Tag: NXT

Dean Malenko’s daughter part of new group of WWE NXT signees

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Marie Malenko, the daughter of Four Horsemen member Dean Malenko, has officially joined the WWE Performance Center.

WWE unveiled its latest round of Performance Center recruits today. It’s a four-person class consisting of Mason Rook, Nicole Martinez, Marie Malenko, and Marcus Brown. In the announcement tweet, WWE identified Malenko under the ring name “Lacey Simon.”

Malenko attended a WWE tryout earlier this year and, in her young career, has already gotten experience in Japan for Pro Wrestling NOAH. Her father Dean holds a behind-the-scenes job in AEW.

The announcement of Rook’s signing was just a formality, given that he’s already made his mark on NXT and is coming off a successful TV in-ring debut where he teamed with Kam Hendrix to defeat NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo & North American Champion Myles Borne. Rook then laid out his tag partner following the match after Hendrix stole the pin on Borne.

A heavyweight from the United Kingdom who also has competed for NOAH, Rook can count John Cena among his supporters. Cena has sent out multiple tweets reacting to Rook’s segments on NXT.

Nicole Martinez is indie wrestler Nikki Blackheart, who worked a dark match at last night’s NXT. She is said to have been heavily on WWE’s radar prior to her tryout and subsequent signing.

Brown is entering pro wrestling after having been a bodybuilder. He had a WWE tryout in 2025.

Former WWE NXT wrestler reportedly cast on ‘Survivor 51’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Brady Booker, a former WWE NXT wrestler who now competes for ROH, has reportedly been cast on the next season of “Survivor.”

Inside Survivor reports that Booker is part of the anticipated cast for “Survivor 51,” which has already filmed in Fiji and is scheduled to premiere this fall. Booker returned for his first post-filming match this Monday at ROH’s TV tapings in Jacksonville.

When he was in NXT, Booker went by the name Bodhi Hayward as one of the original members of Chase U with Andre Chase & Thea Hail. He was released from his NXT contract in 2022.

Booker has featured in ROH dark matches with his trainer Billy Gunn and tag partner Elijah Drago. QT Marshall is another one of Booker’s trainers — and Booker is a former Heavyweight Champion for Marshall’s Georgia-based indie promotion One Fall Wrestling.

If Booker is crowned the winner of “Survivor 51,” he will receive a $1,000,000 grand prize.

Other wrestlers to compete on ‘Survivor’ —

Booker joins Johnny TV (John Morrison) and the late Ashley Massaro as wrestlers who have appeared on the long-running reality show. Iconic “Survivor” villain Johnny Fairplay, a huge wrestling fan, had a brief stint as an on-screen character in TNA in the wake of his reality TV stardom.

The landmark 50th season of “Survivor” wraps up tonight with its finale airing on CBS. One of the final five is Jonathan Young, an aspiring wrestler who is a mentee of Lex Luger.

WOL: House shows, tag teams, Marty Jannetty, Brittnie Brooks interview!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including an update on Marty Jannetty, some NXT notes from last night, WWE DISCOVERS the benefits to house shows, WWE also can’t keep track of their own Brock Lesnar story, and more. Then Brittnie Brooks just us to talk WrestleMania weekend, Bayley’s camps, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Indie wrestler makes WWE debut in NXT dark match under new ring name

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Nikki Blackheart made her WWE debut in a dark match on NXT. 

She competed under a new ring name ‘Martinez’ and squared off against Skylar Raye, co-winner of LFG Season Two. And Blackheart got the victory in the bout. 

In March, Blackheart talked about her WWE tryout and how Bayley’s Lodestone Wrestling Seminar helped prepare her for the career-altering move. 

Blackheart commenced her wrestling career in 2024 and was associated with CCW (Coastal Championship Wrestling) and MPX (Metroplex Wrestling). She is a former Women’s Champion in both promotions. WWE veteran Gangrel trained and mentored her to be in-ring ready at the CCW Training Center. 

She is signed to the Performance Center but the details and nature of her contract remain unknown. 

WWE NXT live results: Two title matches, Mason Rook’s in-ring debut

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight on WWE NXT is a night of debuts and title matches.

Recent weeks have seen Mason Rook, Kam Hendrix, and Tristan Angels added to the NXT roster. All three are set to make their official TV in-ring debuts tonight. In tag team action, Rook & Hendrix will look to defeat NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo and North American Champion Myles Borne. A victory would likely propel Rook and Hendrix to immediate title contention.

Angels will debut in singles action against a yet-to-be-announced opponent.

A pair of championship matches have also been announced for tonight’s episode. Lizzy Rain, another NXT newcomer, aims for gold early as she challenges Tatum Paxley for the Women’s North American Championship. And the NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line with DarkState challenging Vanity Project for their belts.

Plus, Tate Wilder makes his singles debut as he attempts to overcome Keanu Carver.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. Opening the show is a tag team match where the two singles champions in the men’s division team up against two newcomers making their in-ring debuts in NXT.

NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo & NXT North American Champion Myles Borne vs. Mason Rook & Cam Hendrix in a tag team match

—

The tag bout goes through a commercial break. Heat on Borne after the debuting duo work together to chop block Borne’s knee. Borne is worked over until Borne counters a double-team and dives for a hot tag. D’Angelo is a house of fire, and he gets a near fall after spearing Hendrix. D’Angelo takes a few really tough bumps from Rook, and D’Angelo crashes into the ring steps. Borne with a save by flying over the ropes with a flip dive to the floor.

Tavion Heights runs down to ambush Hendrix, with whom he has beef. Heights’ sneak attack sends Hendrix into Borne, which trips up Borne’s attempt at springing back into the ring. Borne is then distracted by Heights, who is removed from ringside by officials.

For the finish, a distracted Borne tries to slingshot into the ring. He is caught by Rook, and Borne takes an exploder suplex in a corner. Rook with a fireman’s carry into a jackhammer, and Rook goes for a cover. However, Hendrix is the legal man. He pushes Rook out of the way, and Hendrix pins Borne to win the match. As Hendrix celebrates his win, Rook glares at him like the meme where Undertaker is standing behind AJ Styles.

Match result: Mason Rook & Cam Hendrix defeated Tony D’Angelo & Myles Borne when Hendrix pinned Borne.

— Darkstate in a backstage skit talk about all being on the same page again. Dion Lennox inquires to Saquon Shugars what he meant about them needing to make a change. Shugars assures Lennox not worry about that. Foreshadowing would seem to indicate he should worry.

Confrontation with challengers and the women’s champ leads to melee

—

Kelani Jordan enters the sound stage for an promo in the ring. She would eventually be interrupted by several wrestlers including NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice, Izzi Dame, and Kendal Grey. Wren Sinclair runs into whack Dame with a walking crutch.

Firstly, Jordan cuts a heel promo complaining about never getting a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. Jordan boasts about being the fastest rising homegrown star. Besides making Lola Vice (the champion) tap out, and also beating Kendal Grey last weeks, Jordan claims she in better than all of the women’s wrestlers called up to the main roster.

Jordan goes on to demand a championship match before claiming to be the most underrated women on the roster.

Out comes Izzi Dame wearing ridiculously fuzzy chaps. Dame marches to the ring in her fuzzy chap, and she cuts a promo on Jordan trying to cut in line.

NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice interrupt the confrontation to confront her two potential challengers. Vice bickers with Dame and Jordan until they are all interrupted by Kendal Grey.

Grey confronts them as Wren Sinclair sneaks in the ring from behind. Sinclairs blasts Jordan with a crutch, which ignites a melee. The heels powder as the babyfaces stand tall. While standing tall, Grey keeps eyeballing the women’s title belt as Vice raises in over her head.

Romeo Moreno vs. Tristan Angels

—

Angels wins his debut match against newcomer Moreno. They had a really good competitive match that goes through a commercial break.

Shiloh Hill watches this match from the crowd while making a spectacle of himself. Hill interacts with Moreno during the match, as they slap hands after Moreno does a big dive over the ropes to the floor.

For the finish, Angels does a curb stomp using a knee drop. Angels then covers Moreno for a three count. Angels and Hill exchange barbs after the match.

Mach result: Tristan Angels defeated Romeo Moreno via pinfall.

Angels gets a house microphone and address Shiloh Hill, who is still standing in the crowd with a sign that reads “MR. NXT”. Angles says Hill is where he belong, in the crowd with the regular people. In response, Hill cuts a promo and throws to an old photo of Angels in a goofy tuxedo. That is supposed to be burn of some sort. Hill polls the crowd on who should be Mr. NXT. Of course, they side with Hill. Angels wants Hill he will regret ruining Angel’s debut match.

NXT North American Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley vs. Lizzy Rain in a title match

—

Rain’s strong push continues, even if she drops a fall here to a reigning champion. Rain has a ton of charisma.

Zaria runs in after the match to lay out Rain before targeting Paxley. Zaria apparently has her sights on the North American title.

The title match tonight goes through a commercial break. Rain with a wrecking ball dropkick just before the show cuts to commercials, and she is rocking.

Very physical and competitive match between two babyfaces. The studio audience got into the match, as they worked really hard to have an exciting bout.

As they go home they are trading near falls and reversals. Paxley counters Rain to deliver Cemetery Drive. Paxley then covers Rain for a pinfall. And still…

Match result: NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley defeated Lizzy Rain via pinfall to retain her title.

Paxley and Rain embrace after the match in a show of respect. They are jumped by Zaria. She hits both with a double spear, and Zaria gives both an F-5. Zaria then grabs the title belt and poses with it as the segment ends.

—

Keanu Carver vs. Tate Wilder

—

Wilder gets some offense and the time to show off some of his aerial arsenal, but he drops another fall on television in his second match on NXT in two weeks. To make matters worse, he is busted open in this match with a potato from Carver. Wilder is bleeding from underneath his eye, but he fights on.

Wilder with a tornado DDT plants Carver on the floor. After following up with a frog splash, a still-bleeding Wilder opts for another high risk move instead of going for a pin. Wilder is tripped up and crotched while trying to climb the ropes. Carver then strikes with a Monty Brown Pounce, and Carver scores a clean pinfall.

Match result: Keanu Carver defeated Tate Wilder via pinfall.

— Myka Lockwood assures Vanity Project she has their back in the tag title match later tonight when they defend against Darkstate.

— Shiloh Hill and Charlie Dempsey set up a singles match next week. Hill reminded me of a modern day Bugsy McGraw with his outfit and top hat. He bickers with Birthright, which leads to them setting up a match for next Tuesday.

Mason Rook lays out Kam Hendrix

Sarah Schreiber interviews Kam Hendrix in the ring, which follows up on Hendrix and Rook winning in their debut match earlier tonight. A boastful Hendrix talks about setting his sights on the NXT Championship when he is interrupted by Rook.

Rook cuts a promo on Hendrix, who responds with a promo on Rook. Hendrix pats Rook’s gut, and Rook responds by laying out Hendrix with an Ax Bomber. Hednrix is then send smashing into the corner taking an exploder from Rook. This angle would seem to set up a grudge match between the two.

NXT Tag Team Champions The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes with Jackson Drake & Myka Lockwood) vs. Darkstate (Dion Lennox & Saquon Shugars with Cutler James & Osiris Griffin) in a title match

—

Darksate jumps Vanity Project during the champs’ entrance. The tag title bout goes through a commercial break, with the champs reeling as the show goes into the break. The champs turn the tide during the break. They are working over Shugars as the show returns from commercials.

The match continues. Shugars comes back to run wild after several high spots and tags. Shugars is on a roll, and Lennox soon joins in the fun. Darkstate gets a close near fall. Lennox and Shugars signal for a Doomsday Device. Smokes saves Baylor and the champs tag out, only for them both to eat clotheslines from Lennox.

Griffin and Cutler try to get in Drake’s face at ringside, but Lockwood steps in to berate Griffin and Cutler. Another close near fall for Darkstat after Shugars makes a blind tag. Lennox is unaware of the bling tag. Shugars is trying to explain himself to Lennox when Shugars is rolled up by Smokes for a three count. The champs retain, and the finish sets up more dissension in Darkstate.

Match result: NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes defeated Saquon Shugars & Dion Lennox when Smokes pinned Shugars to retain their title.

Three members of Darkstate turn on Shugars in a post-match angle. Griffin and James first attack Shugars, and Lennox then joins in to pummel him. Lennox signals for a triple powerbomb, which lead to Darkstate powerbombing Shugars on the announce booth. The desk implodes on impact, and Shugars is laid out as the show goes off the air with his former stablemates standing over him.

NXT star teases rivalry with Bayley after WWE attack

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Bayley demanded revenge against Zaria after the attack at a recent NXT event.

At an NXT live event this week, Zaria targeted Bayley in an ambush and proceeded to attack her with a steel chair. Bayley later reacted by calling out Shawn Michaels to take action. 

Zaria showed no remorse and tweeted that she had no problem doing it again.  

Bayley has been open to working with talents across brands. She also teased a crossover feud with Indi Hartwell on TNA, and against Tatum Paxley for the John Cena Classic. She is also focused on winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles with Lyra Valkyria. 

Meanwhile, Zaria has taken over a commanding presence on NXT after her feud with Sol Ruca in a Last Woman Standing match. Following her move to Raw, Zaria set her sights on the NXT Women’s North American Champion. 

The expansion of talents across brands enables a branding for this rivalry. Zaria has officially competed on the main roster as a tag team with Ruca last year but not as a singles competitor.

AJ Styles says ‘it’s important’ for talents like Naraku to start WWE run with NXT 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

AJ Styles addressed Naraku debuting on NXT over the main roster. Before signing with WWE, there it was reported that he was keen to start with NXT to acquaint himself with the workaround in the company. 

On the latest episode of The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles cited that Shinsuke Nakamura also competed on NXT. He had an extensive career on NJPW for nearly 14 years before his WWE transition, that too on their developmental brand. 

“Shinsuke Nakamura was also in NXT. I’m just throwing that out there. Listen, I think there’s certain things that we all need to learn in NXT, that will prepare us for the main roster. Even I had to learn quick ‘Holy crap, this they don’t do this, they do this, this. It was a learning process and I had to learn quick because I was on there. I couldn’t afford to screw up or mess up or whatever it is you want to call it. I wanted to stay on the main roster and I had to impress the guy in charge.”

“So, we don’t want anybody to go up to the main roster and have to learn like that. I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s better to go (to NXT). It’s just a smooth transition.”

Styles emphasized the imperativeness of talents familiarizing themselves with WWE’s structure of camera angles and production which is not a common concept in Japan. 

“Because you don’t do that in Japan. There’s no producers in Japan. Because it doesn’t matter where the cameras are, they just shoot. They don’t know. At least when I was there, they didn’t know that it was entertainment. It was a sport. So the camera guys were not involved in the booking meetings, whatever, the meetings in general. We need to know where all this stuff is. It’s important. At least I had TNA. Before I had New Japan, I was in TNA. I knew where the cameras were, and I knew to play to the cameras. But still, there’s certain things that we want to have in place before you go to the main roster.”

On the April 28 edition of NXT, Naraku made his debut on the promotion and confronted Tony D’Angelo. His identity was referenced as a ‘former IWGP champion’. Shortly after his WWE ring name was confirmed.  

Last weekend, Naraku and IYO SKY announced their wedding on social media. 

Bayley comments on wrestling first NXT house show in 10 years

Posted on by Ian Carey

Bayley wrestled her first NXT house show in 10 years on Friday night at Buffalo RiverWorks in Buffalo, New York.

She was one of three main roster stars, along with Penta and Grayson Waller, who took part in the NXT live event.

Bayley teamed with Kendal Grey and Tatum Paxley in a win over Kelani Jordan, Nikkita Lyons and Zaria.

After her match, she had the following to say to the live crowd in Buffalo:

“As much as I loved my time here, I don’t know if I can hang with this division right now because I want to say this is the best the NXT women’s division has ever been. So Shawn Michaels, Matt Bloom, whoever is listening to this, bring me back all the time, bring me back any time, I want to be here, I want to fight the best!”

Prior to the show, Bayley posted to social media about it having been 10 years between her NXT live event appearances.

“10 years since I’ve done #wwenxt live events. Feeling nostalgic,” she wrote.

Bayley was asked what the most exciting part of wrestling in NXT at this stage in her career was.

“The challenge. It’s not the NXT I once knew and these women are DIFFERENT,” she answered.

Asked how she feels to see younger talent being influenced by her career, Bayley wrote:

“It makes me believe in putting everything you have into what you feel in your heart.”

She was asked about her favorite opponents from previous NXT house shows:

“Mercedes, Asuka, EVA MARIE,” Bayley answered.

Regarding her thoughts on Grey, her teammate for the evening, Bayley wrote, “Annoying how talented she is.”

Bayley, Penta, and Waller will also take part in NXT’s live events on Saturday, May 16 in Canton, Ohio and Sunday, May 17 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Full results from Friday night’s show in Buffalo are available below.

NXT live event results from Buffalo, New York on May 15, 2026:

  • OTM defeated BirthRight
  • Tristan Angels defeated Shiloh Hill
  • Niko Vance defeated Tate Wilder
  • Myles Borne defeated Grayson Waller to retain the WWE NXT North American title
  • Bayley, Kendal Grey & Tatum Paxley defeated Kelani Jordan, Nikkita Lyons & Zaria
  • Hank And Tank, Jaida Parker & Penta defeated The Vanity Project & Myka Lockwood
  • Lola Vice defeated Kali Armstrong to retain the WWE NXT Women’s title
  • Tony D’Angelo defeated Naraku to retain the WWE NXT title

Bayley, Penta, Grayson Waller appear at NXT live event in Buffalo

Clips from Bayley, Penta, and Grayson Waller’s appearances on the show are available below.

WWE NXT does record-low ratings on The CW

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 498,000 viewers on The CW, down 22.3 percent from last week. This marks the lowest audience total the show has ever done on The CW and is the lowest overall number for NXT since July 30, 2024, when it was moved from the USA Network (the show’s home at the time) to SyFy.

In the 18-49 demo, NXT drew a 0.06 rating. That’s down 45.5 percent from last week and is the lowest rating the show has ever done in that category regardless of network.

The episode went head-to-head with an NBA playoff game on NBC as well as an NHL playoff game on ESPN which topped the network and cable charts respectively. Among the major English-language broadcast networks, NXT finished last in both overall viewers and 18-49.

As compared to the same week in 2025, NXT’s overall viewership was down 25 percent while the 18-49 rating was down 60 percent.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 14.8 percent in viewers and 33.3 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

WWE NXT ratings —

DateNXT 18-49NXT total viewers
3/3/20260.09604,000
3/10/20260.08541,000
3/17/20260.07588,000
3/24/20260.08581,000
3/31/20260.08572,000
4/7/20260.08605,000
4/14/20260.09584,000
4/21/20260.1591,000
4/28/20260.07541,000
5/5/20260.11641,000
5/12/20260.06498,000
*10 wk avg0.09584,800
*not including current week

Blake Monroe interested in John Cena Classic, names potential WWE opponents 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE’s Blake Monroe is keen on competing in The John Cena Classic and already has a few opponents in mind for the special event. 

In an interview with Marca, Monroe cited it was imperative for her to participate and demonstrate her wrestling skills in The John Cena Classic. Especially after her NXT feuds and ‘unfinished business’ with Tatum Paxley, naming her as a potential opponent. 

“Of course I want to be a part of it. It looks like it’s going to be a huge tournament, and obviously you need to headline it with a huge name like the glamorous Blake Monroe. As for who I’d like to face
 I just escaped the women of NXT; they were tormenting me. But we have so much talent. I’d love to face Tatum again because we have unfinished business after he put me in a casket. There’s also Kendall Grey and a lot of new European additions. I’d love to be a part of it. And if I’m not, I’ll still enjoy watching because it’ll be interesting to see how all these people from different backgrounds clash.” 

Monroe was further asked about Asuka’s teased retirement and praised her impact on women’s wrestling. She recalled watching Asuka win the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble in 2018, and was inspired by her wrestling career. 

“For me, Asuka is one of the best wrestlers in the world. I remember watching her after she won the Royal Rumble against Charlotte Flair and thinking, ‘Wow, she’s something special.’ I feel like she came to WWE and raised the bar for the NXT women’s division and the main roster as well. I don’t know what her decision is or where her heart is right now, but I would love to wrestle her someday. So I’m kind of devastated if this really is the end, though I also have enormous respect for her career. It’s incredible.” 

Monroe signed with WWE in 2025 officially joining the NXT roster. Last month, her transition to SmackDown was confirmed however she is yet to make an appearance.

Current longest-reigning World Champion wants ‘one more match’ with Asuka outside of WWE 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Athena has nothing but praise for Asuka and holds her in high regard for the influence on her wrestling career. She expressed hope that they will share the ring one final time. 

In an interview with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Athena relived her wrestling rivalry with Asuka. She recalled their first meeting at Shimmer Women’s Wrestling and then clashed in the NXT ring for the Women’s Championship. 

“Oh, man. Like Asuka is one of those people, that’s a forever rival for me. Like when we were back on the indies, we actually ended up wrestling at Shimmer Women’s Wrestling. That’s where we met. We had one of the hardest hitting matches I think I’ve had in my career then, and then fast forward to WWE NXT for the NXT Women’s Championship. Asuka is my yin to my yang. I really hope she’s not stepping away. I’ve actually been trying to get a hold of her because I lost a whole bunch of people’s numbers when I switched my phone and everything.”

She referenced Asuka as a living legend that audiences still remain unaware of her capabilities and wrestling impact. 

“But man, talk about someone who’s just the epitome of what legendary status is or what a living legend is. I, to some extent, don’t feel like people really understand how much she’s done for wrestling as a whole. Like from grinding on the indies to being like an independent contractor in Japan to getting signed to WWE. Not only that, like just excelling in WWE in every form and facet from match to match, but never changing who she was as a person, a character. I couldn’t be more proud, more happy for her. I hate her in that same breath, of course.”

Athena expressed interest in a final match with Asuka to conclude their rivalry out of respect for her legendary career. She emphasized how important competing against Asuka was in shaping her as a performer and wrestler. 

“I also feel like I have to have one more match eventually and hope that this isn’t it. This isn’t the long goodbye, if you will. But like, Asuka’s one of those people that I wouldn’t be who I am as a performer, as an athlete, if she wasn’t in my life. If she wasn’t on the opposite side of the ring. I don’t think I would have gotten anything really if I didn’t have that experience with her.”

Asuka teased retirement after her WWE Backlash match against IYO SKY after a 22-year wrestling career. On the following edition of Raw, she bid farewell to SKY in a passing of the torch moment. 

On the other hand, after Athena’s WWE release in 2021 she returned to the independent circuit before debuting on AEW. In December 2022 she captured the Women’s ROH Championship and continues to hold the title with her reign surpassing the 1250 day mark. 

Joe Hendry claims ‘NXT was one of the most difficult challenges’ in his career

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Joe Hendry discussed challenges he faced on NXT and gearing up for his transition to WWE.

On the latest episode of the Insight Podcast, Hendry talked about his transition from TNA to NXT and the challenges he faced in his development as a wrestler. He praised having the opportunity to work under Terry Taylor, Shawn Michaels and Triple H’s guidance.

“I mean, so NXT was one of the most difficult challenges I’ve had in my career and one of the best phases that I’ve had in terms of my growth and development as a wrestler. And I’m lucky that I’ve had the chance to work with. And like you say, Shawn Michaels, Terry Taylor, Triple H, because each of them have different approaches to wrestling. You can learn things from that like Shawn has this, he has this constant pursuit of excellence and this standard that obviously, in ring Shawn is like as good as it gets. He wants to hold you to that standard.”

Hendry appreciated Triple H’s efforts on the main roster’s success, and ability to perceive things from audiences’ perspective. 

“And then to go to the main roster and learn from Triple H there’s genius in all three that I’ve mentioned and there’s many geniuses in WWE and in wrestling. But those three to me are definitely geniuses in wrestling.”

“The great thing about working with Triple H is what he’s really good at is he can see the entire picture, the entire show of Raw within WWE and entertainment as a whole. And what I might just be thinking about, I’m just making this song and I’m going to put this joke here and this joke here. He’s able to not just see it through my eyes, but see it through the audience’s eyes and go, sure, totally get that.”

He stated interest in targeting the Intercontinental Championship as a response to fan’s query on which WWE Title he would like to pursue on the main roster

“I’m very grateful and I’m just blown away by the amount of knowledge I’ve been able to gain in such a short space of time. I feel like now I’m in a phase where I feel like if I just commit to entertaining the audience as best as I can and doing the absolute best job I can, all those things that I want will come to me. That said, Intercontinental Championship, please.” 

Hendry became popularized on TNA before the promotion’s crossover feuds with NXT. He signed with WWE in 2025 and was officially moved to Raw in April this year. 

Gunther credits Triple H for changing WWE’s European talent strategy 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Gunther enjoys being a heel and the chaos that erupts with it. He also recognizes the impact his move from the European wrestling circuit to WWE has had on his own career and the future opportunities it could create for talent from the continent. 

In an interview with Enry Lazza, Gunther talked about the fan backlash after defeating John Cena in his retirement match. He stated it was a struggle for his WWE colleagues to deal with the negative reactions from crowds, but he personally thrives on it.

“It is and I feel like it’s a struggle that a lot of my colleagues sometimes have, where they struggle to get negative reactions, because it cannot feel nice, but I enjoy it, I have to say. I like to be the one that creates chaos and stirs the pot and that worked out really well with John (Cena).”

Gunther also elaborated on WWE scouting and discovering talents from across Europe. He emphasised on his transition to mainstream wrestling audiences through WWE, noting how his success at the global stage  creates more visibility for future European wrestlers. 

“Yeah, it was definitely the case that it was hard and because WWE wasn’t quite that open yet. That really just changed with Triple H when he took over NXT where they changed the strategy and basically looked at everybody out there. And I feel like Europe was under the radar for a very long time because especially Italy, I remember that when I started like 2008 or something had years, after that, had a really good wrestling scene.” 

“I remember there was a guy called Kyle that I used to wrestle here and there and if you’re looking up you find him. They had great crowds in Italy like thousands of people and then he changed up a little bit again but that would be something where back then you didn’t have the reach yet to get the eyes of WWE on the talent over here. And then I was there at the right time when the European indies really came up again and then WWE looked at it and actually said hey there’s a lot of talent we can look at and I wasn’t the first out of that scene or bubble that made the jump but I think I was most likely the guy made the biggest impact I never made a jump from that scene and that leads to kicking the door open for other guys.”

Gunther competed in Japan and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany before WWE NXT UK. He later enjoyed a dominant reign as NXT UK Champion before the branch was eventually merged with NXT. 

Gunther’s main roster debut in 2022 was marked by his longest reign as Intercontinental Champion, a reign which spanned across 666 days. 

Since last year, he further built his reputation as ‘the career killer’ after he went on a spree of retiring wrestling veterans like Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles.