Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Change is coming to WWE NXT as Kevin Owens is slated to move on to the big time, and the writing team reportedly has something in the works for Finn Balor there.

Owens' rapid journey had him go from debuting on NXT to taking home its championship in just two months. Now it appears that he's headed for a promotion after an impressive bout against John Cena. As for Balor, it looks like he will be joining Owens before long.

In other WWE developmental news, two new recruits joined the party, the company may be open to welcoming a former TNA great, and The Nature Boy is scheduled to travel with the NXT roster for a short while. It's a roster that could soon be sans Owens, Balor and even Samoa Joe, despite just getting started at Full Sail University.

Kevin Owens Heading to Main Roster, Samoa Joe Signs Full-Time Deal

NXT is going to need a new champion; Kevin Owens is on his way out.

According to F4WOnline, "Kevin Owens has signed a WWE main roster contract, and will be making the transition from the NXT brand to the main brand quickly."

Despite how fast this is happening, it's not a surprise. WWE had Owens debut against John Cena at Elimination Chamber and achieve the rare feat of toppling the fan favorite. It wouldn't make sense for him to waste that momentum by heading back down to NXT for another year.

Samoa Joe, who just recently stormed into NXT with his eyes on Owens, is going to be fast-tracked to the main roster as well.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports, "Joe has agreed to a full-time WWE contract, according to several sources." He adds, "Joe's existing NXT contract featured a clause that would allow the company to sign him to a full-fledged deal. WWE opted to execute that clause this past Thursday."

This is a good move by WWE. No need to dawdle with Joe. He's more than ready for the main roster. It will be just a matter of the company finding the right way to present him.

Many fans are fully aware of his exploits with Ring of Honor and TNA. Some will need an introduction to the Samoan Submission Machine. 

WWE Reportedly Has Big Plans for Finn Balor

Finn Balor fans won't have to wait long to see him jump to the main roster. WWE officials are already thinking of how to use the NXT standout as a Superstar rather than a prospect.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez (h/t WrestlingInc) reported that WWE Creative has big plans for Balor on the main roster.

That answers the question of whether Balor was going to have to stick around NXT for as long as Bo Dallas and Neville did. Alvarez doesn't mention a timeline for Balor's call-up, but WWE isn't famous for planning anything long term.

The fact that he's in the discussion in the writing room points to his getting promoted soon. 

At NXT, Balor's been allowed to carry over much of what he did in Japan. Hopefully, WWE proper does the same and doesn't try to rearrange who he is.

Triple H Welcomes New Recruits to WWE Performance Center

Credit: WWE.com

Talent keeps coming into the NXT system. After adding 11 recruits in April, WWE scouts didn't take any time off. A pair of athletes from India are on their way next.

Triple H tweeted, "I'd like to welcome Lovepreet Sangha and Satender from India." The Game noted that Sangha is a champion Kabaddi player and writes that Satender "was crowned 2-time Kushti Indian National Heavyweight Champion."

Kabaddi is a sport that involves players running and trying to grab each other. It clearly requires a good amount of athleticism, but Sangha won't have as easy a time translating his skills to the ring as Satender will.

Both men enter a crowded field of talent. Finding a way to stand out from the other athletes will be key.

WWE Reportedly Open to Signing AJ Styles

AJ Styles is forcing folks to take notice. His current run with New Japan Pro Wrestling has seen him produce some of the best work of his career.

That apparently has WWE intrigued about the possibility of his joining the team. Dave Scherer writes for PWInsider, "There has been talk for the last week or so that WWE is open to bring AJ Styles in."

That's a shift from the past when WWE ignored Styles following his exit from TNA. The desire to make NXT an indy-like brand is likely a part of that change in philosophy.

Styles killing it in Japan has to play a part in that too.

Even at 38, he has plenty to offer WWE. He's a world-class performer in the ring and one of the bigger non-WWE names out there right now.  

Other News, Notes

NXT fans are set to have a Hall of Famer in their midst. According to PWInsider Elite (h/t WrestlingInc), Ric Flair has been booked for upcoming NXT house shows in Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh.

While it's not confirmed what his role is, one would have to assume that he works with his daughter Charlotte in some capacity. 

Tyler Breeze may be next in line behind Kevin Owens and Finn Balor for a move to the main roster. He recently garnered some opportunities to work WWE events. As noted on Pro Wrestling Torch, Breeze lost in tag team action at a WWE live event on May 29 and worked a show the next night, where he delivered a promo with Summer Rae.

These could be precursors to a call-up or just tests to see how non-NXT crowds react to him.

Bull Dempsey will reunite with one of his former teachers. As PWInsider notes, Dempsey will be on Taz's podcast on June 5.