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Sami Zayn, Jim Ross and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Ryan DilbertJun 8, 2018

One man's career is skyrocketing upward and another man's ended.

Sami Zayn is getting the kind of crowd reaction that will have him shoot up to the main roster in no time at all, while Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross won't be working with NXT commentators any longer.

In NXT Diva news, one prospect is dreaming of the Divas title and another is set to return to WWE developmental. Add to that the story of WWE nearly turning a Mexican wrestling promotion into its own, and it's an interesting mix of NXT news this week.

From the red-hot Zayn to Ross' sun setting for the last time, here is the latest in NXT happenings.

Sami Zayn

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Buzz surrounds Sami Zayn, the man formerly known as El Generico.

He's been delivering great matches during his time at NXT, dazzling with his world-class athleticism, and apparently crowds are eating it up. Zack Zimmerman of ProWrestling.net claims that "Zayn seems to have caught on like wildfire; comparable to Daniel Bryan on the main roster."

That seemed to be the case when Zayn appeared at some WWE house shows.

According to F4WOnline.com, via WrestlingInc.com, “There were loud chants for Zayn and the arena was chanting 'ole!'" when the NXT prospect was in action last Sunday in Brooklyn. He received the same response at a show in Montreal on Sept. 6 when he went up against Cesaro.

Big E. Langston got over in a big way in NXT, and it translated to a promotion to the big roster. Zayn appears to be on the same path. 

Raquel Diaz

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The stacked NXT Diva division just got deeper—Raquel Diaz (Shaul Guerrero) is coming back.

Eddie and Vickie Guerrero's daughter took leave from NXT in part due to an eating disorder. PWMania.com reports on Diaz returning to Orlando to resume training, saying that she "had her last Houston Eating Disorders Anonymous meeting and is ready to make the move."

She joins Paige, Emma and Summer Rae in a division full of promising talent.

It's great to not only have her back in an NXT ring but to hear that she's doing well in terms of her eating disorder.

"

Just had my last workout at Washington Gym! You guys are hardcore! And now at my last Houston EDA meeting #OrlandoHereICome #LoveIt

— Shaul Guerrero (@Shaul_Guerrero) September 7, 2013"

Jo-Jo Offerman

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One of the newbies from Total Divas has winning the Divas Championship on her bucket list.

That's one of the most interesting tidbits to come out of a recent interview with Jo-Jo Offerman's mom, Alexie, on Divas 365.

Other highlights include Jo-Jo's sisters saying they think her boyfriend Justin Gabriel is hot and learning how hard Jo-Jo is training. Alexie Offerman says that after filming the first few episodes of Total Divas, Jo-Jo and Eva Marie were "training at NXT from 9 to 5 on a daily basis."

She went on to say that Jo-Jo "has expressed to us how much she loves the ring and how she would love to someday/some year earn the championship belt!"

It's certainly good to hear someone as green as Offerman working so hard and showing passion for the business. For her to challenge for that Divas title, though, she's going to have make her way through a number of talented Divas prospects. 

Offerman has the looks to make it, but she's one of the smaller women on the roster. Hers is going to be an uphill climb.

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NXT South of the Border?

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WWE bought out ECW and WCW and a few years ago was in serious discussion about purchasing Mexico's Asistencia Asesoría y Administracion (AAA) as well.

Dave Meltzer, via CagesideSeats.com, confirmed that "WWE attempted to buy their main Mexican rival promotion AAA a few years ago."

Most notable about the report is that WWE was apparently considering using the promotion as a way to improve its developmental product.

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WWE could have sent their developmental talent to the promotion to work in front of much bigger audiences and it would have also provided them with a pipeline to produce new Hispanic stars for their main roster. 

"

Former WCW and TNA wrestler Konnan reportedly stopped the deal. Unlike WCW in 2001, AAA was strong enough financially to walk away from whatever WWE offered them.

We're likely to see the issue revisited as WWE continues to grow as a global product.

Jim Ross Retires

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The next generation of NXT announcers won't have a legend in their ears any more.

As reported by WWE.com on Wednesday, "Jim Ross announced that he is retiring from WWE today." Ross had been training announcers in WWE developmental, a brilliant move by the company.

Why not learn from the best?

If up-and-coming sports commentators could hear Vin Scully or Marv Albert's advice, they would certainly benefit. That was the equivalent of Ross' influence, until he decided to step away.

Those willing can certainly dig Ross' archives and study him, but he won't be a part of NXT any longer. He'll be off enjoying a well-deserved retirement.

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