Tag: WWE NXT

Report: Giulia to sign with WWE, fulfill remaining dates

Giulia has reportedly agreed to sign with WWE.

NXT regularly introduces new signings to packed crowds at premium live events, providing fans the chance to greet them in what’s essentially their debut. It sparks buzz and anticipation for when they eventually become full-time players in WWE’s developmental brand,

At Saturday’s NXT Stand and Deliver, the camera panned to former STARDOM talent Giulia, seated next to William Regal and former STARDOM official Rossy Ogawa, as commentary introduced her to the home audience. While not mentioned as a new member of the roster, she had long been speculated as WWE’s next potential big-name addition.

It comes with little surprise that just days later, Fightful Select (subscription required) reports that Giulia has agreed to sign with WWE. Before transitioning, she’ll fulfill remaining dates, including a stint with Ogawa’s upcoming promotion. One of those final matches will happen on Thursday, April 12 at Korakuen Hall, where she’ll tag with Syuri against Hanan and Mayu Iwatani.

Interestingly, the report reveals WWE offered Giulia more money than AEW, while also not using an agent in negotiations. Regal and Ogawa were also pivotal in the process.

Regarding Giulia’s potential start date with NXT, Fightful Select adds she could begin at any time as she currently remains in the U.S.

WWE signing Giulia marks its first significant acquisition from outside the company in 2024, after not landing Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay and Mercedes Moné. While prioritizing and succeeding with internal talent development the last few years, bringing in the Italian-Japanese star could signal a shift in strategy. She’s a credible, decorated title holder — arguably too proven for NXT. But the same applied to Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and other talents who established themselves outside of WWE before signing.

Now, it’s a waiting game to see when Giulia makes her next appearance and the level of promotion NXT gives her off the bat. Whenever it happens, particularly as top stars transition to the main roster, she’ll be a welcomed presence for the weekly show and the occasional premium live event.

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How to watch NXT Stand and Deliver: Live stream US, international

A look at how to watch NXT Stand and Deliver this Saturday, April 6.

Two nights of WrestleMania 40 may dominate the spotlight, but there’s another marquee WWE premium live event taking place over the weekend. NXT is set to present Stand & Deliver on Saturday, April 6, at the Wells Fargo Arena. Located just outside of Lincoln Financial Field, where the Grandest Stage of Them All will unfold, this event promises to deliver its own action and excitement.

Stand and Deliver features no shortage of rising stars, headlined by Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. These two were once allies, climbing the ranks together. However, months of tensions finally reached a boiling point when Hayes revealed himself as Williams’ backstage attacker, setting up their clash.

This will serve as their grudge match, potentially before one or both of these superstars move to the main roster. Hayes had a taste of the main roster on SmackDown, and Stand & Deliver might be his last stepping stone before going full-time.

Ilja Dragunov is set to defend the NXT Championship against Tony D’Angelo, presenting a golden opportunity for the latter to seize glory at this premium live event. It’s a chance for D’Angelo to prove himself on a grand stage and potentially etch his name in NXT history by upsetting the black and gold brand’s dominant titleholder.

Lyra Valkyria also puts her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Roxanne Perez, whose change in attitude has her on the cusp of another title run.

These matches will grace Stand & Deliver, which has a special start time. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action this weekend.

How to watch NXT Stand and Deliver

  • Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
  • Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Start time: 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT
  • How to watch: On Peacock in the U.S., and on WWE Network in the rest of the world

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The Undertaker returns to WWE on NXT, chokeslams Bron Breakker

The American Badass version of The Undertaker made for a fitting finish to a star-studded night on NXT.

NXT stacked its lineup against AEW Tuesday night, with Dynamite moving from its usual Wednesday slot for one night. Cody Rhodes opened the show, John Cena and Paul Heyman got involved in the main event, Asuka competed and more, making this episode of WWE’s developmental brand special.

However, at the end of the promos for this episode of NXT, an ominous gong sound, identical to The Undertaker‘s, could be heard. WWE never officially advertised The Deadman for the show, but that sound probably wouldn’t play for no reason.

Carmelo Hayes pinned Bron Breakker in the main event of NXT, and just when it seemed like The Undertaker wouldn’t show up, the gong sound played and out came the American Badass version of the WWE legend to stop Breakker’s post-match attack.

Breakker told Undertaker that he is the only badass here, but The Phenom said that while he thinks Breakker will be special one day, today is not that day. He then proceeded to punch and chokeslam the former NXT Champion.

To close the show, Undertaker told Breakker that “there’s always an ‘older, bigger badass waiting around the corner,” and that he had met the biggest one of them all. He then pointed to Hayes, putting him over to close the show.

The wild development of Cena in NXT was made even more surreal when The Undertaker appeared on the show. One of WWE’s most iconic stars, his presence inside the Performance Center was something no one could have predicted.

The Undertaker made a usually small-scale NXT show feel grand for one night by appearing and getting physical in a segment. Though he won’t be coming out of retirement, fans had a moment to savor, and two future main roster talents had a chance to shine alongside a legendary figure in the business.

Becky Lynch recalls WWE NXT debut: More ‘shameful’ than Shockmaster

Becky Lynch is honest about her NXT debut but says it shows people can bounce back from a negative first impression.

Becky Lynch has worked her way up to become one of WWE’s top women and overall Superstars, earning her status as “The Man.” From the WrestleMania 35 main event to becoming a grand slam champion, her career has been fruitful.

She had to find the right character to ascend her WWE career, which began in NXT, debuting in 2014 in an almost fully green attire while doing an Irish jig during her entrance. That shtick did not stick, and she eventually evolved her persona into a top player who headlined shows during the Full Sail University era and brought that star power to the main roster.

Lynch has found her NXT debut nine years later to be more “shameful,” she tells Chris Van Vliet on Insight, than Shockmaster’s, which has been considered one of the worst WWE debuts of all time (h/t Fightful for transcription).

If that is not proof that you can dig yourself out of any hole, then I don’t know what is. That is … I would put that over Shockmaster in terms of shameful debuts. He just fell over. He fell over. Okay, fine, that sucks. I went out, I was committed to that. The difference is, he didn’t intend to fall over. I intended to go out there and do an Irish jig like that and thought that I was worthy on being on WWE television. That happened.

The NXT Champion uses her Irish dancing gimmick as an example of a catalyst for change, and believes anyone can move on and learn from their mistakes. This is what has enabled her to become the superstar fans know today.

There is always a catalyst for change. You just have to figure out what it is. Winning a match can be a catalyst for change. Losing can be a catalyst for change. You just sometimes need the right story, right antagonist or protagonist, depending on what way you’re going to go. That’s the fun thing about wrestling. We can do anything. You can go from being a stupid, silly, Irish dancing clown to being the man of the business, main eventing WrestleMania holding two titles over your head. That’s the thing about life, you don’t have to be stuck as the person you were or with the things you did. You can move on and learn from your mistakes and hope you never go back there. I will never go back in that green attire doing an Irish dance.

It’s safe to say Lynch has come lightyears since her start in WWE, and now she’s touted as one of the best of her generation. Her shining blueprint has set an example for others to follow, and her path has undoubtedly inspired others to emulate her.

Shawn Michaels on bringing CM Punk to NXT: Of course I would, I just don’t think anybody would let me

HBK would have no qualms about welcoming CM Punk to NXT, but would WWE allow it?

After his infamous walkout following the 2014 Royal Rumble, the thought of CM Punk returning to WWE seemed far-fetched. However, with his AEW departure earlier this month and having made an appearance backstage at a WWE event earlier this year, the stars align now more than ever for a potential comeback.

When asked about Punk returning to WWE, president Nick Khan commented in the aftermath of the UFC merger that the company respects him and wishes him “nothing but the best,” neither confirming nor denying the possibility. It kept speculation open, which carried into the media call for NXT No Mercy.

Shawn Michaels was asked on the call about the possibility of bringing Punk to NXT, to which he said he would welcome Punk, but doesn’t think anyone would let him have him there.

Of course we’d welcome him here in NXT. My guess would be he’d want to go to the main roster, but I always enjoy working with Phil. Didn’t get to do it much. I understood him. Whether you want to say there were similarities in us.

He once at TV pulled out of his wallet, right there on the spot, a little autograph that I guess I had apparently signed for him at a hotel that he still had. So I’ve always liked him, and I understand he’s a different kind of cat and can be sometimes challenging to get along with. That’s probably why I like him because I suffer from the same thing.

Obviously that’s for people to decide who are higher up on the food chain than I am. He’s a guy that does numbers and makes money. I think that’d be a risk-reward ratio that I’m sure from a company standpoint they’d have to consider. But when it comes to would we take him in NXT and have him on our television, are you kidding me? Of course I would, I just don’t think anybody would let me. Who wouldn’t take that kind of star power? I don’t know. If I get in trouble for that, I’ll let you know.

Michaels’ enthusiasm for Punk suggests that he would welcome him to NXT, which would undoubtedly boost their ratings. The presence of main roster stars like Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley on the developmental brand has already created a buzz, so one of the biggest stars of this generation would only increase that.

The Heartbreak Kid’s statement doesn’t sound promising for the possibility of Punk appearing in NXT or anywhere in WWE as of now. Crazier things have happened, but betting against his return is reasonable for now.

Watch: Former walk-on tight end joins WWE

The WWE Performance Center has announced their rookie class for spring 2023 and a former Wisconsin Badger football player was part of it.

The WWE Performance Center has announced their rookie class for spring 2023 and a former Wisconsin Badger football player was part of the list.

Joining the Badgers as a walk-on tight end in 2017, Coy Wanner has made the leap to televised wrestling.

Wanner never had much of an impact on the field for the Badgers over his  career with the program, logging one tackle and no offensive stats, but he is clearly going to using his athletic prowess moving forward.

As a 6-foot-3, 230-pound human, Wanner could become a star with WWE, which would be a very exciting turn of events for Badger fans. Maybe he’ll even be the next John Cena!

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Watch: Pat McAfee knocks out WWE NXT’s Adam Cole out with a ‘punt’

Pat McAfee retired as a punter but he showed WWE NXT star Adam Cole he still has a superb leg.

Ah, the wonder of angles in the business of sports entertainment. You can add former Indianapolis Colts star Pat McAfee to those who have played the game … extremely well.

McAfee has been doing announcing for WWE as one of the numerous jobs he has had post-football.

The punter put his NFL skills to good use Wednesday as he connected with a stellar boot to WWE NXT star Adam Cole, leaving him, um, out cold.

Oh, and WWE had the big guns out, too, as you can see company exec and former in-ring star Triple H present during the altercation.

Check it out:

Cole, who at one point was NXT champion for 403 days, had been a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” last month and the interview somehow, someway went South. (Warning: NSFW language in below video).

It’s been a busy week for the former punter who punted his bachelorhood.