Kevin Owens, Bill DeMott and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Kevin Owens is stepping away from the ring momentarily, while buzz still surrounds former WWE NXT trainer Bill DeMott after he stepped down from his position.

An injury has the NXT champion recovering rather than wrestling. Meanwhile, more perspectives about the DeMott situation have emerged. 

The latest round of WWE developmental news isn't all surgery and controversy, though. The company has added a number of talents from the independent circuit, including two women with the potential to make big impacts on the Divas division. 

The additions come at a good time, as there may soon be some slots to fill at NXT.

Backstage reports point to imminent promotions for a few prospects. The list of participants in the weekend's house shows points in the same direction.

WWE Signs Several Wrestlers to Developmental Deals

WWE added a new stock talent to the developmental system including two grapplers from Australia.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports that WWE has signed Chris Atkins and Jasmin Areebi. Johnson also notes that "Uhaa Nation is finishing up his independent appearances and has come to terms for a WWE NXT deal."

Lance Storm noted on Twitter that his former student KC Cassidy also snagged a WWE deal.

Areebi is athletic and has a great look. She's just the kind of female wrestler WWE looks for. 

Atkins is an Australian bodybuilder. Cassidy is an Aussie as well. She's a really good worker who can hit a number of high-flying moves.

The big prize here is Nation, an athletic marvel with plenty of charm. He has been one of the hottest names in the indys and after months of rumors, looks to be finally headed to Full Sail University.

Once he gets on TV, he's going to make a big impact on NXT, blowing fans away.

NXT Champ Undergoes Knee Surgery

The very top of the NXT food chain is set to be vacant for a few weeks. WWE announced on its website that Kevin Owens "underwent a partial meniscectomy for a knee injury late last week."

On Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestle Zone), Dave Meltzer said that the NXT champ is expected to miss four-to-six weeks of action.

NXT's being taped makes it easier for the company to work around his absence, but it likely means Owens will miss more shows, as they are taped in bunches.

That has to have guys like Baron Corbin and Bull Dempsey salivating. This is a huge opportunity to impress with Owens gone for the moment. WWE is going to need an alpha male while Owens heals; somebody has to step up.

Backstage Word on Call-Ups, WWE Seeking Ring of Honor Stars

NXT may look a lot different in the next couple of months. The company reportedly wants to make some additions from Ring of Honor and is likely to send a few top names to the main roster.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), WWE is looking to add new talents from ROH once their contracts expire. The idea is reportedly to add top indie wrestlers to the NXT brand, not necessarily to bring them to the main roster at any point.

For some wrestlers, the steady check from NXT beats piecing together an income from the independent circuit. ROH can still shell out more than many smaller promotions, though. 

The report also notes that officials have been discussing bringing up Sasha Banks, Adrian Neville and Charlotte.

None of those names is a surprise. There is nothing left for Neville to accomplish at NXT. He has shown himself ready for the bigger stage for a long time. Banks and Charlotte are NXT's top Divas; their moves to the main roster are inevitable.

Latest on Bill DeMott Situation

The full story about Bill DeMott is beginning to take shape. Last week, accusations of physical abuse, racism and homophobia caused him to step down from his position as NXT's head trainer.

Now, more details are slowly coming to the surface.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc) reports that the issues with DeMott were not secret. In fact, WWE installed cameras in the Performance Center to keep an eye on things. The report notes that some felt he was a timebomb that could go off at any moment.

In addition, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that some people formerly in the developmental system feel that Austin Matelson's stories were true but exaggerated. 

Tommy Dreamer spoke on Busted Open Nation (video above) about DeMott and his time working at developmental. He confirms that WWE did put in cameras. He also has little negative to say about his former co-worker.

Dreamer called DeMott a "good trainer" and said he only once had a problem with him, alluding to something involving racism. The former ECW star noted that the trainees didn't step up when he asked them to meet with him privately if they had any issues.

Silence doesn't mean that nothing happened, though. Fear could have kept people from speaking their minds, as Dreamer mentions.

One former developmental wrestler had only praise for DeMott. In an interview with The Roman Show, Jody Kristofferson said the following about the former head trainer:

"

He was a hard trainer, but he was getting paid to be a hard trainer. It's like when you go to the military they are not training you to be your friend, they are training you to go to war. Was Bill rough at times? Yeah, but I learned from Bill. There were times were we butted heads, but he made me a better wrestler.

"

What's Kristofferson's definition of "rough," though? Stretching a guy out or yelling in someone's face is just hard-nosed coaching. The question central to this controversy is if DeMott crossed over the line from hard coaching to abuse.

House Show Notes

It's looking more and more like Adrian Neville and Sasha Banks are headed to the main roster before long. They continue to be among the few NXT wrestlers invited to perform on WWE house shows.

This weekend was no exception.

Neville faced Curtis Axel on Saturday's live event in Milwaukee. Neville defeated Axel in the former IC champ's hometown on Sunday.

Kalisto and NXT women's champ Banks worked tag matches on the March 14 house show in Seattle. Both wrestlers appeared on the event in Abbotsford, British Columbia, the night before.

WWE's recent history has shown that it likes to bring up new names after WrestleMania. With that event drawing ever closer, one has to expect that Banks and/or Neville will be showing up on Raw before long.

They are both plenty talented enough to thrive at that level. As long as WWE doesn't stick Neville in a Mighty Mouse costume and keep Banks limited to two-minute matches, one can safely bet on their success.

All event information courtesy of Pro Wrestling Torch.