Lee went one-on-one with an enhancement talent inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. As one would imagine, this was a squash match that saw Lee nab the pinfall easily. Lee has been competing in dark matches since getting his win back over Karrion Kross on the Aug. 2 edition of Raw.
Keith Lee’s Absence Explained
Lee had been out of action for five months. While Lee teased an explanation for a while, nothing had come to light for quite a while. In a YouTube video, Lee broke his silence and revealed that he suffered from inflammation of the heart following a COVID-19 diagnosis (h/t Comic Book).
“I got a call saying there was something off with my blood. Some people might have experienced this thing where there’s an inflammation in the heart or lungs, for me it was the heart. And that led to very scary times. I was basically forbidden or any training outside of a light walk. So there was a fear that doing more than that there was a chance that I could up and pass away. So, for three or four months this was kind of the case and I had several MRIs on my heart.”
“Very fortunately, even though it took a long time we waited that amount of time, that allowed for the inflammation in my heart to eventually go down to normal. Even though the first MRI was bad and the second MRI was worse, over time things got better here and there. Eventually, after that visit, I was cleared to try and get back into some sort of shape. That’s where the real struggle is. But it took some time, and to be honest it wasn’t even certain that I was going to show up in Dallas (where he returned and challenged Lashley to a non-title match) in terms of on TV.”
Some have speculated that WWE could be testing the waters with Keith Lee to see if he’s truly 100 percent. Others believe that since he isn’t factored into SummerSlam plans this year, he’ll just stay active through dark matches. In his video, Lee admitted that getting back in ring shape has been his toughest task.
Raw star Keith Lee and several NXT stars were in action tonight and they wrestled dark matches before this week’s episode of SmackDown went on air.
Lee wrestled in a very short match against an enhancement talent who wasn’t introduced to the crowd. He squashed the unnamed star for a quick win.
The second match of the night saw NXT star Ridge Holland facing the high flyer Austin Theory. Holland picked up a victory over Theory in this singles match.
The final dark match before the episode of SmackDown kicked off was a tag team bout featuring female competitors from NXT. It saw Xia Li and Aliyah teaming up for a match.
The duo faced the team of Dakota Kai and Kacy Catanzaro during this dark match. The team of Li and Aliyah ended up defeating Kai and Catanzaro after a standard match.
Keith Lee recently posted a video explaining his absence from WWE programming over the last few months. He revealed that some post covid complications led to him not being able to wrestle for an extended period.
This week’s episode of SmackDown featured many notable developments including a big title change. You can check out the full SmackDown results at this link.
WWE superstar Keith Lee reveals what sidelined him earlier this year.
For a couple of months, Lee has posted on Twitter that he’d explain why he was off of TV. Today, He released a Youtube video explaining that he had covid in January, which resulted in him being inactive. In February, he would return, but Lee received news that something was off in his blood.
“…some people may have experienced this thing where there is an inflammation in the heart or lungs. For me, it was the heart. That led to very scary times. I was basically forbidden from trying, or any activity outside of a light walk,” said Lee.
He also shared that there was a possibility that if he did more than advised, he could’ve died. The health scare lasted for 3 or 4 months until the heart inflammation went away.
Timeline of Lee’s Absense
Lee’s last match in January was a win against Sheamus on January 11th at Monday Night Raw. However, after January 11th, he tested positive for Covid. Lee missed the Royal Rumble on January 31st.
He returned at a Raw event on February 8th to defeat Matt Riddle when he received the news from doctors about the heart inflammation. The original plan was for Lee to be in a triple threat match for the United States championship at Elimination Chamber on February 21st. However, WWE pulled him from the card, and he would be inactive till he got cleared.
After Lee recovered from the heart inflammation, he returned to Raw on July 19th in a loss against WWE champion Bobby Lashley. Except for this week, he has been active on Raw.
Although the experience was daunting, Lee feels appreciation for being healthy today. “… I don’t really know what’s next, right? The idea for me is I fought the battle that matters the most, and I’m healthy. At the end of the day, that’s all I can really ask for. That’s all my family can ask for,” said Lee.
Near the end of the second hour of Monday’s episode of Raw, WWE Champion Bobby Lashley issued an open challenge to anyone who would answer it from Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center and Lee was the one to step up.
Lee had been out of action since February as it was reported that he was not medically cleared to compete. WWE had advertised Lashley defending the United States Title against Matt Riddle and Lee in a Triple Threat Match at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event. This was after Lee had disappeared from television.
Lee had been cryptic in the past via messages on Twitter about his status. At one point he told one fan that only time will tell what’s next for him and then noted that he will find another way to explain his WWE hiatus.
The last that fans had heard from Lee was on the one-year anniversary of his WWE NXT Title victory at last year’s Great American Bash where he beat Adam Cole to win the title while he was the North American Champion.
Keith Lee’s real name is Keith Lee and it’s been his wrestling name as well since 2008. WWE filed to trademark the name “Keith Lee” for wrestling purposes in the summer of 2019. Lee had signed with WWE the previous year.
Back in December, Lee put in his own trademark application for the name as well. According to documents obtained by HeelByNature, however, Lee’s attorney was sent a response from the USPTO recently stating there are two issues with his application and one of them is that WWE had previously filed to trademark the name.
“a mark in a prior-filed pending application may present a bar to registration of applicant’s mark.”
“The filing date of pending U.S. Application Serial No. 88594009 precedes applicant’s filing date.”
Today is a day that can and will define the future. The wheels can have motion and move forward….or…. they can stop completely.
The application is also being rejected on the grounds that “Keith Lee” refers to a person and not a service.
“The personal name of an individual or group is registrable as a service mark only where the record shows that it is used in a manner that would be perceived by consumers as identifying the services in addition to identifying the person or group. In this case, the specimen shows the applied-for mark used only to identify the name of an individual/group and not as a service mark for applicant’s services because, as used in the specimen of record, the wording KEITH LEE appears only to refer to the name of an individual, not the identified services.”
To the people offering uplifting words…. know that I appreciate you greatly. And worry not, when I say #iAmLimitless, I MEAN IT.
I will try to find a way to explain everything in the most efficient way possible. Give me just a little more time.
That Keith Lee and WWE are both attempting to trademark his name will likely lead to speculation regarding Lee’s recent absence from WWE programming. Lee has not wrestled on WWE programming since February. He defeated Riddle in a match on the February 8th, 2021 episode.
Lee has also been sharing numerous ominous messages regarding his whereabouts in recent months.
I wanted to do something educational, but also inspiring to tell you guys about everything since late January. Seems that is off the table for now.
So….with that, I will find another way to tell guys about everything. It might simply a video of me chatting with you. We'll see.
Keith Lee has shared his latest message to the fans wondering about his absence from the WWE TV and said that he will ‘find another way.’
The former NXT champion took on Twitter yesterday and once again shared an obscure message for his supporters saying that he wanted to do something educational for them.
Lee mentioned that that idea is off the table now for some reason. Though he also claimed that he will find another way to tell everything and it could be as simple as a video message:
I wanted to do something educational, but also inspiring to tell you guys about everything since late January. Seems that is off the table for now.
So….with that, I will find another way to tell guys about everything. It might simply a video of me chatting with you. We'll see.
The former NXT star has been off WWE programming for a while now. He last wrestled for the company in February and the heavyweight star was then taken off TV before the Elimination Chamber PPV.
Keith Lee was later revealed to be not medically cleared to compete. He underwent some testing in March. Though that was the last update on his situation and the result of the tests or the reason behind it were never shared.
The former champion has since made a few sporadic tweets but people have found it hard to make anything out of messages he has sent out.
Keith Lee has not been fired by the company despite the recent multiple waves of releases. So fans are still hopeful about seeing him back in a WWE ring but there is no word on when or if that will happen.
Keith Lee’s status in WWE has been up in the air for a few months now after disappearing from TV since February. In March, it was reported that he was not cleared to compete due to health reasons.
Lee was active again on social media where he sent another message for his supporters:
“To the people offering uplifting words…. know that I appreciate you greatly. And worry not, when I say #iAmLimitless, I MEAN IT. I will try to find a way to explain everything in the most efficient way possible. Give me just a little more time.”
Lee also responded to a fan who said he can’t do moonsaults from the third rope.
Over the weekend, Lee responded to a fan on Twitter asking what was next for him and he wrote, “Good question. Unfortunately, only time will tell my friend.”
On Sunday, there was a rumor going around that he had been released by WWE, which is NOT true. Lee’s fiancée Mia Yim took to Twitter to comment on people speculating on Lee’s status.
To the people offering uplifting words…. know that I appreciate you greatly. And worry not, when I say #iAmLimitless, I MEAN IT.
I will try to find a way to explain everything in the most efficient way possible. Give me just a little more time.
The latest thing to be reported about Lee was in February as it was noted he underwent some testing, but there’s been no word on what came of those tests. However, it was said that Lee was actively trying to get cleared for a return.
Lee did appear on the Watch Along livestream for the WWE NXT “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” Night Two show during WrestleMania 37 Week.
In a quick series of Tweets, WWE superstar Keith Lee has drawn more intrigue than many other active storylines.
The limitless one has fallen out of favour on the main roster in recent months. Injuries are being cited as the reason for this. However, there are enough rumours claiming it is more of a creative dispute than anything else. This was openly discussed by Mike Johson of PWInsider on a recent audio show.
Keith Lee is a firm fan favourite in WWE. Unfortunately, his use since making the step up to the main roster has seen his career stall quite dramatically. If Lee’s tweets are anything to go by, there is a chance we will be seeing him back on the black and gold brand sooner rather than later.
Today is a day that can and will define the future. The wheels can have motion and move forward….or…. they can stop completely.
If the rumours of creative disagreements are true, then Keith Lee would be better served moving back to NXT. The time is fast coming where NXT is also going to be regarded as a main roster show. Their talent regularly outperforms their Raw and Smackdown counterparts, and with brand loyalty increasing, it has to be announced that it is no longer merely a developmental territory.
Lee would fit right in on NXT, and there are already a number of interesting rivalries that the Limitless One could walk straight into.
Keith Lee has fans talking after sending out two cryptic tweets. The WWE Raw star took to Twitter to say today is the day that can and will define the future.
He wrote, “Today is a day that can and will define the future. The wheels can have motion and move forward….or…. they can stop completely. ……Make your wheels turn. Accept no substitute.”
The Raw star also shared a photo of him standing next to a cage at WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames. This has caused some fans to think he could be headed back to NXT.
As it stands now, there’s been no word yet on if these tweets are related to anything on television.
His status has been up in the air for the past few months after being out of action since February. In March, it was reported he was actively trying to get cleared for a return to in-competition. He did make an appearance on the Watch Along livestream for the NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver Night Two show over WrestleMania 37 week.
The reason he’s been on the shelf is due to health reasons and WWE has not cleared him for in-ring action. He did undergo some testing in February, but it’s unclear what the results or exact reason for the tests.
Lee did send out some messages to his fans on social media during this time. One time he teased his return while the other was promising to explain everything that has kept him out of action.
WWE announced on Thursday that Keith Lee is slated to return to their programming this week.
He’ll do so when he participates in the Watch Along episode for the second night of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver – Night 2 event on Thursday. He’ll join Ricochet, Samoa Joe, Dominik Mysterio, and others on the stream, which will be hosted by Matt Camp, Evan T. Mack, and Ryan Pappolla of The Bump.
His status with WWE has made headlines as of late because he has been out of action since early February. Last month, it was reported that Lee was actively trying to get cleared for a return and had been working out at the Performance Center.
He did break his silence in a statement posted on Twitter, but aside from that, has been quiet. This return comes at the same time as former WWE on-air personality Cathy Kelley coming back to the company for at least one night as she participated in the Watch Along episode for TakeOver Night 1.
For fans wanting to check it out, the Takeover Watch Along episodes will air live on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Raw star Keith Lee has mysteriously been away from the WWE programming in recent weeks, making fans wonder about his status with the company. Now Fightful Select has provided some update on his condition and the site reveals that the former NXT champion has been sidelined due to medical reasons.
It’s not a case of creatives having nothing for him. Lee was originally taken off TV due to health reasons back in February and he hasn’t been cleared by the doctors since. The former champion underwent some medical testing when he was originally taken out of action last month. Though there is no word yet on the results of the tests.
The report also reveals that the company had plans for Keith Lee to win the United States Championship before being pulled from the Elimination Chamber PPV. The former NXT star last wrestled on the February 8 episode of Raw where he defeated Matt Riddle.
He was scheduled for a triple threat match alongside Bobby Lashley and Matt Riddle at Elimination Chamber. John Morrison replaced Keith Lee in this match after he was pulled from the show. The bout then saw Riddle capturing the US title by defeating the other two opponents.
Keith Lee is actively trying to get cleared but so far he hasn’t been given the green light by WWE doctors. We will have to wait and see if he is able to make a return before the WrestleMania 37 event next month.
Former NXT champion Keith Lee has issued a short obscure statement addressing the fans on his recent absence from the WWE programming.
The Raw star took on his Twitter to share a message with the fans. He claimed that he hears their chatter and one day, he will explain everything:
“I hear many of you. I see many of the messages. One day, I will explain it all for the ones true to me. For now, know that I more than appreciate the continued support. And WHEN I return, it will be filled with all the love I have for those that represent this #LEEGION”
I hear many of you. I see many of the messages. One day, I will explain it all for the ones true to me.
For now, know that I more than appreciate the continued support.
And WHEN I return, it will be filled with all the love I have for those that represent this #LEEGION
Keith Lee has been out of action since his match with Matt Riddle during the February 8th episode of Raw. He had been out of the ring several weeks before that as well and his last match before his bout with Riddle was during the January 11th episode of the show.
The former NXT North American champion was announced as a competitor for the triple threat United States Championship match at the Elimination Chamber PPV but he was pulled from the show.
He was replaced by John Morrison in the match also featuring Riddle and Bobby Lashley. At the time, the company had said that Lee was dealing with an injury. There have been no updates on his status since then. This new statement from Keith Lee is only expected to fuel the chatter about his absence further.
WWE Superstar Keith Lee has reportedly been injured and will no longer be taking part in the Elimination Chamber PPV event. Lee was scheduled to be part of the Triple Threat match for the United States Championship.
PWInsider confirmed the news tonight that Keith Lee will not be part of the show. Lee is apparently not backstage and the nature of the injury is thus far not public knowledge. WWE did state on screen that Bobby Lashley injured Lee on a recent episode of Monday Night RAW, although this appears to just be storyline justification at this point.
WWE held a Fatal Four Way on the kickoff show to determine the replacement for Keith Lee. Ricochet, Mustafa Ali, John Morrison and ELIAS all participated in the contest, with John Morrison taking the win and filling in for Keith Lee tonight.
Bobby Lashley says he wants Keith Lee in his Hurt Business faction. Lashley thinks Lee is a star who is ready to breakout and the Hurt Business would propel him to the next level.
While speaking to TV Insider, WWE’s reigning United States Champion was asked if he sees any similarities between himself and Keith Lee.
“Now that you say that, I kind of do,” Lashley said about seeing some of his own characteristics in Keith Lee. “When I first came in, I was a major player. Then I hovered. At certain times I faced John Cena, Booker T. and JBL, but I never broke through to get that world title. Keith has earned respect from a lot of people.”
Lashley added, “He has been going out there and doing everything he has to do. I think he’s the kind of person who might need a little Hurt Business in his life to take him to that next level. He is ready to breakout, as are others.”
Keith Lee was added to the main roster in 2020 after a great stint in NXT, where he won the NXT Championship and also the North American Championship.
Since The Hurt Business has seen some tension amongst the members, Bobby Lashley was asked if there is a possibility the group might disband.
“No. Sometimes when we disagree, it’s just being brothers — you have little spats. There’s no chance we’re breaking up.”
Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley will defend his United States title against Keith Lee himself and Matt Riddle in a triple-threat match at the Elimination Chamber event this Sunday. He defeated Apollo Crews at Payback last year to win the title for the second time in his career.
In the eyes of some fans, Keith Lee had a rocky start to his run on the main roster as a member of WWE Raw.
He held both the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship in 2020. However, he was called up after SummerSlam and immediately underwent presentation changes as his music and attire were altered. This upset some fans.
Lee recalled how he found out about his music being changed while speaking to Bleacher Report.
“That was something else. Originally, honestly, even I was a little perplexed. You get all the people who came up to Raw who still used their old music. Mind you, none of them did their own music. I’m the only one that did, so it would make more sense for me to be the one to keep using my music.
However, that did not happen, so they asked me to use something else, and I did, and I tried to be as accommodating a possible by putting the front of the song on that track, and it just didn’t vibe [laughs]. It was rough, man! I did the best I could given the circumstances.”
Lee recalled thinking to himself that he just had to go with it until he can figure something out. He joked the fan backlash over it made him think if they were his friends or not.
“I think I’m starting to understand some things here. Between the gear and the music, I just got destroyed.”
He noted that he had nothing ready for new music because he didn’t think he would have to change it. He added that he wrote some things up with the music guys until he was happy. Lee said the current music he’s using now is different from what he wanted to use but happy to have something that he wrote and performed.
WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Keith Lee and the reports that he has been sent back to the WWE Performance Center; appaerntly for more ‘seasoning’ by Vince McMahon himself.
“As the owner of the company and as the boss?” Bully Ray would begin on Busted Open. “If he’s not happy with somebody’s performance? He’s well within his rights to try to get them some help and get them up to working specs.”
Bully Ray on Keith Lee
There were a number of performers supposedly sent back to the PC to work on their skills. These included Otis, Dabba-Kato, Omos and RETRIBUTION member Mace. “Keith Lee is the one that everybody’s been talking about” Bully Ray would continue. “Keith Lee is the one that has everybody scratching their head as to why. I guess there was no specifics given? As to why he wanted him to get some extra help? Some extra work? Some extra polish?”
Bully Ray would finish by comparing Lee’s current situation to that of Drew McIntyre. Early on in his WWE career Drew McIntyre was dubbed ‘The Chosen One;’ but it wasn’t until he left WWE that he was able to become a main event player and then return. Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton in only his second ever main roster match, leading Bully Ray to make the comparison. “I thought about this, remember when Drew McIntyre wasn’t getting the job done in Vince’s eyes? What did Vince do with Drew McIntyre? He let him go and said ‘come back when you get more polished and you think you’re ready.’ That’s exactly what Drew did.”
“Vince is not enamoured with Keith Lee, with his work or his promo, whatever. Vince has every option contractually, or right contractually, to sit out Keith Lee and not do anything with Keith Lee.”
Do you think that Vince McMahon is ‘investing’ in Keith Lee by getting him to work more on aspects of his WWE work? Do you think that Bully Ray is right in his Drew McIntyre comparison? Let us know in the comments
Keith Lee has gotten the spotlight in the last couple of years and after grinding for more than one and half decade, the heavyweight star has finally started to get the recognition he deserves.
The latest WWE 24 documentary looks at the struggles the former NXT champion has had to endure to get to his current spot in the professional wrestling world.
A clip WWE posted of the documentary recently sees Lee talking about his time in NXT and he reveals how the late great Dusty Rhodes helped in the creation of his famous catchphrase:
“When it was time to do our thing on the mic, I felt like I was a completely different individual, Dusty Rhodes came to me, and said, ‘Son, you got a presence I can literally bask in.’
And when he said that I have a presence that he can literally bask in, ‘Bask in my glory’ was born.” said Keith Lee, “Dusty let me know that, and I was proud.”
"Son, you got a presence I can literally bask in." – Dusty Rhodes
Keith Lee made his wrestling debut in 2005 and spent the next decade or so competing for various indie promotions such as Ring of Honor, Evolve and more.
His first WWE tryout was in 2008 and he had multiple tryouts with the company after that but the former NXT star was not signed by the promotion until 2018.
Keith Lee impressed everyone with his performance at last year’s Survivor Series PPV and then at Royal Rumble earlier this year, which resulted in him being called up to Raw in August after the SummerSlam PPV.
However, his transition from NXT to the main roster wasn’t as smooth as fans were hoping. The officials changed his theme song and ring gear for his debut which made many concerned about his future in the company.
During a recent interview with ComicBook.com, the former NXT star talked about his main roster call-up and discussed how he acclimated to the changes in his first month on the Red Brand:
“That first month was all over the place, I think that making it through that was enough for me to get an understanding of where I was and how I needed to approach things going forward.
I think that the first three weeks really kind of forced that acclimation, and if I had failed within those first three weeks, I was going to struggle going forward.” said Keith Lee, “But I think I’ve done quite fine.”
The former NXT Champion then discussed the change in his theme song and ring gear for his main roster debut. He said that it’s understandable why fans did not like the change and voiced their opinion against it.
Though he mentioned how the officials noticed the backlash from fans and asked Lee to come up with a new theme which he has since debuted on Raw.
Keith Lee believes it’s “too early” to judge his main roster run. Speaking with SI.com, Lee stressed how he hasn’t even been on Raw for half a year yet, suggesting that there’s still plenty of time for him to further establish himself on WWE’s red brand.
“There are things I have done that a lot of people have not, in terms of showing up and stepping right up to one of the best that’s ever done this,” Lee said, referring to interrupting Randy Orton. “Those are things that make it standout, but in terms of trying to rate, it’s too early.”
He stressed how he doesn’t believe in the ratings system and the “rest of that nonsense.” Lee then acknowledged how, “The way things have been going, it’s been a grind. At the end of the day, that’s all I need.”
Lee explained how he intends to continue embracing that grind. He wants to continue making the “best of anything I do.” He added how he doesn’t rate it; he just does it as that’s who he is.
“Take one thing and make it better than it was before. That’s all I can do, and I have to work within the confines of what is given to me,” Lee explained. “As long as I do those things, I’m OK with it.”
Keith Lee competed in a Triple Threat match last night on Monday Night Raw against AJ Styles and Riddle. The winner would earn a WWE Championship matchup against Drew McIntyre at TLC. AJ Styles ultimately won the bout, punching his ticket to TLC.
Keith Lee gave some interesting comments while doing an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.
Lee had a great run in NXT and even became the top star by being the NXT Champion. However, he does admit that he feels like he abandoned everyone on the brand when he was called up to the main roster.
“Most definitely,” Lee responded. “As monumental as it’s been to go to the main roster, I’m not sure it was so important to end that [NXT championship reign] as abruptly as it happened.”
He brought up watching NXT because he has friends there such as Damian Priest. Thus, he saw how Karrion Kross was sidelined with a shoulder injury when the rising star won the title from him in August and then Finn Balor became the champion only to be out of action with a broken jaw.
“I like those guys, and I feel like I abandoned them. It’s difficult to think about.”
He noted that he’s proud of what he’s done on the main roster, but it’s been difficult to see the injuries. He mentioned that he doesn’t know what would’ve happened if he had stayed longer.
“At the end of the day, we’re not always in control of our journey, and that’s just how it goes. The main roster wanted me, and that’s where I ended up. All I can do right now is root those guys on and be there for them in whatever capacity I can be, while still focusing on what I’m doing.”
Lee will work the Sudden Death Triple Threat with AJ Styles and Riddle on Monday’s RAW to determine the new #1 contender to the WWE Network.
WWE Raw Superstar Keith Lee is set to be featured in an upcoming episode of WWE Network’s documentary series, WWE 24. Lee shared the news via Twitter. He acknowledged how, despite everything happening in the world, he is thankful.
Lee wrote: “Amidst all the currents of this world… I am thankful. The people close to me. The #WWEUniverse. Struggles… victories. All of it built this…so far. The people who helped create this little piece of me. I look forward to offering it to you…the #Leegion #HappyThanksgiving”
Amidst all the currents of this world… I am thankful.
The people close to me. The #WWEUniverse. Struggles… victories. All of it built this…so far.
WWE 24 first debuted on the WWE Network back in 2015 with a special episode sharing behind-the-scenes insight into the production of WrestleMania XXX.
The series has since covered not only events but the lives of some of WWE’s top Superstars. The documentary follows them for 24 hours, providing a “lightning-fast journey through a day in the life of WWE’s most intriguing Superstars.”
Keith Lee was enjoying a main event run in NXT earlier this year. He not only won the NXT North American Championship but also the NXT Championship in 2020. He would eventually drop the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver XXX on August 22 prior to his main roster debut on Monday Night Raw on August 24.
Raw Superstar Keith Lee has opened up about his debut on WWE’s red brand and what he thinks about his experiences on the main roster to date.
Reflecting on his move from NXT to Raw in an interview with SportsNet.ca, Lee shared how the transition was “astronomical” for him. Lee immediately made an impact on Raw by “stepping into Randy Orton’s space.”
“I don’t know many people that have done that. It was a very large transition, especially those first few weeks of fighting him and trying to work to a pay-per-view, and the triple threat for a number one contenders thing with the world title – it was a lot, to say the least. A big transition.”
Differences Between NXT And Raw
When it comes to the differences between Raw and NXT, Lee pointed to the new Superstars he gets to interact and work with. He admitted how he was “fortunate” to already have several friends on the Raw roster. This made his transition to Monday night’s an easier process overall:
“[…] the biggest difference is just getting to know people that I’ve either never wrestled or never met, and just getting used to how things are and the way things work at RAW… At the end of the day, I was actually very fortunate because I had several friends on RAW, so I wasn’t unsure or uncomfortable. I’m a fairly confident guy anyway, so when it comes to the transition, it felt very natural.”
Keith Lee’s Raw Experience
Regarding his experiences as a Raw Superstar to date, Lee was quick to point at the talent he’s been able to work.
He shared how he’s “grateful” to have shared the ring with Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and Seth Rollins. He believes their matches have allowed him to “test” himself.
Lee believes he’s held his own against WWE’s top Superstars before setting forth his future goals. According to him, he wants to get through Survivor Series and then face off against Braun Strowman. Once that’s done, he intends to move back into the WWE Championship picture.
Keith Lee is a member of Team Raw’s Survivor Series team. He joins AJ Styles, Sheamus, and Braun Strowman. They are set to compete against Team SmackDown at Survivor Series on November 22nd.
Raw Superstar Keith Lee had some words for WWE Champion Drew McIntyre on this week’s episode of Raw Talk.
The former NXT Champion addressed McIntyre’s involvement in his matches, including his recent bout on Monday Night Raw. Randy Orton defeated Lee via Disqualification thanks to McIntyre’s interference.
Lee acknowledged the history that exists between himself and McIntyre. He stressed how “Drew McIntyre is a friend of mine. We have history, lots of history. Some not so great, some great even before WWE.”
He explained how he understands McIntyre’s motivation in attacking Orton. However, Lee confessed he has taken issue with the impact McIntyre has had on his time on Raw so far.
“[…] I get why tonight but I have an issue with the fact that I know that you know there’s only one chance that you have to make a first impression and you interfered in that. I have since redeemed you. I have avenged you and said ‘okay, now this is done, I took care of this for you, now you can come back and give him the beating that he deserves.’ I get another opportunity here and you show up and do it again. I don’t understand.”
Keith Lee Wants Respect
Lee stressed how McIntyre should be giving him a chance to shine on his own merit as he’s “just got here.” He added how he respects McIntyre as a person and as a champion, but noted he also wanted to be respected in turn.
“Our past doesn’t matter right now, this is about respect man to man. I’m asking you man to man, no more of that. Do what you need to do. No more of my matches. I have to prove that I am limitless. That’s to Drew.”
Lee debuted on the 8/24 episode of Monday Night Raw after dropping the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver: XXX.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on Renee Young’s decision to leave WWE. During his Hall of Famepodcast, Booker T also discussed last weekend’s NXT Championship matchup between Keith Lee and Karrion Kross.
Booker T thanked Renee Young before highlighting how special she is. He stressed she won’t have to “worry about a check coming in the mail” before highlighting how she’s been “working on her game” for years. Booker T added she is finally at a point where she knows her own worth and what she can provide a company.
“Anybody that snatches Renee Young up, they are going to be very lucky to have her on that team because that is who she is. She is a team player.”
Booker T On Keith Lee Vs. Karrion Kross
Booker T then turned his attention to NXT TakeOver: XXX’s main event clash. He praised how “Two guys, two big guys, two bonafide heavyweights went out and had a heavyweight match up.”
He spoke highly of Kross, who he believed “showed his toughness” after separating his shoulder during the match. Booker T highlighted how Kross was hyper-aware of “what was on the line,” which helped motivate him throughout the bout despite the injury. He also gave props to Keith Lee, sharing how he is a fan of the “throwback wrestler” and that 2020 could be his year.
“I loved it when there were two big guys fighting going back and forth and then wrestling came into play. A big suplex or a big side slam or powerslam, whatever. That part of wrestling always drew me in.”
Booker T continued, sharing what he hates about modern-day wrestling:
“Wrestling today man, one of the things that kills me with wrestling today, and I’m going to say it. I’m going to spit some lyrics right now. I know they may not want me to talk about it. That damn leg pop is the damn vain of my existence. It really is. I’m sick of these wrestlers that go out and misuse the art. I’m going to leave it at that. I’m not going to go past that but that damn leg pop and you all know what I’m talking about.”
Karrion Kross defeated Keith Lee for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: XXX. Lee subsequently made his Raw debut this past Monday night.
Former NXT Champion Keith Lee has commented on the new theme music that accompanied him to the ring this past Monday night.
Although the theme music opened with the same lines as his NXT theme, it soon changed into a new song. It didn’t take long for many of the WWE Universe to criticize it as being too generic. Keith Lee is well aware of the negative backlash and has addressed the reaction via his Twitter account.
Lee stressed how the choice of theme is “out of my hands. Period.” He asked fans to “Leave it be” before promising he would attempt to sort it at a later date.
His music wasn’t the only thing that people took issue this week. Many shared negative observations over his new ring attire. Lee acknowledged this, responding to a fan’s question by asking them to once again “Leave it be and have some patience.” He added how fans should take a deep breath before asking them to “Let ME handle that stuff.”
He explained to another fan how he didn’t want fans getting caught up on the “small things.” Lee stressed that what should be acknowledged is the fact he just debuted on WWE’s red brand and faced off against Randy Orton.
Lee made his Raw debut this week, interrupting Randy Orton’s promo time. He went on to face off against Orton in a match later on in the show. “The Viper” defeated Lee via disqualification. Lee lost the NXT Championship to Karrion Kross at NXT TakeOver: XXX prior to his Raw debut.