Bobby Roode, Nikki Storm and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Bobby Roode's WWE NXT arrival is not yet official, but indy favorite Nikki Storm's is.

Despite his onscreen appearance at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, Roode claims he doesn't yet have a deal with WWE's development brand. However, the rest of his comments in a recent interview suggest that something is certainly in the works.

As for Storm, the Scottish grappler is among the more notable names in the newest class of NXT recruits.

In other NXT news, a college football player has his eyes on WWE, a top prospect got busted open and one prominent high-flyer says he's not going to wrestle in the Global Cruiserweight Series.  

WWE Welcomes New Class of Recruits

The WWE Performance Center just got more crowded. WWE announced, "A new class of 10 recruits—including a former NFL player, an All-American collegiate wrestler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and talent from independent wrestling circuits—has begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida."

The newest signees include:

• Babatunde Aiyegbusi
• Bianca Blair
• Nikola Bogojevic
• Carolyn Dunning
• Macey Estrella
• Nicola Glencross
• Terrance Jean-Jacques
• Danielle Kamela
• Michael Nicholls
• Shane Veryzer

Aiyegbusi briefly played offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings. At 6'9'' and 350 pounds, size certainly won't be an issue for him.

Nicholls and Veryzer wrestle together as The Mighty Don't Kneel. The two Australians have been competing for Japan's Pro Wrestling Noah for the past few years.

Glencross (ring name: Nikki Storm) is among the most ready-to-go prospects in this class. She has been wrestling since 2008 and already has the Pro Wrestling Eve Championship on her resume.

The Scottish grappler is certainly one to watch moving forward.

College Football Player Eyes Potential WWE Career

If the NFL doesn't want LaQuan McGowan, pursuing a WWE career could be his next step.

The 410-pound tight end from Baylor has expressed an interest in stepping into the squared circle. In an interview with SB Nation's Alex Kirshner, McGowan said, "I feel like once that's over with, the WWE is calling my name."

Jim Ross tweeted that he has been in contact with McGowan and noted that the powerhouse would be a good fit for WWE.

McGowan's size would net him some interest from wrestling scouts. Add his athleticism and football experience, and it's certainly not hard to see him trading in his football cleats for wrestling boots.

Ricochet Not in the Global Cruiserweight Series Tournament

As exciting as the Global Cruiserweight Series tournament promises to be, it looks as if it won't have arguably the best high-flyer working today—Ricochet, aka Prince Puma.

Ricochet's name has been tossed around in rampant speculation since WWE announced the cruiserweight event. He recently made it clear, though, that he won't be a part of it. 

He tweeted,"Okay, guys listen. I will NOT be in the Global Cruiserweight Tournament. One reason, I'll be in Japan winning BOSJ. Again."

There's a chance he's simply trying to throw fans off as Chris Jericho has often done in the past, but it's more likely Ricochet is simply booked elsewhere.

Bobby Roode Says NXT Deal Not Done

When Bobby Roode showed up in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, many fans took it as a sign that the former TNA world champ was poised for a move to the WWE developmental brand.

That may soon happen, but it's best to not make any Roode-NXT fan signs right now. He says he hasn't put pen to paper yet. 

Roode told Sean McIntosh of the Peterborough Examiner, "I'm not officially signed yet. The Internet has blown up over it, and I mean I'm close, but I don't want to spoil anything or ruin anything. I want to wait until it's official."

Those last comments certainly sound as if he's discussing a deal with NXT. With Roode not exactly being a rookie, he's likely angling for a Samoa Joe-type deal where he keeps his name, occupies the top rungs of the NXT ladder and makes some good change while he's at it.

Other News, Notes

Shinsuke Nakamura bled again.

The King of Strong Style's debut saw him suffer a broken nose. Then in a match at an NXT live event last Friday in Columbia, South Carolina, he again needed medical officials to tend to his bleeding.

A F4WOnline.com report for the show reads, "As the match went on, there's blood on the side of Nakamura's head, and the match is stopped. The doctors came out to work on Nakamura causing the crowd to chant, 'PG Sucks,' among other things."

WWE later released a video (above) of Nakamura receiving stitches to close a gash in his head.

Leva Bates (who sometimes wrestles for NXT as Blue Pants) was hurt over the weekend, too. 

Ignite Wrestling announced (h/t Wrestle Zone) that Bates broke her ankle in a match last Friday. She will still attend an upcoming Ignite event as planned but will do a meet-and-greet rather than wrestle. 

Bates noted on Twitter that she won't require surgery.

And in what may just be an oversight, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady are all listed on the WWE.com's Superstars page, but Simon Gotch and Aiden English are both absent despite their recent matches on SmackDown. Both members of The Vaudevillains are only listed on the NXT page.