Kenta, Kevin Steen and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

WWE NXT snagged one major talent in Kenta and is reportedly close to officially adding another in Kevin Steen.

Kenta (known as KENTA in Japan, but WWE has removed the stylization) signed a contract with WWE developmental, making him one of the biggest Japanese stars to ever work for the company. The NXT roster could grow even bigger in the near future.

Australian and New Zealand indy wrestlers will have a shot in August to get developmental deals of their own. Other NXT news provides an update on Steen coming to WWE, the latest special guests set to appear at NXT and a look at the now one-year-old Performance Center courtesy of Bill DeMott and Bo Dallas.

Kenta Officially Signs with WWE

One of Pro Wrestling Noah's most exciting wrestlers is now a part of WWE developmental. WWE announced on July 12 that it signed Kenta to NXT.

Even with as much clout as he'll have, he appears to be humble as he begins the experience.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that in a recent conference call, Kenta said that "he is currently working on relocating to Orlando for NXT and that he has no problems with WWE changing his ring name if that is what they want." Johnson also notes that Kenta said he's "working on his English and will be happy to start at the bottom to make his name in WWE."

WWE will appreciate that attitude, but he won't be starting at the bottom. He'll surpass those who are new to the craft right away.

His NXT tenure will likely be mostly about adjusting his style to fit WWE's. His work in Japan was built around strikes that are harder than what WWE wrestlers give and take.

Expect him to shoot up the NXT ladder thanks to his speed, agility and in-ring storytelling ability. WWE made a far bigger deal about signing him than it does most prospects.

The company knows this is no ordinary pickup.

Wrestlers to Get Tryout in Australia

Several wrestlers from Australia and New Zealand are nearing a major opportunity: a WWE tryout.

When WWE heads to Australia for a number of live events in August, the company will have a look at some of the talent that side of the world has to offer. 

Mountain Scene writes that Marc Perry (Marcus Kool) "is one of eight New Zealand wrestlers flying to Melbourne to trial for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in early August." The Taranaki Daily News adds that Shane Whitehead ("The Shooter" Shane Sinclair) will be looking to impress WWE scouts in Melbourne as well.

Perry is a quick, agile high-flyer. Whitehead is bigger than Perry and has an amateur background. 

The Wyatt Family Coming Home

Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan may have first emerged from the swamps, but they made their way to WWE through NXT. Full Sail University is set to welcome them once more.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that The Wyatt Family will appear at the July 17 NXT tapings.

Does The Ascension challenge the former NXT tag champs, or does Wyatt take on one of the top prospects? There are a number of enticing scenarios that could play out here, but it will be fun to see Wyatt's crew back where it began.

Updates on Kevin Steen and Prince Devitt

With Kenta now in the fold after months of rumblings and speculation, one has to wonder when and if Kevin Steen and Prince Devitt, subjects of recent rumors themselves, will join him.

According to PWInsider (h/t WrestlingInc), Steen is not officially signed as he has yet to undergo medical testing. Devitt is reportedly expected to be working at NXT in September alongside recent signee Kenta, although there is no confirmation that Devitt has officially joined WWE.

Signs continue to point to Steen and Devitt coming to NXT as surreal as that idea sounds.

Like with Kenta, there is worry that WWE will try to change them too much or underutilize them, but there's no denying how much buzz those two stars would bring to Full Sail University. Steen's work at Ring of Honor and Devitt's time with New Japan Pro Wrestling have shown both wrestlers to be tremendous, exciting performers.

Imagining them battling Sami Zayn or Adrian Neville at NXT is enough to make fans salivate. 

Bill DeMott, Bo Dallas Talk WWE Performance Center

NXT trainer Bill DeMott and former NXT champion Bo Dallas talked with Brian Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel about WWE's Performance Center and the developmental system in general.

Beyond some free publicity for WWE, this article is an interesting look behind the scenes. The center is now a year old and certainly received rave reviews from the folks interviewed in the piece.

On his experience there, Dallas said, "I sharpened and fine-tuned everything I had and needed." He also said it made the transition to the main roster easier, noting, "It's not like you're jumping into a whole other world. You're prepared for what they need."

DeMott thinks expectations for prospects are higher now with the improved Performance Center and training at their disposal. He also told Fritz that "there's less of a gap and they're TV ready."

The Performance Center and NXT's success won't be truly measured for a few years. For now, acts like Dallas, Emma and Adam Rose haven't been home runs since joining the main roster. Should they and their peers become significant pieces of the WWE landscape, it will speak to the power of the developmental program.