WWE’s latest trademark filings have shown that the promotion is serious about keeping Shawn Spears around following his recent return to the promotion.
Spears returned to WWE last month as part of the NXT brand, five years almost to the day that he left the promotion in February 2019. Spears returned by attacking Ridge Holland. On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Spears defeated Uriah Connors in the on-screen debut of the recently renamed Brogan Finlay.
Shawn Spears is Locked In
WWE has now filed to trademark the Shawn Spears name, confirming that he will use this name going forward and ditch the Tye Dillinger moniker. The trademark filing covers the use of the Shawn Spears moniker for use at wrestling events and through broadcast media. It also covers the use of the name online in the field of ‘Sports Entertainment.’
More Trademark Filings
Shawn Spears isn’t the only WWE Superstar to get his name trademarked. WWE has also filed for the name of fellow WWE NXT Superstar Dijak. The former Retribution member has been making waves as part of the gold brand and is one of the more prominently featured Superstars appearing on Tuesday nights.
WWE has also filed a trademark for the name of WWE SmackDown Superstar Berto. The young wrestler has undergone several name alterations throughout his career. He debuted as Humberto Carrillo, which was later shortened to Humberto. He would later get his last name back before it was shortened again and has since be shortened further to just Berto.
WWE included a couple surprises for this week’s episode of NXT, and it seems that they tried their best to keep those things under wraps.
William Regal and Trick Williams both showed up for the episode, and many fans were shocked to see them. That being said, neither of them were noted in any backstage rundown, either.
WWE Protecting NXT Surprises
In the latest WWE NXT episode, the No Quarter Catch Crew, holding the Heritage Cup, made a strong presence in the ring. Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp, and Myles Borne delivered a message to the rest of the NXT roster.
The stable declared their intention to defend the Heritage Cup as a group, allowing any member to defend the title. They emphasized their commitment to uphold the championship’s prestige as genuine athletes.
Unexpectedly, William Regal’s entrance music played, signaling his return. Regal received a warm welcome from the NXT crowd, with chants of “Welcome back” filling the arena. Clearly, the fans hadn’t forgotten the former General Manager.
Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that, “William Regal was not listed for the No Quarter Catch Crew Promo. His promo is expected to play a key part in Charlie Dempsey’s next few weeks.”
Trick Williams did a run-in during the main event segment as well. He still wants to hash things out with Carmelo Hayes. It seems that WWE wanted to keep his appearance a secret as well.
It was also noted that Trick Williams was not included on any rundown for the show, either. His absence during rehearsals raised eyebrows, but he was at the show.
Why William Regal Had To Wait
When William Regal moved from AEW to WWE for an office position, a notable condition arose in his departure agreement. It dictated that Regal couldn’t make appearances on WWE television for a year, explaining his absence during the WarGames announcement. Now that this condition has expired, Regal has made his return to NXT.
The timing of Regal’s reappearance on WWE television remains uncertain, but his impromptu appearance during NXT Roadblock was met with praise. Currently serving as the company’s Vice President of Global Talent Development, Regal’s involvement, particularly in Charlie Dempsey’s storyline, is anticipated in the coming weeks. We will have to see how this pans out.
SEScoops will have more coverage of this story, and so many more from all over the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more updates!
WWE NXT Superstar Dijak is immensely grateful for the opportunity he’s had in the gold brand after being sure he’d be cut as T-Bar.
Dijak, aka Dominik Dijakovic, was called up to the main roster in 2020 as T-BAR, part of the anarchistic Retribution stable. The group would struggle on WWE TV though with fans finding the gimmick hokey and their masks unintentionally hilarious.
Retribution Ends & Dijak Begins
With the faction’s prospects seemingly dead in the water, Retribution imploded in early 2021 by turning on their leader Mustafa Ali. By late 2021 and throughout 2022, he exclusively competed on WWE Main Event.
In late 2022, he returned to WWE NXT as Dijak, complete with a video promo showing his T-Bar mask being burned in a fire. Since then, Dijak has gone on to become one of the gold brand’s most prominently featured performers and has worked with the show’s top names.
Dijak is Grateful
On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Dijak defeated Joe Gacy in the Asylum match which saw both men use a plethora of weapons. During the match, Dijak hit a moonsault off the top of the cage in a surprising display of high-flying from the big man.
Taking to Twitter, Dijak spoke about the spot in question and fans who may feel he shouldn’t be leaving his feet. Dijak said that he is making the most of the opportunity afforded him in WWE NXT after being sure he would be cut during his T-Bar run.
People who tell me I shouldn’t do a moonsault off the top of a cage have never been T-Bar barely treading water on Main Event & tearfully staring at my phone waiting to be fired.
WWE Superstars have lives outside the ring, and sadly, one member of the NXT family is dealing with a big personal loss. Andre Chase, who has been around the NXT brand consistently since the 2.0 days, revealed he lost his father.
Andre Chase shared that his father recently passed away over the weekend. He saved this announcement until after his big NXT Tag Team Title match at Roadblock.
Chase’s Sad Announcement
At NXT Roadblock, Chase and Duke Hudson teamed up to challenge Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Despite their efforts, they were unable to secure the title, marking their second unsuccessful attempt. The whole time, the NXT Arena was very much behind Chase U.
After the event, Chase took to social media to announce the passing of his father over the weekend. In a heartfelt message, he reflected on his father’s strength and expressed how he honored his memory by standing up for himself, even in defeat.
As some of you may know, my father unexpectedly passed away over the weekend.My dad had the heart of a lion and never backed down from a fight. Tonight, even in defeat, I hope I honored him by pulling myself up off of the mat even when I thought I had nothing left. #WWENXT
Our thoughts are with Andre Chase as he deals with this great loss in his personal life. He has a ton of fans who are very much behind him, along with everyone at the Performance Center. So, we’re hoping that he has plenty of support during this time.
SEScoops will have more updates on the pro wrestling world, so please keep checking back for additional headlines.
A fourth-generation Superstar who recently joined WWE NXT will not be going by his family name, as confirmed this week.
The March 5, 2024, episode of WWE NXT was the gold brand’s ‘Roadblock’ special and saw the developmental roster continue to build towards NXT Stand & Deliver. In the main event, Tony D’Angelo defeated Carmelo Hayes to earn a shot at NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov at the April event. Hayes was also confronted by the returning Trick Williams, who was betrayed by Melo at NXT Vengeance Day.
A New Name
NXT Roadblock saw the in-ring return of Shawn Spears, following his return to WWE NXT on last week’s show. Spears made quick work of Uriah Connors before attempting to goad Ridge Holland into a fight.
Fans of New Japan Pro Wrestling may have recognised Connors, despite this being his first TV match for WWE NXT. Connor is better known as Brogan Finlay, the son of former WWE United States Champion Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay. The younger Finlay signed with WWE recently and made his in-ring debut at an NXT live event last month.
Uriah Connors legacy in wrestling stretches back past his legendary father. His grandfather, Dave Finlay Sr. was also a wrestler, who received an MBE this year for services to wrestling. His great-grandfather was also a professional wrestler.
More Multi-Generation Events
Uriah Connors wasn’t the only multi-generational star to be on this week’s WWE NXT. Charlie Dempsey was with the No Quarter Catch Crew, one week on from his NXT Heritage Cup win. Dempsey’s promo was interrupted by the returning William Regal, in his first WWE TV appearance since re-signing with the company over a year ago.
Regal spoke of the imporance of defending the NXT Heritage Cup with integrity but Dempsey was not interested in what his father had to say. WWE made no reference to the familial bond between the two
WWE’s NXT brand held their Roadblock special tonight. As the road to WrestleMania 40, and Stand & Deliver, is drawing close, the brand saw a couple big moments. A Superstar returned after being out of action for nearly a year, but that wasn’t the only big comeback during the show.
When William Regal left AEW for an office job with WWE, he had a very interesting clause in this release paperwork. It was stated that Regal couldn’t appear on WWE television for a full year, which is why he wasn’t around to announce WarGames. That clause has now expired, and Regal is back in NXT.
William Regal’s NXT Return
During WWE NXT this week, the No Quarter Catch Crew took the ring with the Heritage Cup. Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp and Myles Borne looked intense, and they had a message for the rest of the NXT roster.
The stable proclaimed that they will defend the Heritage Cup as a stable, meaning anyone in the faction can put the title on the line. The said that they plan to represent the championship as true athletes.
Suddenly, William Regal’s music stopped everything. Regal then came out to a rousing ovation from the NXT crowd. “Welcome back” chants erupted at Regal. Obviously, fans in the NXT Arena didn’t forget about the former General Manager.
Those chants soon transitioned to “He’s your Father” directed at Dempsey. Regal didn’t have a ton to say, but he did make it very clear that he will have his eye on that Heritage Cup, because of how much it means to him and everyone from the rich European pro wrestling tradition.
We will have to see when William Regal shows up on WWE television again. It was certainly a very nice surprise to see him pop up during NXT Roadblock. He is currently the company’s Vice President of Global Talent Development.
For more on this story, and many more, please keep checking back with us here at SEScoops.
There are a few members of the WWE roster who are out of action with injuries. This week, a promising young talent made her long-awaited return to NXT.
WWE’s NXT brand presented their Roadblock event this week, and that included a surprising return. Sol Ruca is back on the active roster after a very long injury hiatus. She did so by costing Blair Davenport a win, the same woman who was responsible (in storyline) for her injury.
Sol Ruca’s Return
This week’s NXT featured Fallon Henley taking on Blair Davenport. That match saw Ruca make her return during the closing moments, where she nailed Blair to help Henley pick up the win.
Several months ago, Blair Davenport revealed herself to be the mystery attacker who was taking out so many members of the women’s division, including Sol Ruca. Now, Ruca is back, and she’s taking her vengeance out on the woman responsible for taking her out of action.
In May 2023, Sol Ruca suffered an ACL injury, sidelining her from action. She was incorporated into a storyline leading to Blair Davenport’s NXT debut, portrayed as the masked attacker who incapacitated Ruca. Surgery was required to address the ACL injury, and since then, Ruca has been focused on her recovery and eventual return to the ring.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of NXT, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world, so keep checking back for more updates!
During his return, Spears was referred to by the Spears name, as opposed to his previous WWE moniker Tye Dillinger. During his days as Dillinger, Spears was referred to as the ‘Perfect 10.’ Reacting to Spears’ return, Cody Rhodes took to Twitter and gave an appropriate score for his friend’s comeback.
Cassie Lee, the wife of Spears who competed for years in WWE as Peyton Royce, had her own reaction. The IIconic wrestler made clear that it was pleased to see Spears is back ‘home.’
While he previously competed for WWE as Tye Dillinger, the Canadian Superstar will go by Shawn Spears in this run, Fightful Select reports. The veteran began using the Spears name before joining WWE and used it again when he joined AEW in 2019.
Kept a Secret
Few in WWE NXT were aware of Spears’ return, with one describing it as a “complete shock.” As of 8 pm EST, Spears was not listed on internal documents, nor was anyone else listed for Ridge Holland’s promo. In terms of rehearsals, Shawn Michaels would fill Spears’ role in rehearsals with Holland earlier today. One source told Fightful that Spears was signed to a deal for some time before the first ‘Three Faces’ vignettes began to air.
Je’Von Evans is proving to be one to watch at NXT live events and has been impressing officials according to Fightful Select. He is expected to be a regular on NXT TV moving forward. Evans, who previously competed as Jay Malachi, featured in a backstage segment on the February 13, edition of the show. He signed with the company in November of 2023.
Praise for Byron Saxton
Byron Saxton has received praise for taking up Booker T’s role as part of the commentary team. Shortly before NXT Vengeance Day, Booker announced that a medical issue would keep him from that show and upcoming events. He is expected to return very soon.
Plans for the War Dogs
WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker have proven to be a hit with fans and with those backstage. There have been discussions about Corbin joining Breakker on the main roster now that Bron has signed with SmackDown. There are also talks about renaming the group to ‘Spear of Days.’
Not Taking WWE NXT Off Air
Earlier this month, the WWE NXT crowd were told to watch their language after heavy profanity was sent the way of Carmelo Hayes. Despite rumors suggesting last week’s NXT could have been taken off the air due to the chants, there was ‘no chance’ it would be taken off the air by the USA Network.
Edris Enofe Injury
It was previously reported by the Wrestling Observer that Edris Enofe suffered an injury on the February 6, WWE NXT. Fightful reports that Enofe is said to have suffered the injury about halfway through the tag team bout with Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Baron Corbin is ready to improve after clinching a silver medal in a Jiu-Jitsu World League tournament.
Taking to Instagram, the Lone Wolf shared a photo of himself as well as the Bronze and Gold medalists on their respective podiums. Corbin admitted it wasn’t the result he wanted but is ready to learn from his mistakes.
Obviously not the result I wanted last night! Lost 2-0 on points in the finals. @the305mvp put it in perspective and said “You win or you learn. What did you learn?” I defn learned a few things and will get back in the Lab and work! The work is never done! @rudos_bjj already has a plan.
We all stumble and it should push us to get better. I’m taking home another gold in the next tournament. I hope the guy who beat me is there so I can get it back. Let’s go!
Corbin has been a part of the WWE roster since 2014. In addition to his current reign as an NXT Tag Team Champion with Joe Gacy, he is a former United States Champion. Corbin has also captured the King of the Ring crown and Money in the Bank briefcase but failed in his cash-in attempt.
Baron Corbin’s Fighting Prowess
Baron Corbin’s fighting skills were long established before he stepped foot in a WWE ring. He is a two-time Golden Gloves regional amateur boxing champion. In 2008, he competed in the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions in the super heavyweight division and made it to the quarter-finals.
WWE opted to air the heartbreaking moment Shotzi suffered an injury on this week’s NXT which resulted in her match being called off.
This week’s episode of WWE NXT was actually filmed last week to allow NXT higher-ups time to travel to Australia for this weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth premium live event. During the taping, Shotzi’s match with NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria was called off and it was reported that she’d suffered a severe injury.
Shotzi’s Injury
With this week’s NXT being taped in advance, there were questions as to whether WWE would air the spot in question or even the match. During last night’s show, those questions were answered as the match did air. The unfortunate spot saw Shotzi bounce from the ring to the outside and immediately clutched her foot, proving that it doesn’t take some high-risk move in wrestling for an injury to happen.
Shotzi’s match had to be called off due to the injury. WWE NXT General Manager Ava announced that the fans deserved to see a title match and made an open challenge. This was answered by Lash Legend who had competed earlier in the show. Despite having no prep time, Legend and Lyra Valkyria put on a fine match that saw the Valkyrie retain her title.
Feeling a Harlem Hangover due to Booker T’s NXT absence? Fear not, sucka, the two-time, two-time, two-time WWE Hall Of Famer says he’ll be back behind the commentator’s table.
Booker T revealed back on February 4 that he’d be undergoing an undisclosed medical procedure that would keep him off television for a few weeks.
“I will not be at #NXTVengenceDay tonight and I’ll be off TV the next couple weeks due to a medical procedure I had to have. But – I’m all good and I’ll be back in action on NXT in no time! Thank you all for your support, couldn’t do it with out the people. Shucky Ducky!”
I will not be at #NXTVengenceDay tonight and I’ll be off TV the next couple weeks due to a medical procedure I had to have. But – I’m all good and I’ll be back in action on @WWENXT in no time! Thank you all for your support, couldn’t do it with out the people. Shucky Ducky!
Speaking on the latest Hall Of Fame podcast, Booker said he’s likely only seven days away from being back by the side of Vic Joseph.
“I’m back in the gym. I’m feeling good. I’m one week out, and I’ll be back at the table, doing my thing, doing it like it’s supposed to be done, making all them suckas bow down, making them pay, making them say, ‘Daddy, I don’t want none.’ I can’t wait, man.”
While Booker was away, Byron Saxton sat in his steed as he and Joseph both got to witness Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin becoming the new NXT Tag Team Champions against The D’Angelo Family last week.
Booker in the past has giving big credit to Vic Joseph as being a stellar play-by-play man, even making a play for Joseph to get called up to the main roster in a commentary role.
Please credit Hall of Fame and h/t Fightful for the transcription.
Clark, better known to fans as Velveteen Dream, was part of a show earlier this month that marked the former WWE NXT Superstar’s return to wrestling. In 2020, Clark faced allegations of sending inappropriate messages to minors. WWE claimed that their investigation into the matter showed no proof of misconduct, though one of Clark’s accusers would state that WWE never reached out as part of their investigation. After massive fan backlash, Clark was released from WWE in 2021.
Terra Calaway on Dynasty Wrestling
Given the allegations Clark has faced as well as additional run-ins with the law, Dynasty’s decision to use him at their event has received a mixed response from fans. On Twitter, Dynasty defended using Clark, saying they wanted to give somebody a second chance to live out their dream.
This message caught the attention of Terra Calaway, a former member of the Dynasty Wrestling roster. In a tweet of her own, Calaway shared her disappointment and disgust at using Clark. Calaway, a victim of sexual assault, said that using Clark made it clear that victims are not safe at Dynasty Wrestling.
As a former member of your roster and a sexual assault victim, I am so beyond disappointed and disgusted.
Thank you for showing other victims they are not safe in your locker room or your crowd. https://t.co/p9HoWbKXVg
Clark recently emerged in Culpeper and spoke at a County Board of Supervisors meeting. The former WWE NXT Superstar urged the board to prioritize the collective desires of the county’s residents and suggested potential drawbacks of solar power. In a recent video, Clark apologized to WWE and Triple H for causing them problems but stopped short of admitting to any of the allegations against him.
Brogan Finlay’s WWE in-ring debut saw him share the ring with another multi-generational Superstar this week.
Finlaym the brother of New Japan’s David Finlay, signed with WWE in December of last year. He has been competing since 2021 and has worked for GCW, New Japan, Wrestling Revolver, Black Label Pro, and Blitzkrieg! Pro to name just a few companies.
At last night’s WWE NXT event in Tampa, Florida, Finlay added WWE to the list of promotions he has worked for. In his in-ring debut, he faced Charlie Dempsey. Unfortunately for Finlay, it was the No Quarter Catch Crew member who got the win.
It’s fitting that Finlay faced Dempsey in his WWE NXT debut, as the pair’s fathers also had some wars in the ring. Fit Finlay and William Regal feuded in WCW, with Finlay making his debut in the promotion with an attack on the Blackpool brawler. Years later, the pair would be forced to face off for Finlay’s U.S. title at Great American Bash 2006, after Bobby Lashley, Finlay’s original opponent, failed his medical test. Finlay bested Regal at the WWE pay-per-view to retain.
On Twitter, Finlay made reference to the fact that their fathers fought in the past.
After graduating high school in 2017, Faith Jeffries began training under Selina Majors and would debut for Women of Wrestling as ‘Faith the Lioness.’ In 2021, she attended a WWE tryout and would sign with the company that summer.
Jeffries, now Nikkita Lyons, made her debut on the New Year’s Eve edition of 205 Live in a loss to Amari Miller. Her NXT debut would come in February 2022 and saw her beat Kayla Inlay (now Kiana James.)
While she has yet to capture gold in WWE, Lyons has worked with several top names. In June 2022, Lyons earned a DQ win over then NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose. That same year, she and Zoey Stark would unsuccessfully challenge for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships.
A Problem with Training?
Lyons’ injury will once again raise questions as to the training that takes place at the WWE Performance Center. In April 2023, it was reported that people in WWE had blamed a series of injuries over the strength training at the center. In addition to Lyons, Sol Ruca and Arianna Grace have also recently been taken out due to injuries. Ruca only recently returned to action.
The President of the CW Network is very excited to begin airing WWE NXT when the gold brand moves to the network next year.
Last year, it was announced that NXT would be moving to the CW in the biggest deal yet for WWE’s developmental brand. The show will move from the USA Network to the CW in October 2024. NXT premiered on the USA Network in September 2019 and would go head-to-head for its first year with AEW Dynamite. Prior to this, WWE NXT had been exclusive to the WWE Network.
CW Network President Praises WWE NXT
In a recent interview with Deadline, CW President Dennis Miller addressed the NXT deal and shared his excitement to welcome the gold brand. Miller added that signing such a deal shows the value of the NXT brand and touted the show’s impressive figures.
“We feel really good about having grabbed that before the big folks stepped up and wrote monster checks. It was some validation of the value of the franchise there. The ratings on NXT have continued to grow as we watch them before they come to the network. So, I think on that level, great.”
WWE NXT management was left “in a panic” after Shotzi suffered an injury during next week’s taping of the gold brand.
The February 20, 2024, episode was taped this week as WWE wants several notable people around for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth next week. During the tapings, Shotzi challenged NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria.
Unfortunately, Shotzi suffered a knee injury while attempting her apron DDT. This resulted in the match being stopped midway. It was later confirmed that, unlike Ridge Holland and Ilja Dragunov, this injury is not a work.
Update on Shotzi’s WWE NXT Injury
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed Shotzi’s injury and said those at the taping were left in a panic when her situation arose.
“They were in a panic. They were stalling to try to figure out what to do. And maybe nobody else was ready. And she had just wrestled. Maybe she was in her gear. Maybe nobody else was in their gear.”
Meltzer added that Shotzi has been pulled from the Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match on this week’s SmackDown she was supposed to be a part of. He added:
“I don’t know the severity of the Shotzi injury. But I do know that she left the building on crutches. And it was a knee injury.”
There’s no word on when fans can expect to see Shotzi back in the ring. We at SE Scoops would like to wish her a full and speedy recovery.
Shotzi recently got married in Las Vegas and celebrated in a very WWE way…
Members of the WWE Universe who attended this week’s episode of WWE NXT were encouraged to watch their language following one un-PG chant during the show.
The February 6, 2024, edition of WWE NXT was the fallout show from last weekend’s NXT Vengeance Day Premium Live Event. Vengeance Day went off the air with Carmelo Hayes betraying Trick Williams and laying out his former friend with a steel chair. Trick had unsuccessfully challenged NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov and the Trick Melo Gang had lost to the Wolf Dogs in the Dusty Rhodes Men’s Classic earlier in the show.
Censored at WWE NXT
Carmelo Hayes opened up this week’s WWE NXT to a chorus of boos from the fans. In fact, the negative response was so loud, that Hayes simply told the fans “not yet,” and left without explaining his betrayal of Trick Williams.
The negative response to Hayes was a bit too much for those at WWE. PW Insider reports that the crowd was told by staff not to use the F-word, as used in their “F*** you Melo” chant. The opening segment had to be heavily censored on TV. Hayes would explain his betrayal of Trick later in the show.
More WWE NXT Notes
After the show, Joe Gacy came out from under the ring and was attacked by Carmelo Hayes. Hayes had attacked Ilja Dragunov after his main event match with Dijak. The crowd booed a clip teasing the WrestleMania press event on Thursday, and there were “We Want Cody” chants in support of Cody Rhodes.
Carmelo Hayes is the victim of being betrayed by Trick Williams, contrary to what we saw at Vengeance Day, according to the former NXT Champion.
At WWE NXT’s latest Premium Live Event, Williams failed to dethrone NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov in the show’s main event. After the match, Hayes ambushed his friend and attacked him with a steel chair. This came after months of teased tensions between the pair, who also lost the Dusty Rhodes Classic finals earlier in the show. As he left, Melo told the fans that they had made him this way.
Carmelo Hayes Gives No Explanation
This week’s episode of WWE NXT kicked off with Carmelo Hayes, who walked out to the ring with a steel chair in his hand. Hayes took a seat in the ring to a chorus of boos from the fans in Orlando. After taking his time, Hayes told fans “not yet.”
Later in the show, Hayes came back and said he was not jealous of Trick as he wanted Williams to be successful. With that said, Trick betrayed him by pursuing the NXT Championship, according to Melo, who added that the two of them are not on the same level.
Hayes also admitted that he was the one who attacked Trick several months ago. He said that since Williams went behind his back for the NXT Championship, he had to put him in his place. Trick’s theme then played which earned a massive ovation from the fans. This however was just a ‘trick’ from Melo, who relished in fooling the fans.
Hayes then closed the segment by saying that Trick Williams was his hype and that’s the way it will always be.
One NXT Superstar’s days with WWE may be numbered if a new contract with the promotion isn’t finalized in the coming weeks or months.
Fightful Select reports that Dijak’s WWE contract is up in June of 2024. The former Retribution member signed a five-year deal with WWE in 2019. At the time, WWE signed many Superstars to lengthy contracts to prevent anyone from leaving for AEW, which had launched in January of that year. It is unclear at this time if WWE and Dijak are currently in talks over a new deal. It has been stated for other contracts that WWE is leaving things much closer to the expiration date before entering talks.
Dijak in WWE
Dominik Dijakovic was initially offered a contract from WWE in January 2017, but that offer was pulled following a legal threat from ROH, who still had him under contract. The following month, Dijakovic opted not to re-sign with ROH, and his signing with WWE was confirmed by the company that September.
Initially part of the NXT brand, Dijakovic was one of the gold brand’s prominent stars but failed in efforts to capture the NXT and NXT North American titles. In September 2020, he was revealed as a member of Retribution under the name T-Bar, which he’d continue to use after the group’s split in early 2021. In 2022, Dijakovic returned to WWE NXT, now dubbed Dijak. His most recent match saw the veteran defeat Joe Gacy in a No Disqualification match at last weekend’s NXT Vengeance Day event.
Dijak recently had some choice words for fans spamming WWE NXT Superstar posts with pro-Cody Rhodes messages…
Tonight’s NXT Vengeance Day event will sound much different than expected, as Booker T will not be commentating on the show.
On Twitter, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer shared that a medical procedure will keep him from the latest Premium Live Event of the gold brand. Booker will also miss the next few weeks due to this situation and thanked the fans for their support.
I will not be at #NXTVengenceDay tonight and I’ll be off TV the next couple weeks due to a medical procedure I had to have. But – I’m all good and I’ll be back in action on @WWENXT in no time! Thank you all for your support, couldn’t do it with out the people. Shucky Ducky!
Booker has been a commentator for WWE NXT since October of 2022, and calls the action each week with Vic Joseph. Booker’s tenure with NXT has allowed him to remain close to Roxanne Perez, who was mentored by Booker before she joined WWE.
Booker’s role as an NXT commentator isn’t his first time behind the desk. In February 2011, shortly after his return to WWE, Booker was revealed as the new color commentator for SmackDown. He has also had multiple stints as a commentator for WWE Monday Night Raw.
WWE NXT Vengeance Day
Here is the card for WWE NXT: Vengeance Day as it stands:
Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams (Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals)
Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez (NXT Women’s Championship)
Oba Femi (c) vs. Dragon Lee (NXT North American Championship)
The Family (Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Adriana Rizzo) vs. Out The Mud (Lucien Price, Bronco Nima, and Jaida Parker) (with Scrypts)
Dijak vs. Joe Gacy (No Disqualification Match)
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Trick Williams (NXT Championship)
William Regal’s recent appearance on WWE NXT marks his first since returning to the company over a year ago and Shawn Michaels knows Regal is a fan favorite.
Speaking with the media on the NXT Vengeance Day media call, HBK was asked by Ella Jay of SEScoops if Regal’s passing of the torch to Ava Raine as the new NXT General Manager meant more things to come from the future WWE Hall of Famer.
“[Regal] is there for her counsel in any way he can help. So look, you know as well as I do here in NXT, when you have a staple and a foundational person like William Regal you gotta have more than just one shot with him here and there.
“I think everybody was extremely excited about his brief cameo on NXT television. I have no doubt that we will have some other cameos by William Regal in the future as well.”
Regal may have been off-television for an entire year since leaving AEW, but that was per stipulation of him exiting the company. A big reason for Regal wanting to return to WWE was that his son, Charlie Dempsey is a rising talent in NXT and he wanted to be part of his development.
Funny enough, Ava Raine is also following in her father’s footsteps as the very same week The Rock was announced as a member of the TKO Board Of Directors, Raine was appointed the new GM, a major role that she’s hoping to electrify in.
Please credit and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.
WWE NXT Superstar Dani Palmer will be out of action indefinitely after undergoing hip surgery this week, with a second hip surgery planned for later this year.
Taking to Instagram, Palmer shared the news about her double hip surgery but remained positive about her future. Palmer added that she had already had the first surgery.
“Jeremiah 29:11. This year so far has been chaotic…scary but BEAUTIFUL…and nothing like the plan I had in mind for 2024…but I have a peace that makes no sense because I know the author of my story. I have to have a double hip surgery this year, and God is great because I knocked the first one out this morning and it went fantastic! Thank you everyone for all the prayers.“
For anyone curious about the bible passage Palmer referenced in her post, Jeremiah 29:11 goes like this:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Who is Dani Palmer?
Palmer made her in-ring debut for WWE at an NXT live event in September 2022, where she was on the losing end of a six-woman tag-team match. That November, she would make her TV debut as part of NXT LVL UP, in a losing effort to Chase U’s Thea Hail. It wouldn’t be until a January 2023 edition of LVL UP that she’d score her first win, besting Lola Vice in singles action. Palmer has 33 matches to her name with WWE and boasts an 11-22 win/loss record.
Palmer played a role in a huge NXT storyline at a live event last year…
It has been a family affair on WWE NXT lately for Mr. Robert Stone. The veteran wrestler and manager saw his twin sons Carter and Cash on the show. They’ve had a hand helping Stone’s client Von Wagner prepare for his big match this week for the Heritage Cup against Noam Dar. I recently spoke with the proud dad, who says it’s gratifying to see his boys go on this ride.
“They are like the coolest kids in their school,” Stone said. “I try to think back. When I was seven years old, my older brother loved wrestling, so I was obsessed with professional wrestling if I could have been on TV and shown up at school and showed all my friends myself on TV.
How cool would that have been? They are going through that now.They’ve been on twice in the past two months or so, and it is the coolest thing. The parents watch. The teachers know. It’s a lot of fun for them. I’m happy for them.”
Stone isn’t sure who initially had the idea to get the kids a role on the show. At the same time, he isn’t surprised about it either as he describes them as naturals in front of the camera.
“When you meet them, you just say these kids should probably be on TV,” he said. “They are pretty wild. I think everyone was on board when they heard it b because why not? You never don’t like something when children are involved. This is such a big match for them. They’ve been rooting for Von so much. They helped him train. They called themselves his coaches. They’ll be watching, at least from the audience. As long as the matches aren’t too late and it’s not past their bedtime I think my wife will let it happen.”
Robert Stone On His Time With WWE
It’s been quite the journey for Stone, who spent almost 20 years putting in the work before getting a WWE contract in 2019. The former TNA Impact Wrestling star has managed to find his footing in a very competitive atmosphere and stay in the mix. He takes pride in being a personality on the show, even described by Shawn Michaels as this new age Bobby Heenan or Jimmy Hart.
“It’s crazy when you say 2019. There have been so many changes in NXT since that time,” Stone said. “I’m actually one of the longest people within the locker room since that time that is still in NXT, which is crazy when you think about it. I went from Black and Gold to 2.0 to kind of Black and Gold again. It is a family. You train together. You do the weekend shows together. We do the PLEs on the road together. It’s a very tight locker room.
“Everyone is rooting for one another. Everyone works together at TV to make the best possible product, which I think is coming out now. NXT is hotter than ever. It’s a cool thing to be a part of. I have been in the industry for so long and locker rooms are not always like that. They are very cutthroat and everyone is out for themselves. It’s not like that here. It shouldn’t be any other way. It’s great to be a part of.”
Transitioning to a Personality
The 40-year-old credits his longevity to his ability to evolve and adapt. He is always looking at taking on another skill set or challenge to be a valuable asset to WWE. And that often means not lacing up the boots but being the guy ringside and still being an important part of the presentation.
“I wrestled in 2000, so when 2019 came around my body has been beat up. I’ve been doing this for a long time. So when it got offered to me this role where I’m not wrestling so much and was a manager, I was the right guy to come to. I feel like to be an on-air character and not have to do all the physical stuff as often, I’m the perfect guy for that. As I get older, with my body it’s harder to handle wrestling. As they say, this isn’t ballet. I was pretty beat up, so it was nice to do something different.
I like learning different things. I commentated on Level Up a few times, so I’m learning commentary. Now I’m doing a little producing and coaching matches. I’m always down to learn something different, so I wanted to take this head-on…”
Working With Chelsea Green and Von Wagner
Before being linked to Wagner, Stone worked with a number of talents. Among them was Chelsea Green, who is currently been making the most of her second chance with WWE. Stone couldn’t be happier to see her success. And if she really needs a manager, he is still one call away.
“When I first debuted on TV, me and Chelsea were together. It was short-lived. We were actually in the 2020 Royal Rumble. It was three or four months we worked together. We really bonded. We still have a connection. We’re still pretty close. I’m obviously excited for her and how great she is shining right now.”
Stone’s focus remains on building up Wagner. Someone who had all the physical tools and potential to be a major WWE superstar. What the standout athlete has missed is a connection to the audience. However, through vignettes and Stone as his mouthpiece, he has been able to come out of his shell a little more.
“I think it has been the best thing for him. When they see him. A big guy. A monster who screams. He is like everyone else. Why should we like this guy or be interested in him or why deserve to be here? Fans thought this without knowing him. He had that story about his head. When he was born and had multiple surgeries on his head and battled through that. It shows you what he has been through a lot. A reason to like him.”
Like a great manager/agent, Stone sells his client’s credentials and upside.
They also don’t know he is a second-generation wrestler. He was an amazing athlete in college. He was a Division 1 football player at UCF, a three-sport athlete in high school They don’t know he genuinely cares about this industry. He grew up in it. His dad wrestled. He absorbs and wants to learn and regularly trains and is not just the guy who is going through the motions. He wants to keep getting better. He is continuously getting better with every match. He has a bright future, and now people are starting to get that.”
