BREAKING NEWS - NXT Rebrand (again?)


It appears that NXT will be undergoing a 'tune-up' in the near future, as NXT 2.0 is no more. Sources close to The McMahon Family & WWE Board have seemingly confirmed the news, by releasing the following snippets to news sites.

WWE have today confirmed a temporary hiatus for the NXT brand, with the immediate rebranding from NXT 2.0 back to the familiar NXT name, this means that all NXT 2.0 programming for the foreseeable future has been cancelled, no word yet on what will happen to the brand, and its championships but as we saw this past week Tommaso Ciampa dropped the NXT championship to Bron Breakker, after it was confirmed Ciampa had elected to leave WWE. 


Bron Breakker has already hinted at a rebrand, not for the NXT name (not yet confirmed anyway) but for himself. He was quoted as saying on a YouTube video last night "Its about time people recognised what they had in their possession, its about time the people realised that I'm not like any other man to walk through those doors, I'm a genetic freak compared to others, I'm not Bron Breakker....I'm a Steiner. My father was Rick Steiner, and my uncle was Scott Steiner.....so you can call me Bron Steiner".

What will the future of NXT be? Stay tuned and find out.

@ness, shouldn't the title of this thread be "James - NXT"?

Nov 30, 2021 20:19:42 GMT 🤯 said:

@ness , shouldn't the title of this thread be "James - NXT"?

Total chav move on @james' part.

Just you lot wait to see what I do to Boogz in this ..

Nov 30, 2021 21:43:23 GMT Jake said:

Just you lot wait to see what I do to Boogz in this ..

World Title Main Event Run as NXT's Ace.

Breaking News - William Regal leaves WWE


It appears the shake-up of NXT is still happening with today's news, it appears that NXT General Manager William Regal has not only been removed from his role , but has also been released from his contract with the company. World Wrestling Entertainment released a short statement today:

WWE & William Regal have today come to an agreement on a 'mutual' termination of his contract, we respect his reasons and will not disclose to public view at this time.


WWE would today like to extend its thanks to the many years of service that William Regal has given the company, and performers both on the main and developmental rosters. His expertise will surely be missed, but we wish him well in whatever the future holds for Mr Regal.

Who will be the new on-screen GM for the NXT brand? - will Triple H take a more 'hands on' approach with the brand?

Women 'only' Brand?


WWE released a very interesting statement today, with regard to its women's roster on the NXT brand. 

WWE can confirm that once NXT returns from its hiatus, the women of the brand will NOT feature on NXT. This is because WWE have called up all the female talent to the main roster, as it is about to launch its 'female-only' brand with its own PPV to kick-start the project. With this news it means that both the NXT Women's and NXT Women's Tag Team Championships have been retired. 

Bron Steiner and Imperium are the only names confirmed so far for the rebooted NXT brand, with the North American Championship & Cruiserweight Championship being vacated. 

How will the future of Womens Wrestling be seen in WWE, once the female only brand launches in a few weeks time, with Stephanie McMahon overseeing that venture for the meantime.

It is very fascinating to note that Imperium are still listed as NXT talent, and are the NXT tag team champions. Does this mean we'll see WALTER debut in NXT, once the brand returns to air? Who'll be performing in NXT once it returns as well?

Breaking News - NXT lose 2 HUGE names


In what will be some more upsetting news to NXT viewers, TWO more names have today left the NXT brand, and in fact left WWE. In a short statement, the company revealed the following:

World Wrestling Entertainment have today come to terms with the releases of Johnny Gargano & Kyle O'Reilly. 

We wish both men the best in their future endeavours.

Recently NXT have lost notable names such as former NXT Champion Tomasso Ciampa, former NXT General Manager William Regal, the entire NXT women's roster, albeit they've been moved to an entirely new brand, that'll be announced in due course, with the two names announced today, NXT only have Bron Steiner as a recognisable name, as the brand's champion, with the other names that are confirmed on both the WWE website, and interestingly their twitter page is Dexter Lumis, and NXT Tag Team Champions 'Imperium' sans WALTER....for the meantime anyway. 


- Stay tuned for more.

NXT without Gargano is a show I'd be heavily invested in.

Breaking News - Rey Mysterio

Following his decision to retire from in-ring action, after his loss to his son Dominik Mysterio at WWE Day 1,  Rey Mysterio has today accepted a new role within WWE, which will see him go to NXT to take up the General Managers role within the brand. He'll be working closely with both Mr. McMahon & Triple H on an almost daily basis, Rey Mysterio released a short statement and it reads as follows:

"First, I would like to extend my gratitude towards Mr. McMahon & World Wrestling Entertainment, for giving me this huge opportunity to take control of NXT. It will be going in an entirely different direction, one that fans would not be expecting it to go. We've had what the brutal vision of the brand was, and while it worked for a certain amount of time, it ran out of energy and was left behind in comparisons to others out there, and come on we're NXT, we want to be the barometer that others compare themselves to".

"We then had whatever acid trip the second or is it the third incarnation of NXT was, with the pyrotechnics, and the flashy colours, it wasn't to my personal taste, and I can safely say others agree with that opinion of THAT NXT. It wasn't all bad though, as we have seen the emergence of talent from that particular iteration of NXT, you only have to look at the current NXT Champion Bron Steiner, which by the way is he really going by that name? I loved Bron Breakker more, but hey I'm not going to upset the apple cart before I've even seen the apple cart. I can see Bron being the man that takes NXT into a new future, and to be the promotion everyone is envious of and then says to themselves 'Hey, I want to be there'. Not only that, but I don't want NXT to be a stepping stone for talent to say 'I'm only here for X amount of time before Raw or Smackdown come calling', no...I want Raw and Smackdown talent to say I want to be in NXT"


"Who knows what the future has in stock for us all, but I can assure everyone that NXT is in safe hands with me".

Dude why do I want an NXT Rey run for real?

Is he too big to have had a Tyson Kidd/Finn Balor run?

Chad Gable pens new deal & More NXT news confirmed


Despite rumours that he was set to leave WWE soon, as his contract was nearing its end, it seems like this man will be remaining with the company for the foreseeable future. Having put pen-to-paper on a new 3-year deal, WWE today confirmed that Chad Gable had signed a contract extension, and that he will be heading to the NXT brand. As part of his negotiations, Gable asked he could be transferred to the NXT brand, with the blessing of Adam Pearce & newly installed NXT GM Rey Mysterio, the former American Alpha, and what seems now the former Alpha Academy member will be NXT. 

"I'm happy to have signed a new deal with the company, I'm happy they've also granted one of my requests, that was to be a part of the NXT brand. Its where I made my name, and its where I was the happiest in my time so far here in WWE". An excited Gable told WWE.com. "They've been a few missteps since leaving NXT, first losing Jason Jordan as my tag partner hurt, then being called 'short' by Baron Corbin, and thus being called 'Shorty G' by you all, I guess you could also throw in the made up pairing with Shelton Benjamin and Otis, which I mean they're great people, who I have learned a lot from....BUT I'VE got something to prove, and I'm certain I'll be able to show it here in NXT".

Chad Gable's move to NXT wasn't the only NXT news to be confirmed today, it seems we may have our first match announced for NXT, whenever it returns from 'hiatus' as Bron Steiner issued an open challenge through WWE's social media channels today, through a video posted on his Twitter.

"Now I know some bitches out there are afraid of getting into the yard, with a dog-faced gremlin like myself. I ain't like the other gremlins you have seen before, heck, I ain't even like the other genetic freaks you seen before". he said "Now, whenever NXT wants to return to air, just you all know that Bron Steiner is top of the mountain, I don't need no table to prove I'm the head, so shut yo face Roman. I don't need to be eating Booties or whatever Big E is doing over on Raw, I'm NXT and NXT is my home, that's why I am issuing an open challenge to anyone out there, who feels lucky enough to warrant a chance against me for this. It don't matter if you're NXT, Raw or Smackdown...heck it don't matter if you're WWE, I'll beat your ass so bad, you're going to be crawling back in the same direction from which you once came"

WWE Press Conference - NXT roster confirmed?

WWE conducted a press conference earlier, in which they confirmed their NXT brand roster going forward. It seems like the wheels are in motion for when the NXT 'Hiatus' comes to an end. The press conference was conducted by WWE Owner Vince McMahon, and attended by NXT Producers Triple H & Shawn Michaels, with NXT General Manager Rey Mysterio also sighted at the conference this afternoon.

"Here in WWE, we've always had a saying that change is always good. It allows us to grow, allows us to look back on what wasn't working, and what did work, so we can ask where can we improve? This is where we currently are now with NXT. We had the tried and tested 'developmental' as you would say on the internet, where we had the likes of Seth Rollins, Big E, Roman Reigns and the late Luke Harper graduate from. Then we had the brutal 'Black and Gold' brand that Hunter and co built from the ground up, and he found a certain way for both developmental talent to work with some of the best names from over the world. That's where we had your Shinsuke Nakamura's, your Johnny Gargano's, it was also a palce for guys who weren't good here the first time around to come back, and prove us all wrong...look no further than Drew McIntyre. Yes, I said he was the 'Chosen One' years ago, but then he went through the motions and ultimately he left WWE, he worked his way back, came to NXT, pushed his way to Raw and won the Royal Rumble and earned a main event at WrestleMania...then we have what I guess the internet again are calling the 'dead bird' or whatever version of NXT. I disagree with that consensus....we have brilliant talent, including Bron Breakker...I mean Bron Steiner, who I might add is on the right track to super stardom here in WWE" - Vince McMahon

"We all want NXT to be the place for all talent to say they want to be there, we want NXT to be the place that others are envious of, whether that be Raw, Smackdown, the new female only brand here in WWE, that will launch in the future....going down to those in Jacksonville and Nashville. We want you all to be envious of what we're doing here in NXT. We want the best and ONLY the best to come here to WWE and NXT. I can't confirm much right now, but what we all have planned for NXT, it'll blow your socks off" - Triple H

"It might not be my place to say, considering how early I am into my role as general manager here in NXT, but what I can say is how proud I am to be in this position, and how excited I am to be working with the current talent on our NXT books. I've had a phone conversation with Bron Steiner, and this kid gets it. He gets what we're trying to do here, and he wants to be a part of it, and not only that...he wants to lead the project. Which can only be music to our ears, I've spoken with talent who I don't want here in NXt, so sadly they'll have to find new homes at either Raw or Smackdown....or catering. I'm kidding, not that but they just don't fit into the vision that I want for NXT, and that's the NXT I've sold to Triple H , Shawn and Vince. They've listened, that's what we've got Chad Gable coming in, and that's why I can also confirm today that we're getting a few talented members from our UK arm, which I appreciate them doing, with all things considered. I'm sorry that the UK brand are losing their champion, but that's life at times. I'm also happy to say that T-Bar won't be needed on Raw any longer, as he's coming back home to NXT, and he's no longer T-Bar, he can go back to being called Dominik Dijakovic. I also intend to keep an eye on a certain member of the WWE roster, so I can say that another Dominik is coming to NXT, that's right son, you may have retired me from in-ring action, but I'm still going to be a pain in your side...welcome to NXT Dominik Mysterio. The surprisees don't stop there, but you wouldn't tune into NXT, if we gave them all away now would you? ha ha....our first show is very soon, it'll be confirmed soon". - Rey Mysterio

Following WWE's press conference, their NXT section was updated to show current roster members, and their respective brands titles and champions. 

Bron Steiner
Carmelo Hayes

Chad Gable

Dexter Lumis

Dominik Dijakovic

Dominik Mysterio
Drew Gulak

Fabian Aichner

Ilja Dragunov

Joe Gacy

Marcel Barthel

Pete Dunne
Parker Boudreaux

Roderick Strong

Tyler Bate

NXT Champion

Bron Steiner

NXT North American Champion

Vacant

NXT Tag Team Champions

Imperium (Aichner & Barthel)

Dominik vs. Dominik, book it!

Cardona back to WWE?
Could the Long Island Star be heading back to WWE?


Rumours have been swirling lately that the former 'Long Island Iced Z' Zack Ryder could be heading back to WWE, with Triple H needing talent for WWE's NXT brand, and speaking on Chris Jericho's 'Talk is Jericho' podcast, Matt Cardona went into detail of what his emotions were following his release by WWE, how 2020 and 2021 have panned out for him, and what 2022 and beyond might lay in store for him.

"When I was released by WWE, it was the lowest I've ever felt. The place where I spent all, if not the majority of my professional career told me they no longer needed my services. To make matters worse that's when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, I know I wasn't the only one to be in that position of losing my job, they were countless others and not just in this industry but worldwide. This isn't a sad story, this is MY story...I used all that hurt from what happened, I used all those years of anger and hurt in WWE to channel my next path in this industry. I participated for companies across the United States during a Pandemic, that's sick. Not only that, but I have done things I didn't think I would be able to do, I became a world champion for one company. That's like my dream, I also helped my podcast grow and grow with my good friend Brian Meyers, which I think WWE fans would otherwise know as Curt Hawkins".

"I don't know what the future may hold, but what I can say is that my future does involve wrestling. All I can say is that if, and that's IF I go back to WWE, I'd like it to be for NXT. I can see myself working with some of the talent they have there, just because I don't currently work for WWE, doesn't mean I don't watch WWE. Let me tell you Bron Steiner and Dominik Dijakovic are two names I'd love to work with, and if given the chance I'll jump at it".


"I'd just like to say one thing I'd like to make clear though is that 'Zack Ryder' is dead, what I mean by that I'm no longer what 'Zack Ryder' was or still is to some people. I'm Matt Cardona, I've done a hell of a lot since leaving WWE, and IF I come back to WWE, you're going to be seeing a new, intense version of myself, because I'm telling you all now...I'm Always Ready".

Could we see the new 'Intense' Matt Cardona turn up in WWE?

NXT is coming home - 'Special Event' confirmed


World Wrestling Entertainment have today released a statement , in which they've confirmed a 'Special Event' will stream LIVE when NXT returns from 'Hiatus'. Also confirmed is that the colour scheme used during 'NXT 2.0' will be kept going forward, that is despite reports that Triple H was wanting to veer away from the colour scheme. It appears NXT have confirmed what matches will be on the 'special event' when it streams, with Bron Steiner defending his NXT Championship against a 'yet to be confirmed' opponent, in a statement that was released by WWE earlier today.

WWE can confirm that NXT will return with a 'Special Event' that will stream LIVE on the WWE Network & Peacock. 'NXT Homecoming' will see 3 championship matches on the show, as Bron Steiner will defend his NXT Championship against a 'yet to be confirmed' opponent. Imperium will defend their 'NXT Tag Team Championships' against the paring of Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate, who will be known as 'British Strong Style) going forward. 

The  'NXT North American Championship' will be defended in a triple threat match that will see former North American Champion Carmelo Hayes take on the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong & Dexter Lumis. Also confirmed for the show is Chad Gable v Dominik Dijakovic & Drew Gulak taking on Dominik Mysterio.


Joe Gacy is also set to be in attendance, as he hosts a talk show, with his first guest being former NXT UK Champion Ilja Drugunov.

Below is the confirmed card so far for NXT: Homecoming

NXT Championship 

Bron Steiner (C) v ??

NXT North American Championship

Carmelo Hayes v Roderick Strong v Dexter Lumis

Drew Gulak v Dominik Mysterio

Chad Gable v Dominik Dijakovic

NXT Tag Team Championship

Imperium (Aichner & Barthel) v British Strong Style (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate) 

NXT looks set to bang with their 'Homecoming' event streams, but the main question leading out of today's news is who will face Bron Steiner for his NXT Championship? 

NXT Homecoming

'NXT Homecoming' was a homecoming to remember, as championships were defended, a new champion was crowned, and a familiar NXT face appeared. It was the first show under the new guidance of NXT GM Rey Mysterio, could he deliver a show to remember, could he do something on his first show in charge of the 'Third Brand' that many people are referring to it now. 

On the show we had Imperum defending their NXT Tag Team Championships, Bron Steiner issued an open challenge for his NXT Championship, and a new NXT North American Champion would be crowned tonight. 

Below is the show review:

NXT Tag Team Championship
Imperium (Aichner & Barthel) def British Strong Style (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate)

In the night's opener Imperium defeated British Strong Style to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship, they promised that this wasn't the last of Imperium that the fans saw tonight, and promised a new age in NXT, a one that everyone will see sooner than later.


NXT GM Rey Mysterio was out, he was welcoming of the crowd in attendance and thanked them for their support in his new career, and thanked them for coming tonight to support the 'New and Improved' NXT. He said that he's humbled to be NXT GM, but this next moment will make him extremely proud, as he introduces his son, Dominik Mysterio for his upcoming match, and he decides to take in the action at ringside.


Dominik Mysterio def Drew Gulak
In what was an impressive showing from the NXT GM's son, Dominik Mysterio defeated the ever capable, and ever brutal Drew Gulak in under 5 minutes, not that we or anyone was counting. Dominik opted to finish the match by locking Gulak in a 'LeBell Lock', causing some distress and pain to Gulak, he refused to let go after the bell had been called, which led to officials coming down and stopping the action. Dominik looked at the crowd booing him, as he smiled and grinned, as a disappointed father, and boss Rey Mysterio looked on.


Chad Gable def Dominik Dijakovic
This was the match of the night, two brilliant talents showcasing what they can do best inside a wrestling ring, it was the former NXT Tag Team Champion that picked up the victory here. Both men gave it their all, and showed a massive sign of sportsmanship and respect after the match, as they both shook hands, as the crowd applauded the match they had just witnessed.



NXT North American Championship
Dexter Lumis def Carmelo Hayes & Roderick Strong 

It was a thrilling match that had it all, all men gave it full throttle in this affair, however it was Dexter Lumis who came away victorious, with his first piece of gold here in NXT, as he captured the NXT North American Championship. In reality, it was a Hayes v Strong match, as both men managed to get Lumis out of the match early on, leaving him out for the cold on the outside, as the match drew on, Lumis got his senses back and lay into both Hayes and Strong in the ring, getting both men in 'The Silencer' and making them both tap. The fans cheered for Lumis, who has finally accomplished his goal of winning gold in NXT. 



We were all treated to a new talk show from Joe Gacy, as he welcomed new NXT roster member, and  former NXT UK Champion Ilja Drugunov. Gacy said that Drugunov would not be welcomed into the 'safe space' of an American Wrestling ring, due to his 'Russian Ties'. Drugunov had heard enough and laid out Gacy with a stiff punt to the head, the crowd loved it and chanted for Drugunov, until Parker Boudreaux showed up, and attacked Drugunov from behind, giving Gacy a helping hand. A chorus of boos were aimed at the pairing for their actions, as a hurt Drugunov stared at them. 


NXT GM Rey Mysterio was seen backstage calming his son Dominik down, he said that if Dominik wants to remain on NXT, hell even in WWE, then he needs to stop acting like a 'prick' and don't do actions like he done earlier tonight. Dominik got into Rey's face "Listen, Dad.... I don't care what you or anyone else says, I'm doing what I want when I want, if it'll get me what I want...and what I want is a championship match". Many thought that he meant the NXT Championship, he probably did but Rey then said that if Dominik wanted a title match, then a title match he will get, he just needs to find a partner for the next NXT episode. 



Bron Steiner made his entrance to the adulation of the NXT crowd, we're still unsure on who'll answer Steiner's open challenge for this NXT Championship, we were told earlier in the night by this duo that it wasn't the last we saw of them, and they were right. Imperim came out and both accepted Bron's open challenge, to which Bron accepted by saying "It don't matter if one bitch, two bitches, heck the whole whore house comes out here, I'll send you all back from the way you once came from, you step in this ring, be ready for an ass whopping".


NXT Championship
Bron Steiner (C) def  Imperium by DQ


Steiner retained his championship under acrimonious circumstances, as Imperium were the ones to accept the 'Open Challenge' , it was what happened after the match that was the most exciting part of the show. Steiner did show great offence throughout the bout, delivering hammer blow and hammer blow to both members of Imperium. It was soon that the numbers game caught up to Steiner, as he couldn't handle the offence any more and snapped, throwing one member of Imperium to the outside, and laying into the other in the ring, he was about to win the match and retain his championship, after he locked in the 'Steiner Recliner', when the bell was rung, after Barthel ref.


A brawl was about to erupt, Steiner looked angry, as Imperium made their way out of the ring, they walked to the top of the ramp and were smiling. What were they thinking? what did they have planned? Well, we soon found out as the lights went out and 'IV Allegro con fuoco' played. The NXT fans knew who had arrived, Bron knew who had arrived, and Imperium rejoiced as WALTER finally made his debut on NXT television. The fans were cheering loudly, they were chanting 'NXT!! NXT!! NXT!! NXT!!', as both WALTER & Bron Steiner hade a staredown to close out the show.