Tag: NXT

Finn Balor admits WWE promos still make him nervous, recalls Paul Heyman’s advice 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Finn Balor is not fond of wrestling promos and he admitted that years of focusing on in-ring capabilities left him uncomfortable on the mic. 

Speaking with Stephanie McMahon on What’s Your Story? Podcast which was taped before WrestleMania 42, Balor discussed his demeanor to not talk much. He reflected on honing his mic skills in WWE given his extensive background focused on wrestling. 

“That’s another thing that’s been really difficult for me in my career is that trash talking and I’m not willing to sacrifice my dignity to say these things that I don’t mean right, because, and again, I know it would be better. I feel like I got to this position being myself, so I shouldn’t change that ever. And I kind of, I started in England where it was mostly based on mat wrestling. And then I went to Japan and it was based on strong style wrestling. It was not promos.”

“The first time I actually had to do a promo was when I came to NXT. And I remember being so nervous because the NXT tape and I had to come out and say ‘I’m Finn Balor and I’m the future.’ And I remember being so nervous having to remember that line because that becomes acting when I’m wrestling, I’m not acting right.I’m in flow. I’m just going with my emotions, following what I believe is right in my heart to do. But as soon as the speaking part started, that was a real learning curve.”

Balor expressed his improvement on promos during his nearly 12 year WWE run. He credited Paul Heyman’s advice on bettering his mic skills. 

“And one thing I’ve kind of only started to learn recently, and I’ll credit Paul Heyman with this, because he said you got to treat your promos like your matches, like you’re not nervous going into your match. You don’t know every move you’re going to do. You’re just flowing and you’re there and you’re in that state. But your promos, you’re trying to memorize every word.That’s not how you execute your matches.That’s not how you should execute your promos. So recently I’ve kind of been taking that more on board.”

Balor had built up a wrestling career prominently at NJPW before signing with WWE to compete on their NXT brand in 2014. A couple of years later he was moved to the main roster where he became the inaugural Universal Champion. However, he was forced to relinquish the title barely a day later due to a shoulder injury.

Balor was associated with The Judgment Day from 2022 until February this year. The group double crossed him for not assisting the team with their collective goals.  He also competed twice for the World Heavyweight Championship earlier this year. 

WOR: Death of Barry Blaustein, Dynamite and NXT, Tenzan retirement

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of Barry Blaustein, AEW and Triller, Backlash ratings on ESPN 2 plus the usual ratings recap, Tenzan’s retirement, Best of the Super Juniors, AEW Dynamite and NXT reviews, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: ‘Beyond the Mat’ director Barry Blaustein passes away
18:06: AEW/Triller lawsuit update
24:43: Ratings
32:10: Arena Mexico notes, Hiroyoshi Tenzan retiring, Best of the Super Juniors starts
43:25: MMA notes on Ronda Rousey/Gina Carano fight, UFC Rivals
49:05: AEW Dynamite recap
1:11:22: WWE NXT recap

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WOL: NXT recap, Dynamite tonight, Swerve angle, Arizona

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including a full recap of NXT from Tuesday night, update on Chelsea Green, the Arizona/TKO situation and what we know, Dynamite line-up for tonight, the Swerve angle, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Two title matches, Mason Rook in-ring debut set for next WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for next week’s NXT.

Next week will see Tatum Paxley defend the North American title against Lizzie Rain, while Vanity Project will defend the Tag Team titles against DarkState. Mason Rook will make his in-ring debut as he teams with Kam Hendrix to take on Tony D’Angelo & Myles Borne and Keanu Carver will also be in action, taking on Tate Wilder.

Paxley teamed with Rain on Tuesday, picking up the victory in a tag team match where they defeated Nikkita Lyons and Zaria. Later backstage, Paxley told Rain that she would defend the title against her next week.

All four members of DarkState interrupted Vanity Project on Tuesday but it soon turned into another tease of dissension when it was announced that Dion Lennox and Shaquon Shugars would be teaming together, as they have shown to not be on the same page in recent weeks.

Rook signed his contract on Tuesday, officially joining the NXT roster. D’Angelo interrupted and was cutting a promo when Hendrix jumped him from behind. Rook capitalized on the chaos by going to the top rope and unleashing a huge moonsault, wiping out everyone involved. 

Wilder, who lost earlier in the night, asked for another opportunity from NXT General Manager Robert Stone. Carver walked into Stone’s office at that very moment, setting up the match.

WWE NXT (May 19)

  • Tony D’Angelo & Myles Borne vs. Mason Rook & Kam Hendrix
  • NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley defends against Lizzie Rain
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Vanity Project defend against DarkState
  • Keanu Carver vs. Tate Wilder

Lizzy Rain on NXT ambitions: ‘North American Championship is the next goal’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Lizzy Rain commented on targeting the NXT Women’s North American Title as her immediate goal after WWE debut.

Speaking with Soundsphere Magazine, Rain reflected on her WWE debut match against Nikkita Lyons, and the confrontation the following week. She expressed interest in challenging Tatum Paxley for the North American Championship. 

“You know what, it is the next goal, North American Championship is the next goal. Why not?, like, go big or go home? I’m loud, I’m unapologetic. I’m here to make an impact. So why not go for that belt? I’m so privileged to be in the ring with two people who I named on Busted Open (Radio), Tatum and Zaria. And to get that kind of a rematch, I know it was a tag team match but to be in the ring again with Nikkita, two people I said I wanted to face and someone I faced just two weeks ago, is very cool. It’s like the wrestling universe is really listening to me which is very surreal that I get to do that so early on in  my career getting to wrestle with the North American Champion as my tag partner, very surreal.”

Rain also hyped Tristan Angels and Mason Rook’s NXT debuts and performances. She competed on independent promotions across the UK before signing with WWE, most prominently on PROGRESS Wrestling and Hustle Wrestling. Rain was a participant of the SummerSlam tryouts last year and was officially announced as WWE’s recruit at the Performance Center in March.

Reported timeline for NXT Great American Bash 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE NXT has reportedly set a timeline for Great American Bash.

According to Bodyslam.Net NXT’s Great American Bash will take place in the last week of July at the Performance Center. 

Last month, WWE announced NXT’s partnership with the CW Network to exclusively broadcast the brand’s Premium Live Events. Great American Bash will be the first to kick off their alliance. 

There has been an influx of talents on NXT after a few names were called up to the main roster. In the week following WrestleMania, Sol Ruca, Ethan Page, Fatal Influence, Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe were moved to Raw and SmackDown. 

Meanwhile, NXT added Naraku, Mason Rook, Lizzy Rain, Tate Wilder, Tristen Angels and Kam Hendrix to the roster. 

WOL: History of Ted Turner and pro-wrestling, plus NXT and more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including the history of Ted Turner in professional wrestling from the early days of the Superstation through the death of WCW, your NXT TV report with all sorts of weird and wild happenings, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Potential timeline for Blake Monroe WWE SmackDown debut

Posted on by Ian Carey

An update is available on Blake Monroe.

Vignettes for Monroe have been airing on WWE SmackDown in recent weeks, but she has yet to appear live on the show.

According to a report from PWInsider on Wednesday, Monroe is expected to start appearing on SmackDown by the end of the month. However, the report noted that this is subject to change.

WWE airs Blake Monroe vignettes

The first vignette teasing Monroe’s main roster call-up aired on the April 24 edition of WWE SmackDown. The vignette continued Monroe’s “The Glamour” presentation from NXT. A second vignette for Monroe aired on the May 1 SmackDown.

Monroe hasn’t wrestled since the second week of NXT Revenge on April 21, when she lost a casket match to Tatum Paxley.

The 27-year-old made her WWE debut on the June 3, 2025 episode of NXT. She held the NXT Women’s North American title from Halloween Havoc until the December 16, 2025 episode.

Before joining WWE, Monroe spent from November 2023 to May 2025 with AEW, where she held the AEW Women’s World Championship. She also previously held the Goddesses of Stardom titles with Mina Shirakawa.

Update on WWE’s Nox Raijin name after EVIL revealed as Naraku

Posted on by Ian Carey

An update is available regarding WWE trademarking the name Nox Raijin.

In the days leading up to former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion EVIL debuting in NXT, reports surfaced that he would go by the name Nox Raijin, which WWE filed to trademark on April 28, the same day EVIL debuted on NXT and confronted Tony D’Angelo.

On the May 5, 2026 edition of NXT, it was revealed that EVIL will use the name Naraku.

In his report on Tuesday’s show, our own Bryan Alvarez wrote that EVIL not going by Nox Raijin was not a swerve, and that somebody else will use the Nox Raijin name, just not EVIL.

Alvarez wrote about EVIL being revealed as Naraku instead of Nox Raijin:

“This was weird because I and several others were told he was going to be NOX RAIJIN. Whatever happened, that name wasn’t a swerve, someone is going to be Nox, just not EVIL.”

Alvarez’s full report on Tuesday’s show is available here for subscribers.

Naraku did not appear live on the May 5 episode of NXT, but a vignette aired with him explaining to Tony D’Angelo that he wants a shot at his NXT Championship.

WWE confirms EVIL’s new NXT name

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Naraku is debuting next week.

On Tuesday’s NXT, the former EVIL narrated a promo talking about how he wrestled and won many titles in his home country of Japan. He said that NXT was entering a new era of opportunity and he wanted to be a part of it. He said Tony D’Angelo sat on top of NXT, having the title that he wants. He did not present D’Angelo with a gift but a proclamation: they would do battle one day.

At the end of the video it was revealed he would be going under the name Naraku moving forward, and would debut next week.

Another name had been linked to EVIL

The former EVIL’s new name is contrary to a report earlier in the day from Fightful that the former IWGP World Champion would be going under the name Nox Raijin, which WWE trademarked on April 28. Bryan Alvarez also reported earlier in the day that he would be going under that name.

The former EVIL made his debut on last week’s NXT, confronting Tony D’Angelo and handing him a shirt that had the symbol of ‘WAR’ on it. He exited the ring, which left D’Angelo distracted long enough for Tavion Heights to come in and lay him out. Will Kroos, who was unidentified, also came out and gave D’Angelo a top rope moonsault.

Andre Chase announces he has earned his Bachelor’s degree 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Andre Chase announced that he earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of Florida. 

He shared the update on Instagram while sharing photos from the graduation ceremony. 

“The best educators understand the learning never stops! Excited to share that I have officially earned my Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of Florida. Class of 2026! This degree has given me a strong foundation in the business side of sports and entertainment. Beyond the classroom, the connections I have made along the way have meant everything to me. The Gator alumni network is truly something special. Thank you to everyone who offered guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this journey, especially my friends and family, who made it possible. Go Gators!” 

Chase was among the WWE stars released in April. He signed with the company in 2021 and was active on NXT, most notably known for founding Chase University. 

Thea Hail, a former Chase U member, Ivar, Ethan Page and more from the wrestling community congratulated Chase on the accomplishment. 

Former WWE NXT interviewer now playing roller derby

Posted on by Ian Carey

Former backstage interviewer for NXT Kelly Kincaid, formerly Quinn McKay in ROH, is now playing roller derby in the Orlando area.

Kincaid had been with WWE since 2022. She made her debut on an episode of NXT Level Up in February of that year after previously working as Quinn McKay in ROH starting in 2019.

Kincaid announced earlier this year that her WWE contract expired on February 14 and that she was not given the option to renew.

On Saturday, Kincaid posted a statement to Instagram noting that she is finding her identity outside of wrestling again. She wrote that she has gone back to playing roller derby.

Kelly Kincaid’s statement:

“I didn’t have an identity outside of work for eight years. I’ve never had more fun in my life than when I was Quinn McKay at Ring of Honor. I poured my heart and soul into her, and I like to think it showed. But it was an all consuming love, and I spent every waking moment figuring out how to build that character.

WWE was another story. It’s a rewarding, but very demanding, job. Everything I thought I knew about my craft was dissected, analyzed, and turned around. It wasn’t better or worse than what was expected of me at ROH, it was just different. I loved all the moments I spent with you as Kelly Kincaid, even if it was incredibly different than what I would have chosen to give you.

So I guess this is a very delayed thank you for spending those eight years with me. I don’t know if I’ll ever return to wrestling. As we’re told over and over again at the performance center, “it comes for us all”. And I’ve spent the last three months figuring out what that means for me, and how I exist outside that bubble.

I had forgotten who I was while living inside different characters for so long. So I’ve gone back to my roots. I’ve started playing roller derby again. It’s given me my life back. I love my family. I love to riot. I love skating.

I can see just the barest glimpse of who I used to be. If you’re in the Orlando area, come check out a game sometime. It’s like wrestling, but you know… on roller skates. And after four very long years, I’m stepping back into my own spotlight.”

Kincaid is likely referring to Orlando Roller Derby, a flat track roller derby league based in the metro Orlando area. In a separate message, she said her skater name is Buffy Stunners and that she wears number 25. However, it’s not clear what team she skates for. Games are listed as taking place at the Barnett Park Gym at 4801 W. Colonial Dr.

Based on previous social media posts, Kincaid used to play for the Springfield Roller Girls in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri.