Charlotte, Uhaa Nation and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News
Charlotte is reportedly inching closer to leaving WWE NXT, while Uhaa Nation looks to be busy elsewhere.
The NXT women's champ is every bit ready for a call-up. The latest word points to her getting that promotion before long. Nation, an indy star rumored to be coming to WWE developmental, may be in England instead for a good while.
In other NXT news, Steve Austin offers his thoughts on the product coming out of Full Sail University every week, the Takeover special gets a few more bouts, and both Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville continue to get opportunities just outside of the main roster.
Those two top Superstars are a safe bet to be called up. Charlotte is right there with them as a ring general awaiting a bigger stage.
Update on Charlotte's Potential Call-Up
1 of 5NXT has been focusing more on Bayley and Sasha Banks than Charlotte as of late. Perhaps that's just preparation for her exit.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required, h/t Wrestling Inc) reports there is continued talk about Charlotte coming to the main roster soon, perhaps after the live special on Dec. 11.
That date makes sense as she could drop the women's title to Banks and be free to move to Raw and SmackDown to seek out the belt that Nikki Bella currently carries. Banks is just as ready to thrive at WWE's highest level, but there hasn't been as much buzz about her making that move right now.
Charlotte's lineage, presence and growing resume of outstanding matches are clearly forcing officials to notice her.
Updated Card for NXT Takeover: R Evolution
2 of 5NXT Takeover: R Evolution, set for Dec. 11, is shaping up to be one hell of a card. The main event alone is worth tuning in for, but WWE announced more intriguing matches via its official website.
In addition to Adrian Neville battling Sami Zayn for the NXT Championship, the following matches are lined up:
- Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks (Women's Championship)
- The Lucha Dragons vs. The Vaudevillains (Tag Team Championship)
- Finn Balor and Hideo Itami vs. The Ascension
- Kevin Owens' debut
The tag title bout should be fun and fast-paced, but the biggest potential show-stealer is The Ascension taking on NXT's newcomers. It's a prime opportunity for Balor and Itami to announce their presence in their new home.
As for Charlotte's potential exit match, she faces the best female ring worker at NXT right now and should thrive. Charlotte has produced at every NXT live special she's been a part of.
She'll be looking to top those previous efforts on a night that promises to be one of the better WWE shows of the year.
Jack Swagger, Steve Austin Comment on NXT
3 of 5
Jack Swagger and Steve Austin had some interesting thoughts on NXT.
In an interview with Mike Jones of DC 101, Swagger said of the prospects at NXT, "I know they're training hard; otherwise they wouldn't be there. They have a sign on the wall that says 'When one comes in, one has to go out.' It's very cutthroat down there, and I know that they wouldn't be there unless they wanted it."
That's especially noteworthy after Vince McMahon essentially called out the WWE roster on Austin's podcast on Monday night.
That kind of drive is going to help those prospects succeed on the main roster. With WWE continually adding new talent, it certainly is a "one comes in, one has to go out" situation.
When Chad Gable, Kevin Owens and Solomon Crowe debut, that's going to push out someone who is struggling.
The Texas Rattlesnake offered his opinion about NXT's production. Austin told Adam Stephen Kelly of Rolling Stone, "I haven't watched a whole lot of it, but what I have seen I liked. I like the lighting, I like the action and it just feels different. I understand what WWE's trying to do with Monday Night Raw—they want it to look like it's the slickest production in the world, but sometimes it's too slick."
There is certainly a simpler, more old-school feel to NXT. That's part of its appeal, as well its focus on in-ring action rather than talking segments.
The show offers an alternative to the WWE product despite being an offshoot of it.
Potential Prospect Wins Indy Championship
4 of 5Uhaa Nation may still end up coming to NXT, but it doesn't look like it will be right away. According to Wrestling Inc, it has been rumored but not confirmed that he would soon be signing a developmental deal, but he went and won a championship at another promotion.
PWTorch.com notes that Nation defeated Chris Masters and Dave Mastiff in Preston, England on Nov. 29 to win the Preston City Wrestling Heavyweight Championship.
Common protocol for wrestlers signing with other companies is that they drop titles, not add them. He could certainly have a short reign and head down to Florida, but as long as he wears that crown, don't wait around for him to be the next NXTer.
He should, however, be at the top of WWE's wish list. He's a fantastic, well-rounded athlete who comes off as very likable. Big things await him at NXT should he arrive.
Other News, Notes
5 of 5There's a good amount of hype brewing for Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville's upcoming title bout. Michael Cole welcomed Neville as his guest on his weekly interview series, as seen above. He is the first NXT star to do so.
He'll get another chance to speak his mind soon, this time on the Talk is Jericho podcast. Jericho announced on Twitter that Neville and Zayn will be guests on his podcast on Friday, Dec. 5.
Those two wrestlers also worked a main roster event but in action that won't air on TV. Zayn and Neville wrestled each other in a dark match before this week's SmackDown tapings, per ProFightDB.com.
That contest is one of the many times they have faced off. Chemistry will not be an issue at NXT Takeover: R Evolution. It marks the latest dark match these men have been asked to work. These opportunities point to them moving up to the main roster.
As the two most main roster-ready prospects, it makes perfect sense that WWE keeps handing them these chances as they slowly work their way up to the big leagues.
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