Alex Riley, Kenneth Crawford and Latest WWE NXT Developmental News

Alex Riley ventured from the commentary team to the WWE NXT ring. His passion and promo skills didn't prove enough, though. The company let him go, making him one of the handful of stars released last week.

Kenneth Crawford, an unproven prospect who has only barely been on TV, is in a different stage in his career. 

That career suddenly looked as if it was in danger of ending over the weekend. Crawford suffered a scary-looking injury, but the latest update was of the positive variety.

In other NXT news, the cruiserweight tournament got two new entrants and a new name, Dana Brooke took a big step in her journey and Asuka left her foe dripping with blood. 

Global Cruiserweight Series Updates

Before the Global Cruiserweight Series finalized its field, WWE decided to give it a re-branding. As seen on WWE.com, the company has changed the name of the tournament to the Cruiserweight Classic.

And two more names from the independent scene are now officially part of that tourney. As WWE announced on its official website, Drew Gulak and TJ Perkins both qualified by winning matches at an EVOLVE event in New York over the weekend.

Perkins is a former TNA X-Division champion. His resume also includes stints for Ring of Honor and Mexico's CMLL promotion.

Gulak (29) is a few years younger than Perkins (31) but is plenty experienced as well. He's been wrestling since 2005, working matches for everyone from Combat Zone Wrestling to Chikara.

Prospect Suffers Injury Scare

Credit: WWE.com

Despite strong performances in the ring from Elias Samson, Angelo Dawkins and others at an NXT house show in Citrus Springs, Florida, on Friday night, it wasn't the action fans were talking about afterward. Kenneth Crawford's health was the chief concern.

Crawford fell awkwardly during his match and stayed stunned on the mat before officials led him out on a stretcher. Michael Cruz, a fan in attendance, tweeted a photo of medical staff attending to Crawford, who was wearing a neck brace in the shot.

As bad as that appeared to be, it looks as if Crawford will be fine. The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported, "He is believed to be OK as all his tests came back negative."

We see enough injuries on the main roster, but NXT is bound to see more wrestlers get hurt. Inexperience can to lead to incidents like this.

WWE Cuts NXT Wrestlers

On Friday, WWE announced that it was cutting ties with a number of talents including both Alex Riley and Cameron, who had been performing for NXT.

Riley had previously been an NXT announcer before returning to the ring. He underwent knee surgery last year and only recently got back to wrestling at Full Sail University. WWE decided not to keep him on the roster.

Cameron had moved to NXT in an attempt to revive her career much like Tyson Kidd and Emma did before her. She was not on TV much, however, and is now a free agent like Riley, Damien Sandow and El Torito.

This kind of movement is inevitable with how many talents WWE continues to sign. There is only room for so many, and eventually the company has to decide whom it thinks simply won't make it.

Dana Brooke Makes Her Raw Debut

Dana Brooke has officially made the move from NXT to WWE proper.

She made her debut on Monday's Raw, attacking Becky Lynch alongside Emma. Emma and Brooke had been allies at NXT. The duo is reportedly getting a shot thanks to Team B.A.D. not being around.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Wrestling Inc), Brooke will be working on the main roster with Emma as a way to fill the void created by Tamina and Naomi suffering from injuries.

Brooke had a lot of learning left to do, but WWE clearly fast-tracked her. A rivalry with Lynch at least will offer her a high-quality opponent as she begins her run on the main roster.

Other News, Notes

Asuka left her mark on Alexa Bliss in a recent bout at an NXT live event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As seen on a F4WOnline.com report, Bliss bled during the bout. A fan tweeted a photo of Bliss' busted nose.

Bliss later tweeted, "It's going to take a lot more than that to keep me down."

Asuka is set to join Shinsuke Nakamura as part of a main roster event. PWInsider's Mike Johnson noted that both NXT stars will be at the June 29 WWE show in Hawaii.

When NXT travels to the United Kingdom, it will have a mix of emerging and established stars in tow. Dave Meltzer noted on the Wrestling Observer, "The names announced for the NXT tour of the UK in June are Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder, Manny Andrade, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Tye Dillinger and Riddick Moss. Bobby Roode was also announced, but then the post announcing him was deleted."

Roode has yet to make an appearance for NXT after showing up in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. There has been no word on when he's expected to begin his NXT run.