Indie star makes NXT debut at Full Sail tapings

With ongoing action down in Winter Park, Florida for WWE NXT's first television taping of the year, we were expecting some big news items. It's been that kind of week, after all.

The first debut of the evening may not be a bombshell along the lines of John Cena's injury or a bunch of New Japan guys headed to Raw or anything, but it's something a lot of fans have been looking forward to since news of this high-flier's signing came out last year.

Dragon Gate and Evolve standout Rich Swann, working as Richard Swann, debuted to face Baron Corbin. As you'd expect given an opponent in the midst of a push like the Lone Wolf, Swann didn't pull out a victory. He lost like most guys who face Corbin, after an End of Days.

But he's moving up the charts and is one step closer to being a player on NXT. It's not unusual for newer signees to debut under their legal name and then be repackaged with a WWE name and gimmick when there's an angle ready for them (see Jessica McKay -> Billie Kay or Cassie McIntosh - Peyton Royce). That looks like it will be Swann's path.

Excited?