Tag: WWE NXT

WWE NXT broadcast team adds Canadian TV host, sports reporter

Posted on by Ian Carey

Emily Agard has announced she is the newest member of the WWE NXT broadcast team.

Agard is a host and reporter for Sportsnet, WWE’s former media partner in Canada. Sportsnet now airs TNA Impact on Thursdays. She previously worked as a WWE social media ambassador in Canada for the 2023 Elimination Chamber in Montreal.

Agard posted to social media on Thursday:

“Dreams do come true! SO excited and beyond grateful to be joining the @WWE broadcast team. If you know me, you know this has been a huge goal of mine and an absolute dream. I love wrestling. Cannot wait to dive right in. Let’s get to work! @WWENXT 🎤💪”

Agard’s website reads:

“Emily Agard is a television host on Sportsnet. She hosts Plays of the Month and Misplays of the Month. When she’s not busy in the studio, you can catch her at the ballpark covering Blue Jays baseball, or chatting all things WWE.”

Agard has a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She has also worked for TSN, CBC, TVO, and Live Nation Canada.

WWE NXT weekly TV & PLEs to be available on ESPN Unlimited

Posted on by Josh Nason

A day after it was announced that NXT premium live events found a permanent home on The CW, a new development in the sports media landscape will see those PLEs and NXT’s weekly TV show available on ESPN Unlimited for domestic subscribers.

Announced on Wednesday, ESPN and The CW have struck a deal that will see all of the current live sports that air on The CW available to Unlimited subscribers within the ESPN app. That includes WWE NXT, college football and basketball, auto racing, and more.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

It’s unclear if The CW will continue to make their live sports available through their own app as they had been doing. Programming will continue to be seen on their broadcast network in over 120 million homes.

The current five-year WWE/CW partnership began in October 2024 and now calls for 20 total PLEs including Stand and Deliver, Deadline, and Vengeance Day.

Backlash online to alleged use of AI during WWE NXT this week

Posted on by Jake Skudder

TKO president Mark Shapiro recently revealed that WWE has been using AI as part of the creative process, with Shapiro noting that “Nick Khan and Triple H are using AI for storylines with the WWE.” Whilst that has already caused issues for a number of fans worried about the introduction of storyline slop onto their television screens, we’re now seemingly starting to see even more AI being used for actual vignettes and video production.

There was some fairly clear signs of AI use in a El Grande Americano promo last year, but that could be somewhat chalked off as being part of the storyline, because the character’s backstory is fake and they were trying to make out like he was some sort of Lucha legend.

WWE NXT AI use

The latest example of WWE being accused of using AI took place on NXT this week, with a promo video for Sol Ruca and Zaria being arguably the most egregious use case yet. You can see the video via the X post below, and there are a number of fairly obvious tells when it comes to assuming this was an AI generated piece of content. The uncanny valley nature of the close-ups of both Sol Ruca and Zaria is the biggest one though, with the AI generation clearly trying to replicate their likeness but not quite getting it 100%. In fact with Sol she looks nothing like her real-life counterpart.

There will be a point in the future were we probably won’t be able to tell the difference between reality and an AI generated video, but right now WWE are getting a ton of backlash online from fans who feel like they’re already trying to “shove AI” in their faces.

EVIL makes WWE NXT debut, confronts Tony D’Angelo

Posted on by Bryan Rose

EVIL has arrived in NXT.

Tony D’Angelo was in the ring talking about how many people seemed to have an interest in the NXT title, but was fixated on the box that was given to him on last week’s show, which had the Japanese symbol for war. That was when the lights went out and a hooded figure approached the ring and handed D’Angelo what appeared to be a banner, which had the same symbol as last week. EVIL then removed his hood and the two had a brief staredown.

EVIL, who was not referred to by that name, was only identified as being a “former IWGP Champion.” 

As the former EVIL walked away, Tavion Heights attacked D’Angelo from behind, seemingly turning heel. He stated he was going to start taking what he wanted as he made his exit. But the segment still wasn’t over as another guy, who was heavyset and not identified, hit a top rope moonsault on D’Angelo, finally bringing the segment to an end.

EVIL had his final match with NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, losing the NEVER title to Aaron Wolf in what was the latter’s pro wrestling debut. Reports since then indicated that WWE, and specifically NXT, would be his next destination.

Report: More on Friday’s WWE & NXT releases

Posted on by Bryan Rose

More behind Friday’s WWE releases.

Fightful reported on Sunday that talent started to find out about the releases around 5 pm ET on Friday, with the word “departures” being used to describe the situation. Internal emails were sent out to some of WWE’s departments notifying them of the cuts. According to Fightful’s sources Triple H, Nick Khan, and WWE talent relations were the “primary decision makers” behind making the move.

Additionally, sources said that the majority of the releases were made in order to make way for new talent. Fightful also noted a recent Bodyslam+ report about SmackDown moving back to two hours in the near future.

Regarding Kairi Sane’s release, Fightful said that there was “a ton of shock” towards her departure. Sane had been regularly featured on television in the weeks leading to WrestleMania 42 where she was an active participant in a storyline revolving around herself, IYO SKY, and Asuka. It was asaid that there was “heavy frustration” to her being released before the payoff to that story was completed.

On the NXT releases, it was noted that new Performance Center signings are expected to be announced soon.

Among the names cut on Friday include Sane, all of the Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black & Zelina, and the Motor City Machine Guns on the main roster while Tyra Mae Steele, Luca Crusifino, and Dante Chen were among the NXT names. Carlee Bright, who was not listed on Friday, confirmed her departure on Sunday.

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.

WWE NXT ratings & 18-49 demo notes for second week of Revenge

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

This past Tuesday’s WWE NXT averaged 591,000 viewers on The CW, up 1.2% from the previous week.

It was the second week of their Revenge-themed episodes and brought in the second-highest audience for the show since March 3.

The episode averaged a 0.10 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 11.1% from last week and the highest rating the show has done in that category since February 10. It still finished last among English language network shows in both total viewers and 18-49 rating.

As compared to the same week in 2025, the overall viewership was down 13.9% while the 18-49 rating was down 41.2%. Several Nielsen ratings methodology have changed since then.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for WWE NXT on The CW as well as the 10-week average in both categories.

This week’s show was down 2.2% in overall viewers, but up 11.1% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.

Date18-49Total Viewers
2/10/20260.12637,000
2/17/20260.09744,000
2/24/20260.08589,000
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
10-wk avg
(doesn’t include current week)		0.09604,500

New member to join WWE NXT’s Vanity Project if Blake Monroe gets called up | Exclusive

Posted on by Josh Nason

With Blake Monroe’s potential call-up to the main roster a hot topic following her loss on Tuesday’s WWE NXT, our Bryan Alvarez has some news on who could join the Vanity Project if that happens.

Alvarez says that Myka Lockwood will join the faction if & when Monroe gets the call. Lockwood made her on-screen debut as a character during Tuesday’s show as a potential new love interest of Jackson Drake.

On the show, Shiloh Hill set up Drake on a date so he wouldn’t interfere in the Women’s North American title match (also a casket match) between Monroe and champion Tatum Paxley. However, the date stood him up.

Enter Lockwood who hit it off with Drake as she figured out that Hill had Drake fooled by an AI chatbot. The skit ended with Lockwood walking out of the bar with all three Vanity Project members.

Lockwood’s real name is Bayley Humphrey, a former Division 1 acrobatics & tumbling All-American from Baylor University. She was a member of the fourth class of the WWE NIL program in December 2023.

Alvarez added that her NXT finisher is “fricking awesome.”

Trish Stratus ‘blown away’ by WWE NXT star Sol Ruca

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is impressed by what she’s seen from NXT’s Sol Ruca.

During WrestleMania weekend, SiriusXM spoke with Stratus and asked which current star makes her want to return for one more match. Stratus named Ruca as an opponent she’d be interested in facing, though any return for Stratus would be storyline-dependent.

“When I went to John Cena’s final match, I got to see Sol Ruca up close and personal — and I was blown away,” Stratus said. “A lot of great talent. It’s not just the talent, it’s the storyline, it’s the characters, so I need to think on that one a little bit.”

Ruca, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans were the NXT talent that WWE chose to spotlight on the undercard of Cena’s final match last December. At the show, Ruca picked up a win against Bayley.

On the post-WrestleMania 42 edition of Raw this Monday, Ruca was in action ahead of a potential full-fledged call-up to the main roster. Ruca then faced Zaria in a Last Woman Standing match on NXT, which ended with Ruca taking a scary looking fall as her head smashed off a table that did not break.

Stratus competed for WWE three times in 2025 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her debut. She remains open to a return if WWE has the right idea that would be interesting to the fans and help elevate her opponent.

SiriusXM also asked Lita and Kaitlyn who they’d want to face if they returned for one more match, with Lita naming IYO SKY and Kaitlyn naming AJ Lee.

Tony D’Angelo receives box with Japanese symbol on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Whatever’s next for the NXT Champion may be in a box.

Prior to the main event of Tuesday’s NXT, Robert Stone told D’Angelo that he would have a better idea of who his next opponent would be on next week’s show. At the same time, D’Angelo was handed a box with a Japanese symbol. Keanu Carver appeared as D’Angelo asked him if he was the one that sent the box. Carver denied he did, saying if he wanted something he’d take it. 

Carver noted, however, that the symbol on the box was a symbol of war. He walked away, letting D’Angelo know that the sharks were circling around him.

There are several possibilities on what the box could mean. Both Hiromu Takahashi and EVIL left New Japan Pro Wrestling earlier this year. EVIL has since been expected to join WWE, with a recent report indicating he would like to start his run on NXT before heading to the main roster.

Another possibility is Ulka Sakazaki, who announced an excursion to the United States at the start of the year. In February he worked a dark match prior to WWE NXT and confirmed that his excursion would be in WWE.

WWE NXT notes: Joe Hendry, Sol Ruca, Myka Lockwood

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Here’s some notes from Tuesday’s NXT TV:

Both Joe Hendry and Sol Ruca appeared to make their final appearances on Tuesday’s show, losing both of their respective matches. Hendry was first up, losing to Keanu Carver after Carver mounted Hendry and repeatedly threw punches until the referee stopped the match.

Hendry is already advertised for a concert on next week’s Raw and it was said on Raw that he is now part of the roster.

In the main event, Zaria defeated Ruca to emerge victorious in their feud. A dramatic moment took place high on a perch near a set of two tables. Zaria suddenly had a change of heart, pleading with Ruca. The two grew emotional and hugged, seemingly working things out right then and there.

The two hugged, but Zaria revealed it was a ruse, shoving Ruca off the perch and sent her crashing through one of the tables, smacking her head on the other table that didn’t break.

While two wrestlers seemed on their way out, Myka Lockwood made her on-screen debut as a character as a potential new love interest of Jackson Drake. The storyline had Shiloh Hill setting up Drake on a date so they wouldn’t interfere in the Women’s North American title match, only to be disappointed that the date stood him up. Lockwood appeared and the two appeared to hit it off. Lockwood also deduced that Hill had Drake attempt to hook up with an AI chatbot. The skit ended with Lockwood walking out of the bar with all three Vanity Project members.

Lexis King wins WWE Speed title on NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Lexis King is the new Speed Champion.

King defeated EK Prosper to win the vacant title on Tuesday. The finish had Prosper taking out everyone at ringside, but walked into a King superkick. King then followed that up with the coronation to win his first title in WWE.

After his title win, King posted a picture of himself with the title next to a photo of his father Brian Pillman, doing the same pose after he won the WCW Light Heavyweight title years ago.

The men’s Speed title became vacant recently after the former champion, Elio LeFleur, tore his labrum during a house show match forcing him to take time off. A new tournament was held with Propser, who LeFleur encouraged to enter, and King ended up going to the finals.

King has seen a resurgence in NXT since starting the new Birthright stable, joining forces with the likes of of Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors, Stacks, and Arianna Grace. They recently competed in a tournament to crown new number one contenders for the Tag Team titles, but ultimately lost to Los Americanos.

North American title match, Lizzy Rain debut part of next WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A North American title match as well as a debut takes place on the next NXT.

Early in the show, Shiloh Hill told Tatum Paxley that he got a match against Ricky Saints for next week. But prior to the main event, Robert Stone found Saints attacking Hill, pinning the office couch on top of Hill. Stone asked for medical as Hill’s status for next week seemed to be questionable.

The North American title will be on the line when Myles Borne defends against Shaquon Shugars. After Lennox lost his title match inadvertantly due to Shugars’ interference, Shugars told Lennox backstage that he had talked to Stone and got a North American title match — not for Lennox, but for himself. Lennox questioned this but ultimately agreed it was the right move in order to have the title within Darkstate’s control.

Birthright will be in tag action, taking on EK Prosper and Dorian Van Dux. After King defeated Prosper to win the Speed title, Prosper told the new champikon that he only lost thanks to Birthright’s interference. Van Dux backed him up, setting a tag match for next week.

Lizzy Rain will also make her debut next Tuesday. A vignette aired showing Rain talking about her love of heavy metal music. The former Rayne Leverkusen has previously worked for the likes of Progress and Pro Wrestling EVE.

WWE NXT (April 28)

  • Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill
  • NXT North American title: Myles Borne defends against Shaquon Shugars
  • Birthright vs. EK Prosper & Dorian Van Dux
  • Lizzy Rain debuts