Tag: draco anthony

Dakota Kai, Malcolm Bivens, Dexter Lumis among ten WWE NXT releases

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Eight wrestlers, a manager, and a referee have been released by WWE as part of a set of NXT roster cuts.

Dakota Kai, Malcolm Bivens, and Dexter Lumis are among those who were released by WWE today. The 10 releases are listed below:

  • Dakota Kai (real name Cheree Crowley)
  • Malcolm Bivens (the former Stokely Hathaway)
  • Harland (Parker Boudreaux)
  • Dexter Lumis (Samuel Shaw)
  • Persia Pirotta (Stephanie De Landre)
  • Draco Anthony (Reginald Chase Crews)
  • Referee Blair Baldwin (Paige Prinzivalli)
  • Vish Kanya (Sanjana George)
  • Mila Milani (Kellie Morga)
  • Raelyn Divine (Jaylen Williams)

The releases were first reported by Fightful.

Fightful reports that WWE asked Bivens to re-sign with the company this February, but Bivens made it clear that he didn’t want to do so. Bivens was the manager of NXT’s Diamond Mine faction.

On Twitter, Bivens posted a video joking about his release:

https://twitter.com/Malcolmvelli/status/1520133940127973377

Kai was a two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, holding the titles with Raquel Gonzalez both times. Kai worked several WWE dark matches in 2021 and one dark match this January, but she was never called up to the main roster. Kai also wrestled one match on Main Event last year.

Harland was an offensive lineman for the University of Central Florida before signing with WWE. He made his NXT debut last October and was paired with Joe Gacy. Over the past couple of weeks, Harland didn’t appear on television and was no longer part of Gacy’s act.

Anthony had recently feuded with Gacy and Harland.

In storyline, Lumis was Indi Hartwell’s husband in NXT. Hartwell & Lumis and Pirotta & Duke Hudson were involved in a storyline where Hartwell and Pirotta debated who the hottest couple in NXT was.

Kanya, Milani, and Divine had yet to be featured on NXT TV.

WWE 205 Live results: Joe Gacy vs. Draco Anthony

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Josh Briggs defeated Damon Kemp

This wasn’t anything special—just a brief, inconsequential heavyweight outing.

Kemp tried early for a takedown, with little success. Briggs landed a boot, multiple grounded strikes, and a splash before Kemp started to rally. A shoulder tackle left Kemp in control for the first time. Kemp tried to follow up by whipping Briggs into the corner, but Briggs bounced out, delivering a lariat. Briggs then pinned Kemp to close the opening match.

Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon defeated Amari Miller and Lash Legend

Not that this was great or anything, but there was effort put into this, so that’s something.

Feroz opened the match by landing kicks to the legs of Legend before tagging in Leon, who immediately lost control. Legend could not follow up. however, as Miller demanded a tag. She gained the lead, grounding her opponent before Legend tagged back into the match.

Legend regained the lead before tagging Miller back in, and the Miller/Legend pair worked in a successful tandem for the first time, isolating Feroz. This lasted until Legend refused to tag in, allowing Feroz to score a hot tag. Legend eventually tagged back into the match after it was clear Miller needed out.

Legend gained control over Leon, prompting Miller to tag herself back into the match, leading to a quibble between Miller and Legend. Leon then trapped Miller in a quick pin.

Joe Gacy defeated Draco Anthony

This match opened with a lot of back and forth before a distraction from Harland allowed Gacy to score a backdrop. Gacy controlled the match on the ground for some time.

After Anthony fought to his feet, he found great offensive success. Before he could finish Gacy, however, Gacy looked at him in a weird manner. This must have freaked out Anthony; he seemed flabbergasted. Gacy landed a lariat, leading to the pin.

WWE 205 Live results: Roderick Strong vs. Draco Anthony

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Andre Chase defeated Malik Blade

Chase now wrestles in slacks, a button-down, and a university sweater; I’m not sure why. 

Chase gained an early lead that lasted through the duration of the match. While he was on offense, Chase played to the “student section”, a group dressed in matching university sweaters. 

Blade escaped ground control late in the match, launching a rally that even yielded a near fall. Chase cut it short with a forearm and hammerlock DDT, leading directly to the finish.

Indi Hartwell defeated Valentina Feroz

Nothing special in this one. 

Hartwell gained control  following the opening bell. While Hartwell’s dominance was significant, Feroz managed to secure arm control after Hartwell failed to follow up. Feroz continued to focus on Hartwell’s arm throughout the match. 

As Feroz was fighting for an armbar, Hartwell powered through, turning the submission into a slam in her favour. A spine buster from Hartwell finished out the sequence and the match. 

Roderick Strong defeated Draco Anthony

This was a good main event. It was structured to be simple and easy to follow, but it delivered between the ropes. 

Anthony gained control over Strong early on, forcing Strong into the arms of Diamond Mine (who accompanied him to the ring). After his time on the outside, Strong was able to catch Anthony and take control of the match. 

Anthony regained footing by overpowering Strong on the mat. What followed was a sequence of solid offense from Anthony that lasted until he gave Strong a tiny parcel of space. From left field, Strong hit a jumping knee, leaving Anthony out for the count.