The WWE NXT landscape just got a shake-up with the unexpected return of JDC, the star formerly known as Fandango. The TNA Wrestling talent made his presence felt during this week’s episode, interrupting Lexis King’s promo and setting his sights on the Heritage Cup. JDC is now set to challenge for the title on next week’s show.
A Familiar Face Returns to NXT
Lexis King had taken center stage to gloat about his recent Heritage Cup defense against Charlie Dempsey under British Rounds Rules two weeks ago. However, King revealed that moving forward, he would be abandoning the traditional format in favor of standard single-fall matches—a controversial change that immediately sparked debate. Before he could relish his newfound authority over the cup’s stipulations, JDC made his shocking return, signaling his intent to dethrone the champion.
For longtime NXT fans, JDC’s homecoming is a nostalgic one. He last competed for the black-and-gold brand in 2021, where he and Tyler Breeze held the NXT Tag Team Championship in 2020 as Breezango. That reign marked his only championship victory in WWE, closing out a 15-year tenure that saw him rise to prominence, most notably upsetting Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 29 in his main roster debut.
A Career of Ups and Downs
JDC has openly discussed how his WWE career trajectory could have gone differently. He previously claimed he was set to win the Intercontinental Championship in 2013, but an undisclosed concussion reportedly led to backstage heat and derailed his momentum. After his WWE exit in 2021, he reinvented himself on the independent circuit, wrestling for promotions like NWA and GCW under the name Dirty Dango.
In 2022, he resurfaced in TNA Wrestling, a company he had briefly worked for in the early 2000s under his real name, Johnny Curtis. His current moniker, JDC (Johnny “Dango” Curtis), reflects his wrestling evolution, and he has since aligned himself with The System, one of TNA’s top factions.
What’s Next for JDC in NXT?
JDC is poised for a high-stakes showdown with Lexis King next week. Given his experience, charisma, and past connection to the brand, his return could signal a fresh crossover partnership for the TNA star, or it could simply be a one-off special appearance. Either way, NXT fans will be watching closely to see if the former ballroom-dancing showman can once again capture gold in WWE.
Will JDC dethrone King and claim the Heritage Cup, or is this just a brief visit before heading back to TNA? Tune in next week to find out!
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