Category: NXT

WWE NXT Preview 7/19/2022

Tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8 pm ET on USA Network:

The 20 participants being promoted for the battle royal are Alba Fyre, Amari Miller, Arianna Grace, Cora Jade, Elektra Lopez, Fallon Henley, Indi Hartwell, Ivy Nile, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Kiana James, Lash Legend, Nikkita Lyons, Sarray, Sloane Jacobs, Tatum Paxley, Tiffany Stratton, Valentina Feroz, Wendy Choo, and Yulisa Leon.

The Rock’s Daughter, Ava Raine, Debuts Nickname In First WWE NXT Promo At NXT House Show

WWE NXT held another live event last night in Orlando, Florida, headlined by Bron Breakker successfully defending his NXT Championship against Tony D’Angelo. Elsewhere on the card, the leader of Toxic Attraction, Mandy Rose, defeated Ivy Nile to retain her NXT Women’s Title, and The Creed Brothers defeated Joe Gacy and a member of the DYAD to retain their Tag Team Titles.

But one of the biggest stories coming out of the show isn’t about the in-ring action at all. Fresh WWE NXT talent Ava Raine, the real-life daughter of The Rock that signed with WWE in February 2020, cut her first promo at last night’s event. She was presented as a heel to the audience as she talked down to Cora Jade and the rest of the NXT women’s locker room.

Raine also revealed what her nickname will be going forward and it’s possibly a nod to a recent horror film. Raine, a fan of cinema influenced by the supernatural, apparent by the many references to “The Craft” (1996) on her social media, was referring to herself as “The Final Girl” during her in-ring promo. The film, “The Final Girls” was a horror/comedy film released in 2015 that first debuted at the SXSW Film Festival before receiving a wider release in the United States later that Fall. The premise of the movie sees the protagonist, Max, along with her group of friends, getting trapped inside a B-horror film where they must use the tropes they’ve learned from watching horror movies to survive. There’s no certainty this film influenced the new description Raine is giving herself in NXT, but the connection is possible.

“The Final Girl” is also a common trope in horror cinema as a whole. She is recognized as the last girl or woman surviving in the film as the story becomes centrally focused on her.

As seen in the photos below, Raine was trending after she dropped the promo last night, signifying that we might be approaching a televised debut for the 20-year-old. She has been teasing her debut for several weeks until last night when she finally revealed her persona to a live crowd.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT “The Great American Bash” Preview 7/5/2022

WWE presents a special The Great American Bash episode of “NXT” tonight, with four title matches on the card.

The following line-up is announced for tonight:

  • NXT Championship Match: Cameron Grimes vs. Bron Breakker (c)
  • NXT North American Championship Match: Grayson Waller vs. Carmelo Hayes (c)
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Cora Jade & Roxanne Perez vs. Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne (c)
  • NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp vs. The Creed Brothers (c)
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Wendy Choo
  • Trick Williams vs. Wes Lee

NXT’s Io Shirai Will Become A Free Agent Next Month Unless She Signs A New Deal

Io Shirai appears to be on a similar path to Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano.

NXT has undergone quite the transformation over the course of the past 12 months. Many of those who were a part of the black and gold brand have been called up, released, or allowed their contracts to expire and moved on. A handful remain, most of whom don’t appear on NXT TV all that often. Io Shirai falls into that final category, but could be an ex-WWE Superstar before long.

That’s according to The Wrestling Observer which has revealed Shirai’s NXT deal expires in August, and she is yet to sign a new contract with the company. What’s more, reports suggest it seems unlikely Shirai will be signing a new contract and will instead return to Japan. Apparently, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion has been telling people close to her that she wants to be closer to her family once her time with WWE is done.

Shirai may well follow in the footsteps of Kairi Sane. However, where Sane worked the remainder of her WWE contract as an ambassador for the company in Japan, Shirai won’t have to do that since her deal will have come to an end, making her a free agent. She’ll be free to return to Stardom, or compete for whatever wrestling promotion she likes, whether it be inside or outside of Japan.

Shirai hasn’t been entirely absent from NXT since its revamp. She has actually featured quite prominently, most recently competing for the Women’s Title at Stand and Deliver over WrestleMania weekend. She has also held the Tag Titles with Zoey Stark since the 2.0 rebrand. Many fans would have hoped Shirai would get a run on the main roster, but unless she re-signs within the next month, that isn’t going to happen.

Shirai will be the latest in a run of NXT Superstars to reject a new deal should she let her contract expire and leave WWE next month. Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Candice LeRae have all opted to do the same thing. Cole and O’Reilly have since shown up in and signed with AEW, while Gargano and LeRae’s next moves are currently unknown as they welcomed their first baby together only a few months ago.

Source: TheSportster

WWE NXT Preview 6/21/22

Tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8 pm ET on USA Network:

WWE NXT Preview 6/14/22

The following is set for tonight on WWE NXT 2.0 at 8/7 C on USA!

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