Tag: NXT

Daily Update: Marc Izard, Roman Reigns, Roxanne Perez

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • What did people think of WrestleMania, the strengths and weaknesses of both shows
  • Brock Lesnar
  • Reigns vs. Punk
  • The machinations behind the scenes and in front of the camera of Rhodes vs. Orton
  • Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and who has the final say and when it’s used
  • Injuries
  • Pat McAfee and Jelly roll
  • The overdoing commercials
  • All the business notes for the week
  • TV ratings
  • Netflix ratings
  • Full coverage of both shows
  • Coverage of other major shows over Mania week
  • The Ali Act, Nick Khan, Oscar de la Hoya and the arguments before the senate
  • Court filings on what percentage of revenue goes to talent in WWE
  • Why the idea of a second major MMA group is very difficult even if Ronda Rousey’s fight does big numbers
  • Mark Shapiro’s deposition contradicts claims on Vince McMahon regarding the UFC and WWE merger
  • Life and times of Van Hammer
  • Weekly wrestling odds looked at
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings for pro wrestling shows this past week with demos, segment notes and comparisons with a year ago
  • CMLL tournament of champions final
  • How much business is up in CMLL
  • CMLL vs. MLW show next week
  • Stardom has its biggest show of the year this week
  • Major promotion parent company taking out sizeable loans
  • Kenta Kobashi shares the ring with Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling TV
  • Who had the most top matches so far this year
  • Alberto is wrestling again but not in the promotion that was to be built around him as they’ve washed their hands of him
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Double or Nothing notes
  • UFC signs new overseas deal
  • Mark Hunt arrested for domestic violence
  • WWE headed to Saudi Arabia
  • Security issues at MGM Grand for Mania week
  • How much the top TKO executives earned
  • How much Peacock has lost
  • Ric Flair speaks
  • New NXT star whose uncle was part of one of the most famous heavy metal bands

This Week’s Back Issue

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Tuesday Update

Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez (Image credit: WWE)

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Progress Wrestling and RevPro offered condolences to the family of Marc Izard, a wrestling fan who passed away in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
  • Izard’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover costs getting him back home to the UK as well as funeral expenses.
  • Outsports covered Kidd Bandit’s final match, which took place at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch during WrestleMania weekend.
  • GCW is returning to Indianapolis on June 20.
  • Fancy Ryan Clancy shared an injury update: “Day 6 Post Surgery. PT Day 1 completed. The Fancy Man is ahead of schedule. Grueling pain, but all worth it for the vision of getting back in the ring.”
  • Mr. Elegance is in action on this week’s TNA Xplosion.
  • Alex Abrahantes on his WrestleMania weekend: “Had a blast making my return to the indies at @GCWrestling_ last week during Mania Week! It reminded me that the hunt never ends. I’ve decided I need to continue the quest to find the pro wrestlers and luchadores with the most amount of HYPE. That being said, I’ll be accepting select indie bookings… while I still can. Let’s work. [email protected]”

WWE, The CW announce domestic deal for NXT premium live events

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE NXT’s premium live events will now air exclusively on The CW in the United States as part of a new multi-year deal.

The news was announced by WWE on Tuesday, beginning with the Great American Bash later this summer. The date of that event was not announced, but has aired in July in the past.

The partnership calls for 20 PLEs including Stand and Deliver, Deadline, and Vengeance Day. The amount of years is unknown with the possibility that the new deal aligns with their five-year broadcast deal that began in October 2024. Financials were not disclosed.

While the events will air live from coast to coast in the U.S., it’s unknown if they will air at night or during the afternoon as is the case with other sports The CW airs like college football.

The events will continue to be available on Netflix outside the U.S.

“WWE NXT has energized our Tuesday nights by consistently delivering a loyal and passionate fanbase to The CW every week. Adding WWE NXT Premium Live Events to our schedule is a natural fit, providing one broadcast destination for audiences to watch all their favorite Superstars, storylines and championship matches,” said Brad Schwartz, President, The CW Network.

Released WWE star announces retirement from wrestling

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Luca Crusifino (real name Roman Macek) announced his retirement from pro wrestling after being released by WWE.

The former NXT star took to X, expressing gratitude to the fans who supported him in his wrestling career, and the coaches who mentored him to put his best foot forward. He confirmed his official retirement from pro wrestling is not an easy decision but is the right call.

“After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this chapter of my life. Being a part of the WWE has been a dream ever since I was a child. Getting the chance to live out my dream in front of the world is something I’ll never take for granted. To the fans … thank you for every cheer, every boo, every moment of support. You made this journey unforgettable.”

“I am forever grateful for the friendships that I made along the way. From talent, to coaches, to the creative team, to every single person I came in contact with at the performance center … thank you! Thank you for pushing me, believing in me, and sharing the ring with me. I’ve learned more than I can ever put into words and met some of the greatest people that will be friends for life.”

“As of today, I’m officially stepping away and retiring from professional wrestling. It’s not an easy decision, but it’s the right one for me.”

“This isn’t goodbye, just the end of one incredible chapter. Again, I can not say this enough … Thank you! What an amazing last 4 years and don’t worry about me … I’ll figure it out  And, no, i’m not joining onlyfans. With love, Roman Macek (Luca Crusifino)”

Crusifino was one of the nearly 20 stars WWE released on Friday. The names included main roster, NXT and LFG talent.

Crusifino signed with WWE in 2022 and made his official NXT debut in 2023. He was a member of The D’Angelo Family led by Tony D’Angelo until July 2025. His last WWE match was on the March 20 edition of Evolve, teaming up with Tate Wilder against Harley Riggins and Kam Hendrix.

Carlee Bright among WWE NXT releases

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Carlee Bright was among those released on Friday.

The now former NXT talent took to social media Sunday to make the announcement, saying that while she’ll be a part of WWE LFG season 3, her time with the WWE has come to an end.

“This wasn’t how I imagined this chapter ending, but if there’s one thing this journey taught me, it’s how to fight through uncertainty and the moments that test who you really are,” she wrote. “I don’t know if there’ll ever be enough words to express the gratitude and love I have for this chapter. From all the hours filming, hair spray & makeup, long drives, and intense training days, I really did feel like my very own Hannah Montana — living the best of both worlds. I cherish the laughs, the memories, and the people who made this experience better than I could have ever imagined. You’ve changed my life, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”

“If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s this: mom & dad didn’t raise a quitter,” she concluded. This chapter may be closing, but my story is far from finished.”

WWE released a large number of talent on Friday, though Bright’s name did not come up in initial reporting. Bryan Alvarez notes that there could be more names unreported.

“Carlee Bright released, and there may be more as we were under the impression more NXT names were on the chopping block,” he writes.

Bright, real name Kennedy Cummins, signed with WWE in 2022. Two years later, she briefly appeared on NXT television along with Kendal Grey, but soon after started to appear on Evolve, where she had been wrestling regularly prior to her release.

Update on backstage reaction to WWE LFG season winner’s release | Exclusive

Posted on by Ian Carey

People in NXT are questioning the purpose of WWE LFG following Friday’s roster cuts.

Season 1 winner of the show and Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele was part of WWE roster cuts revealed on Friday. Our own Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X Sunday that there are people in NXT questioning what the purpose of WWE LFG is if the winner is just going to be cut.

Alvarez wrote:

“A lot of people in NXT questioning what the point of LFG is if they’re just going to cut the winner.”

Steele had been wrestling on episodes of EVOLVE prior to being part of Friday’s roster cuts. She challenged Kendal Grey for the WWE EVOLVE Women’s Championship in a match taped on February 20 that aired March 11.

Her last WWE match came at the March 20 EVOLVE taping at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where she competed in a gauntlet match for an EVOLVE Women’s title shot won by Wendy Choo.

Kendal Grey describes backstage reaction to Sol Ruca table spot on NXT

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kendal Grey described the backstage reaction to the table spot that closed Tuesday’s NXT during a recent interview.

In the closing moments of Tuesday’s show, Zaria pushed Sol Ruca off the perch and through one of two stacked tables below.

Speaking recently on the Mark Hoke Show, Grey said everyone watching backstage was immediately concerned for Ruca after the spot, but were relieved when she returned backstage in positive spirits.

Grey said:

“Honestly, back there, we were all watching. We were speechless. Like, we were just mouth wide open, speechless. We didn’t know how to react in that moment.

And then when she came back, I mean, she’s awesome. She’s amazing at what she does. She comes back,she has a towel on her head and she’s like, ‘Heck yeah.’ She’s smiling, she’s awesome.

But definitely a scary moment for all of us and just like concern for her and obviously that could be really bad and it was bad, but it could always be worse. So, knowing that she came back with a positive mind and smiling and stuff was a good reassuring moment because all of us definitely were scared.”

Ruca posted a photo following the show that appeared to show staples having been placed in her head. Dave Meltzer spoke about the spot in Friday’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, writing:

“Sol Ruca needed eight staples to the back of her head to close the cut form the 4/21 NXT match with Zaria when her hit head the floor and missed the table that was supposed to break the fall when falling off the perch in the balcony.”

Grey’s full interview with The Mark Hoke Show is available below. The video is cued to her comments about Ruca’s table spot on NXT.

NXT wrestler returns from injury at Florida house show

Posted on by Ian Carey

Noam Dar has returned from injury.

Dar had been out of action since it was announced on June 21, 2025, that he was vacating the NXT Heritage Cup due to injury. The nature of the injury was never publicly revealed.

Dar returned to action at Friday night’s NXT live event in Dade City, Florida, where he opened the show by defeating Jackson Drake in singles competition. Full results from the show are below.

Results via Cagematch.net

WWE NXT live event results from Dade City, Florida, on Friday, April 24:

  • Noam Dar defeated Jackson Drake
  • Lizzy Rain defeated Layla Diggs (w/Nikkita Lyons)
  • BirthRight (Channing Lorenzo, Lexis King & Uriah Connors) (w/Arianna Grace & Charlie Dempsey) defeated Drake Morreaux, Shiloh Hill & Tavion Heights
  • Niko Vance defeated Kai Kavari
  • NXT North American Champion Myles Borne defeated Charlie Dempsey (w/Lexis King)
  • Brooks Jensen defeated Elijah Holyfield
  • Kali Armstrong defeated Skylar Raye
  • Keanu Carver defeated Romeo Moreno
  • NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice defeated Izzi Dame (w/Niko Vance)

Jordynne Grace says she got in trouble for move used in Giulia NXT match

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Jordynne Grace got in trouble in WWE for using a banned move in her match against Giulia on NXT last year. 

Speaking with Adrian Hernandez, Grace revisited her No.1 contender match with Giulia for the NXT Championship in May 2025. She disclosed that while the bout received an overwhelming response from fans, WWE on the other hand was not too pleased. It was because she used the Michinoku Driver, a banned in-ring move restricted due to high-risk neck or spine injuries. However, the modified version is applied in WWE. 

“I’ll give you a little behind-the-scenes information, we got in trouble for that match. They just said it was too much. I do the Michinoku Driver — at the time, I did not know that they don’t do the Michinoku Driver from Japan here. They do the one where you sit the person out all the way. I didn’t know that was a thing until after this match.”

Grace proceeded to praise Giulia and looks forward to rehashing their feud someday on the main roster.

“It was not taken very well but I loved the match. I love wrestling Giulia, she’s awesome. I cannot wait to wrestle her again. Those matches are really the best moments for me because that’s when the wrestlers really get to feel something, right? They feel like it’s real. It is real but it’s like real in that moment.”

Grace was one the few NXT talents who shifted to the main roster in January this year where she is associated with the SmackDown brand.

Barely ten days after their high-stakes NXT match, Giulia was announced as the newest member of the SmackDown roster in 2025. She is in her second reign as United States Champion.

On the April 17 edition of the program, Tiffany Stratton defeated Grace in a No. 1 contender match for the championship. 

WWE files trademark for potential new wrestler name

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE filed for a new trademark this week, potentially pointing to a new ring name for one of the talents.

The filing was made for ‘Mason Rook’ signalling a potential WWE wrestler’s new ring name. So far, there is no indication on who it could be for.  

The application is listed for ‘entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer’. 

  • Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment

Over the past month, WWE has filed for multiple trademarks for NXT and upcoming WWE talents and the special two week edition of Revenge. 

WWE is in the process of transitioning NXT talents to the main roster. While Sol Ruca, Ethan Page and Joe Hendry are now official members of the Raw roster, Jacy Jayne is reported to join SmackDown. The week after WrestleMania is often crucial for stars switching brands, notably for NXT names moving to the main roster.

Ricky Saints’ main roster call-up may reportedly be delayed

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Ricky Saints might not be moved to the WWE main roster anytime soon. 

According to BodySlam, WWE has discussed for Saints to move up to the main roster however the CW Network is keen on fixing a major concern – to have an established name on the brand amid the other call ups like Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Oba Femi, Ethan Page and Joe Hendry already moving on. 

Saints attacked Shiloh Hill backstage on the latest edition of NXT, setting up a match between the two for next week. And raising questions about WWE’s plans for him. 

Saints made his NXT debut in February 2025 after a five year stint with AEW. In April, he won the North American Title and nearly five months later captured the NXT Championship from Oba Femi. 

January saw a wave of NXT talents officially moving to Raw and SmackDown, and they even made their WrestleMania debuts last weekend after engaging the audiences.

On the Raw after Mania, Sol Ruca and Page made their brand debuts and stepped in the ring for their first matches. Hendry did not make an appearance but during the show it was announced that he will host his concert on Raw next week and was an official member of the brand’s roster. Additional reports cited that more NXT names are expected to join the main roster soon.

The upcoming edition of SmackDown is also reported to feature NXT call-ups and roster shakeups. Jacy Jayne and Rey Mysterio in particular were potential names discussed to switch brands.

B&V: AEW Dynamite and NXT TV with backstage notes!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about including a largely excellent edition of Dynamite with the exception of the Will Ospreay’s Decapitated Head storyline, and an NXT that was just sorta there with the exception of the phenomenon that is Jackson Drake. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Sol Ruca needed eight staples after NXT table spot 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Sol Ruca had to get eight staples on her head in the aftermath of her Last Woman Standing match with Zaria on week two of NXT Revenge. 

Ruca shared a series of images on Instagram with snippets of her match with Zaria, behind the scenes photos, family pictures and one showing the staples she had to get after the bout. 

Ruca kicked off this week with her WWE Raw debut. While Liv Morgan celebrated her WrestleMania 42 victory with The Judgment Day, Ruca walked out and the encounter led to an impromptu, non-title match. Zaria attacked Ruca, costing her the match.

The next night on NXT, Ruca was set to face Zaria. Their fight spilled outside the ring. Towards the end, Zaria hugged Ruca teasing a truce between the two especially that it was her last match on the brand. That turned out to be a farce, and Zaria shoved Ruca from the ledge onto two tables below. On the landing, Ruca crashed through a table but appeared to bump her head on the edge of the other. The spot sparked widespread concern. 

Following the match, Ruca bid farewell to NXT amid an outpouring of love and support from her colleagues as she prepares for the main roster. 

More WWE NXT call-ups expected

Posted on by Ian Carey

More NXT call-ups are expected for WWE’s main roster.

On Thursday, our own Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X: “More call-ups expected.”

Several reports in recent days have stated that multiple wrestlers have been discussed for main roster call-ups. Earlier on Thursday, Fightful reported that there have been discussions about adding Jacy Jayne to the WWE SmackDown roster. BodySlam+ also reported that there have been talks about Ricky Saints being called up, although it is not clear if that will happen.

Joe Hendry has been announced for the WWE Raw roster and is advertised for a segment on next week’s edition of the show. Ethan Page is also now a full-time member of Raw.

Sol Ruca is believed to be heading to the main roster following the blowoff to her story with Zaria on Tuesday’s edition of NXT. Blake Monroe is another name believed to be under consideration following her loss to Tatum Paxley on Tuesday.

Sol Ruca thanks WWE NXT: ‘It’s been real’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Hours after her brutal match against Zaria on the April 21, 2026, edition of WWE NXT, Sol Ruca expressed her gratitude to the brand.

Former NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca recently confirmed her jump to the main roster with her latest social media upload. She shared a couple of pictures on Instagram, showing her sitting in the NXT locker room. “Thank you NXT, it’s been real,” she captioned the images.

Her Instagram upload was soon filled with emotional messages from her NXT colleagues, who expressed how much they would miss Ruca. Several top names, such as Lola Vice, Adrian Rizzo, Izzi Dame, and others, commented on her post.

Ruca recently performed on the April 20 edition of RAW after WrestleMania 42, where she faced off against Liv Morgan. Her kayfabe nemesis, Zaria, interfered and cost her the match. The two later clashed on NXT’s Revenge special episode on April 21, where Zaria won. The match concluded with Ruca suffering a nasty fall.

The 26-year-old is a former NXT Women’s North American Champion as well as a former WWE Women’s Speed Champion. Ruca is now a part of the recent NXT to main roster jumps that include Joe Hendry and Ethan Page.

WOL: NXT TV, WWE WrestleMania hotel security issues, more~!

Posted on by Tom Lawlor

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor is back with TONS to talk about including some house cleaning from WrestleMania weekend, a review of Tuesday’s WWE NXT TV that was filled with carcasses being sent on their way to the main roster, bizarre quotes and tons more.

A fun show as always so check it out~!

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