c) To become New NXT North American Champion

WWE NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mandy Rose (c) defeated Wendy Choo

WWE NXT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed & Julius Creed) defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) (c) to become NEW NXT Tag Team Champions

WWE NXT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Bron Breakker (c) defeated Joe Gacy

WWE NXT Preview 5/31/22

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 broadcasts live from the WWE Performance Center with the final buildup for Saturday’s In Your House pay-per-view

WWE NXT Preview 5/24/22

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 broadcasts live from the WWE Performance Center.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. Duke Hudson
  • NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose vs. Indi Hartwell
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly vs. Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp
  • Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Troy “Two Dimes” Donovan
  • Alba Fyre vs. Elektra Lopez
  • Wes Lee vs. Sanga

WWE NXT Preview 5/17/22

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 broadcasts live from the WWE Performance Center.

WWE NXT Preview 5/10/22

Tonight’s WWE NXT 2.0 episode will feature fallout from last night’s NXT Spring Breakin’ special.

WWE NXT Spring Breakin’ Preview 5/3/22

The special Spring Breakin’ edition of WWE NXT 2.0 will air tonight on the USA Network, live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Roderick Strong Reportedly Requests WWE Release

Roderick Strong has reportedly requested his WWE NXT release, but the company has him factored into upcoming creative plans.

Strong has requested his release “multiple times” in the past several months, according to Fightful Select. However, word is that WWE has denied the request.

The veteran pro wrestler is said to be frustrated with many things within WWE over the past year, which led to him asking for his release.

WWE reportedly pitched a name change to Strong, but he was opposed to the idea. There were many people within WWE who were surprised that Strong was not included in the NXT releases made last Friday as he’s made it clear he wants out of the company.

Strong went to England in March for a quick run in NXT UK, defeating Wolfgang on the March 17 taped episode, then coming up short against NXT UK Champion Ilja Dragunov on the taped episode that aired on April 7. Strong lost to LA Knight and Tommaso Ciampa in SmackDown dark matches this past January, and took a WWE Main Event loss to T-BAR that same month, but there’s no word on if he’s being considered for a main roster run. His last NXT 2.0 TV singles match was the loss to Solo Sikoa on March 22, and then he competed in the Second Chance Triple Threat the following week for a spot in the NXT North American Title Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver, which also included A-Kid and the winner, current NXT North American Champion Cameron Grimes.

Strong reportedly re-signed with WWE shortly before The Diamond Mine stable debuted last year. Original plans called for Strong to be in the group with wife Marina Shafir, manager Malcolm Bivens, trainer Hideki Suzuki, Tyler Rust, and Arturo Ruas, but less than one year later Strong is the only member of the originally pitched stable to remain with the company.

WWE recently began a storyline where Strong said he wanted to make changes to The Diamond Mine so they don’t fail like The Undisputed Era did. WWE released Bivens last week, along with 9 other budget cuts, and now the group consists of Strong, The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile.

Strong has reportedly remained professional in his handling of creative week-to-week. It was also noted that WWE officials currently have no plans to release Strong as he is factored into upcoming creative plans.

Source: Wrestling Inc.