WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.
Former TNA World Champion Mike Santana has officially embraced his new WWE identity, and the story behind the name carries deep personal significance.
After WWE filed a trademark for the name Cruz Montana last week, the NXT newcomer took to social media on Monday to confirm the change and explain the heartfelt meaning behind it ahead of this week’s episode of WWE NXT.
In a post shared on X, Montana revealed that the name was chosen as a way to honor his father, who passed away six years ago.
According to Montana, his father’s death played a major role in one of the most difficult periods of his life, a struggle that ultimately helped shape the person he has become today.
Montana explained that he has always tried to keep his father close throughout his wrestling journey and viewed the new name as another way to carry that connection forward as he begins the next chapter of his career.
He concluded the message by describing himself as “addicted to greatness,” a phrase that appears poised to become part of his WWE presentation moving forward.
Alongside the statement, Montana shared new promotional photos that appeared to have been taken backstage in WWE and included a tag for NXT.
The name change follows Montana’s surprise appearance on last week’s edition of NXT.
The former TNA standout made his debut moments after NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo successfully retained the NXT Championship against Naraku in a brutal street fight. As D’Angelo celebrated his victory, Montana emerged from the crowd inside the WWE Performance Center and locked eyes with the champion.
The segment ended without Montana saying a word, but the confrontation immediately sparked speculation that he could be positioning himself as a future challenger for the NXT Championship.
When Montana first appeared, WWE commentators Vic Joseph and Booker T deliberately avoided mentioning his former ring name. WWE’s social media accounts also referred to him only as a “new face,” leading many fans to suspect a name change was coming.
Those suspicions intensified when WWE filed the trademark for Cruz Montana, and Montana’s social media post has now effectively confirmed that the name will be his new in-ring identity moving forward.
While rebranding established wrestlers has become increasingly common in NXT, Montana’s explanation has already resonated with fans due to the personal story attached to the name.
Though the name may have changed, Montana’s goals appear unchanged.
His debut confrontation with Tony D’Angelo strongly suggested that the former TNA World Champion has his sights set on NXT’s top prize. With his new identity officially unveiled, all eyes will now be on Tuesday night’s NXT to see what comes next for one of the brand’s newest arrivals.
If his first appearance was any indication, Cruz Montana isn’t planning on easing into WWE—he’s arriving with championship aspirations from day one.
Montana’s explanation adds an emotional layer to what could have otherwise been viewed as a standard WWE rebranding, turning the name change into a tribute to the person who helped shape his journey both inside and outside the ring.
WWE fans will soon have another way to watch NXT each week.
ESPN announced on Tuesday that CW Sports programming will begin streaming live through the ESPN app starting August 4 as part of the ESPN Unlimited subscription package. The move is part of the previously announced partnership between ESPN and The CW, which was first revealed earlier this year.
As a result, WWE NXT will be available live on ESPN Unlimited beginning with the August 4 episode. Future weekly episodes will also stream live on the platform while continuing to air on The CW network.
The agreement extends beyond weekly television.
Starting with NXT Heatwave on August 30, NXT Premium Live Events will also be available through ESPN Unlimited. The addition further expands WWE’s presence on ESPN platforms, which began carrying WWE premium live events last September with Wrestlepalooza.
The partnership comes at a busy time for WWE programming on ESPN, as the company prepares for its two-night SummerSlam event on August 1 and August 2.
When the partnership between ESPN and The CW was initially announced, CW President Brad Schwartz highlighted the benefits of combining traditional television with streaming accessibility.
According to Schwartz, the agreement represents a major step forward for CW Sports, allowing fans to access live content across multiple platforms while significantly expanding the reach of the network’s sports programming.
The CW currently offers more than 800 hours of live sports content annually, and much of that programming will now be available through ESPN Unlimited.
In addition to NXT, the ESPN-CW partnership includes a wide range of sports programming.
Subscribers will have access to live coverage of NASCAR events, professional bull riding, college football, college basketball, and other CW Sports broadcasts through the ESPN app.
Fans can access ESPN Unlimited through participating television and mobile providers, while standalone subscription options are also available.
Despite the new streaming option, WWE fans who prefer watching on traditional television won’t see any changes.
NXT will continue airing live every Tuesday night on The CW while simultaneously becoming available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers.
The addition of ESPN streaming gives WWE’s developmental brand another major platform and could help expand its audience as the company continues to grow the NXT product heading into the remainder of 2026.
The new arrangement gives NXT increased visibility across both broadcast television and streaming, providing WWE with another significant distribution outlet as the brand continues to evolve.
WWE Raw live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
WWE may have revealed the new identity of one of NXT’s newest arrivals.
According to records from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, WWE filed a trademark application for the name “Cruz Montana” on July 24. The filing covers wrestling-related entertainment services, including live performances, television broadcasts, radio appearances, and online content.
The trademark filing has quickly sparked speculation among fans that “Cruz Montana” could become the new ring name for former TNA World Champion Mike Santana.
The speculation comes just days after Santana made a surprise appearance on WWE NXT.
Following Tony D’Angelo’s successful NXT Championship defense against Naraku in a street fight, Santana emerged through the crowd and confronted the champion as the show went off the air. The moment immediately generated buzz, as it marked Santana’s first appearance since reportedly finishing up with TNA Wrestling.
However, WWE notably avoided identifying him by name during the segment.
Neither Vic Joseph nor Booker T referred to Santana by his established ring name on commentary, while WWE’s social media posts described him only as a “new face” arriving in NXT.
If Santana is indeed being reintroduced as Cruz Montana, it would continue WWE’s recent trend of assigning new names to incoming talent.
Several performers arriving in NXT have debuted under different identities in recent months, with WWE opting to create fresh branding for stars transitioning into the developmental system.
Because Santana was never officially named during his debut appearance, many fans immediately began connecting the dots once news of the trademark filing surfaced.
At this time, WWE has not officially linked the Cruz Montana trademark to Santana.
Trademark filings do not always result in on-screen usage, and the company has yet to announce whether the name will be assigned to a wrestler, manager, commentator, or another performer entirely.
Still, given the timing of the filing and Santana’s recent debut, many believe the former TNA standout could soon be unveiled under a new WWE identity.
For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Cruz Montana becomes the latest addition to the NXT roster—or if WWE has another surprise planned.
The timing of the trademark filing and Santana’s unnamed NXT appearance has made “Cruz Montana” one of the most talked-about potential rebrands in WWE, with many expecting answers in the coming weeks.
With the 90-day non-compete period for many recently released WWE talents now officially over, speculation is growing that several notable free agents could soon be headed to All Elite Wrestling.
According to a report from F4WOnline, at least seven wrestlers are currently believed to be waiting on deals with AEW. The report cites sources who indicated that multiple talents are in line for potential signings, though no specific names have been confirmed at this time.
One source reportedly told the outlet they were aware of seven individuals awaiting contracts, while another suggested the actual number could be even higher.
Despite the growing rumors, AEW has not publicly revealed any upcoming additions to its roster.
The company is set to present its AEW Redemption pay-per-view from Montreal’s Bell Centre this weekend, but as of now, there have been no reports identifying which free agents could potentially debut at the event.
Fightful Select also followed up on the story, reporting that AEW sources acknowledged there are “several” wrestlers expected to either sign with or debut for the promotion in the future. However, those contacted did not provide any names.
The lack of specifics has only fueled further speculation among fans regarding which recently available stars could be joining the company.
The current free-agent market is one of the deepest in recent memory following WWE’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts.
Among the most recognizable names released earlier this year were Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and the members of the Wyatt Sicks faction.
Several of those names have already generated significant interest throughout the wrestling industry. The Motor City Machine Guns, for example, recently teased receiving an offer from an unnamed promotion in a video posted to their YouTube channel, leading many fans to speculate that AEW could be their eventual destination.
Meanwhile, Aleister Black has frequently been linked to a potential return to AEW due to his previous history with the promotion.
The available talent pool expanded even further after reports surfaced that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods would also be leaving WWE.
According to previous reports, the longtime New Day members opted not to continue under a restructured contract that would have included a pay reduction. Their non-compete clauses are expected to expire in time for AEW’s upcoming All In: London event.
Given their status as one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history, Kingston and Woods would immediately become among the most high-profile free agents on the market.
With All In: London approaching, many fans believe AEW could use the event as a platform to introduce new talent.
The promotion has a history of making major announcements and surprise debuts during its biggest shows, making the timing of these reports particularly noteworthy.
For now, the identities of the wrestlers reportedly waiting on AEW deals remain a mystery. However, with numerous former WWE stars now free to negotiate and compete wherever they choose, the coming weeks could bring several significant roster additions to the company.
As AEW heads toward one of its largest events of the year, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see whether any of the recently available free agents make the jump and become the promotion’s next headline-making acquisitions.
Nikki Bella is back in WWE.
The WWE Hall of Famer made a surprise return during Friday night’s SmackDown, coming to the rescue of Brie Bella and Paige after a post-match assault from Fatal Influence. The appearance marked Nikki’s first major WWE television appearance in months and immediately set the stage for a blockbuster match at SummerSlam.
The chaos unfolded after Brie Bella scored a victory over Lainey Reid, one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Following the match, Reid’s Fatal Influence allies Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley stormed the ring and launched an attack on Brie and Paige. With the numbers advantage in their favor, the champions appeared poised to leave their challengers laid out.
That changed when Nikki Bella’s music hit.
The WWE Hall of Famer rushed to the ring and quickly turned the tide, helping clear out Fatal Influence and giving Brie and Paige the chance to recover. Nikki capped off the return by planting Jayne with the Rack Attack 2.0 before standing over her fallen opponent.
As the crowd erupted, Nikki made her intentions clear, shouting that she was back before confronting Jayne face-to-face.
After Fatal Influence regrouped on the outside, Nikki grabbed a microphone and addressed the trio directly.
Bella accused the group of believing they could arrive from NXT, capture championship gold, and avoid consequences. She reminded them that veterans like herself, Brie, and Paige helped pave the way for the current generation of WWE women’s wrestlers.
She then issued a challenge that immediately became official.
Nikki announced that she, Brie Bella, and Paige will team up to face Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam 2026.
The announcement adds another high-profile attraction to WWE’s biggest event of the summer and marks a rare in-ring reunion for the Bella Twins.
The matchup presents an intriguing clash between WWE legends and one of the company’s fastest-rising groups.
Fatal Influence has made a major impact since arriving on the main roster, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and establishing themselves as one of the division’s most dominant factions. Their success has often come at the expense of veteran stars, including Paige and Brie.
Now, with Nikki Bella entering the picture, the rivalry has escalated significantly.
For Nikki, the match will provide an opportunity to prove she can still compete at a high level while standing alongside two of the most influential figures in WWE women’s wrestling history.
For Fatal Influence, defeating three Hall of Fame-caliber names on one of WWE’s biggest stages would further cement their status as a force in the division.
With the six-woman tag match now official, SummerSlam continues to add major attractions ahead of the two-night event.
The return of Nikki Bella brings additional star power to the card and creates one of the most anticipated women’s matches of the weekend. Whether the veterans can roll back the clock or Fatal Influence can continue their rise remains to be seen, but Friday’s surprise return ensured that the rivalry just became one of the hottest stories heading into SummerSlam.
Nikki Bella’s comeback appearance received one of the loudest reactions of the night, and her reunion with Brie and Paige gives SummerSlam a marquee showdown between WWE legends and one of the company’s most controversial rising factions.
WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.
The closing moments of Tuesday night’s WWE NXT delivered a major surprise as former TNA World Champion Mike Santana made an unexpected appearance following the show’s main event.
Santana surfaced just after NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo successfully defended his title against Naraku in a hard-hitting street fight. The champion scored the victory by driving Naraku through a table with his Dead to Rights finisher before celebrating in the ring.
As D’Angelo stood on the ropes acknowledging the crowd, the atmosphere inside the WWE Performance Center suddenly changed when Santana’s entrance music hit.
The former TNA standout emerged through the crowd and made his way toward the ring, locking eyes with D’Angelo as the broadcast came to an end. The tense staredown immediately created speculation that Santana could be positioning himself as a future challenger for the NXT Championship.
The surprise appearance marks Santana’s first public wrestling appearance since his departure from TNA Wrestling.
Santana recently dropped the TNA World Championship to Nic Nemeth at Slammiversary, and reports shortly afterward indicated that his run with the promotion had come to an end. Rumors quickly followed suggesting WWE was the most likely destination for the veteran star.
His arrival on NXT will not come as a complete surprise to those who have followed WWE and TNA’s working relationship. Santana had previously spent time around the Performance Center as part of the partnership between the two companies, and reports have indicated that he was well-regarded within WWE’s developmental system.
Interestingly, WWE stopped short of officially identifying Santana during the broadcast.
Neither Vic Joseph nor Booker T referred to him by name on commentary, while WWE’s social media accounts described him only as a “new face” arriving on NXT. The company’s decision to avoid using his established ring name has sparked questions about whether Santana could receive a new identity moving forward.
WWE has shown a willingness to rebrand incoming talent in recent months. Several performers arriving in NXT have debuted under new names, including EVIL becoming Naraku and Nikki Blackheart appearing as Reina Volcan.
Whether Santana retains his familiar name or receives a new WWE persona remains to be seen, but his appearance instantly adds another intriguing player to the NXT title picture.
With D’Angelo standing tall after another successful title defense, Santana’s arrival could signal the beginning of the champion’s next major rivalry.
The stare-down that closed the show left little doubt that Santana has his sights set on championship gold. While WWE has yet to confirm his status or future plans, his debut appearance immediately generated buzz among fans eager to see what comes next.
If Tuesday night’s ending was any indication, Santana’s first feud in NXT may involve the brand’s top prize.
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.
