Zamariah 'ZZ' Loupe, Jasmin Areebi and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Zamariah "ZZ" Loupe and Jasmin Areebi, for very different reasons, weren't expected to have much of a future at WWE NXT, but each is poised to defy those expectations.

Few thought ZZ would have a shot at getting a developmental deal. Despite making it to the finals of Tough Enough, he was that competition's running joke. The underdog continually made it to the next round, and each time it was even more surprising than that last.

He may have one more underdog story in him. Thanks to a recent report, there's reason to believe that he may actually sign a WWE contract.

As for Areebi, she managed to sidestep a media firestorm. Controversial social media posts won't be the end of her WWE career.

Other NXT news includes what the newest signee will go by, what WWE is calling the next TakeOver special and the latest word on prospects receiving bonuses. 

Tough Enough Finalist Working at WWE Performance Center

Gator wrestler and star of Swamp People, Zamariah Loupe (better known as "ZZ") may not be done with WWE. Josh Bredl beat him out in the Tough Enough finals, and many fans expected that to be the end of ZZ's wrestling career.

However, PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote that "ZZ reported to the WWE Performance Center and was training in the ring with the developmental roster yesterday, so it would appear that WWE is or has signed him to some sort of deal."

That's shocking news. ZZ's survival in the reality-show competition defied logic. He was among the least athletic men in the field. He seemed to lack a strong work ethic, as well.

It looks, though, like WWE believes that his charm and personality are valuable enough to invest in him. No word on whether this was an extended tryout or a developmental deal.

This is a story worth keeping one's eyes on. If ZZ works his way to NXT TV, it's going to be one of the biggest surprises in the brand's history.

Update on NXT Bonuses

Last week, WWE held a meeting to discuss the issue of NXT talents receiving extra pay for doing larger shows like the recent event in Brooklyn. 

On PWInsider, Mike Johnson wrote, "During the meeting, the roster was told that as things currently stand, they would not be receiving bonuses and would continue to be paid based on their NXT contracts." Johnson also noted that prospects will receive merchandise percentages, and that the company has reworked deals for several top talents.

That's a good start. WWE can't treat NXT like its old developmental territories, but it can't treat it as simply another brand, as there are major costs associated with training and developing these wrestlers. 

The NXT model is nothing like WWE has had before. Ohio Valley Wrestling didn't generate merchandise sales. Florida Championship Wrestling didn't travel across the country and to the United Kingdom.

WWE has to tweak things as it goes along. It has to keep its prospects (and indy stars working NXT like Samoa Joe) happy while not bleeding money at the same time. 

WWE Issues Statement on Prospect's Controversial Social Media Posts

Jasmin Areebi made headlines before her NXT debut for the wrong reasons. 

As Wrestle Zone and other outlets noted (link contains NSFW language) last week, fans caught wind of old posts on Areebi's Twitter accounts that featured racially insensitive remarks. Speculation followed that WWE would likely cut her as a result.

Instead, the company sent Wrestling Inc the following statement, "WWE conducted a thorough investigation and has determined that Nhooph Al-Areebi's (aka Jasmin) Twitter account was used without her knowledge when she was 16 and 17 years old. Jasmin remains apologetic for any offensive remarks that were made."

Hopefully, that story is over with.

It does, though, provide a lesson for other prospects. Clean out your social media accounts of any objectionable material, whether you posted it or not. And as Herm Edwards has always said, "Don't press send!"

TakeOver Special Updates

The next NXT live special already has its main event in the form of Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the NXT Women's Championship in a 30-minute Iron Man match. Now the show has a name.

In a tweet hyping the event, Triple H referred to the Oct. 7 event as "NXT TakeOver: Respect." WWE then confirmed the name choice, calling the live special the same thing on its official website.

As noted on last week's NXT, the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic will happen at TakeOver. The rest of the card is unknown for now, but we do know what kind of entertainment to expect that night. Corey Graves posted that the band "Bring Me the Horizon" from the United Kingdom will be at the event.

Other News, Notes

There has been a lot of talk about Leva "Blue Pants" Bates' contract. She isn't a full-time member of the NXT roster nor one of those indy wrestlers who just appear once or twice and remained unnamed on the show.

She offered a bit of clarity on the situation in an appearance on the Rodolfo Show. Bates referred to herself as a "free agent." "I come and go," she added. 

Bates may prefer her freedom, but NXT should really sign her to a full-on deal. She is an experienced hand who would help the up-and-comers in the women's division develop.

The Young Bucks again teased fans about potentially coming to NXT. The duo tweeted "we will be going Full Sail this weekend for Ring of Honor." That's likely just The Young Bucks looking to stir up fans on the Internet. 

Their tongues are often resting in their cheeks.

Last week, WWE announced that it had signed Kana to an NXT deal. As F4WOnline noted, Kana's new ring name will be "Asuka." This is presumably a nod to Hall of Fame Japanese wrestler Lioness Asuka.