NXT is a standalone brand, and may be even more of one soon if reports of a move to FS1 are correct. But it’s always going to play a role in WWE’s Developmental process. And considering last Saturday’s TakeOver: Toronto show featured matches with a couple stars currently showing up on Raw every week and a main eventer who was sort of called up to the main roster at the start of the year, we’ve been watching for signs of who might be leaving the black-and-gold for the red or blue as much as ever the past few days.
We didn’t get much in the way of definitive answers SummerSlam weekend, and there wasn’t an official he-or-she-is-leaving announcement at the taping of future episodes of NXT’s weekly show in Winter Park, Florida last night (Aug. 15) either.
But we got one in-story announcement that seemed like a shoot, and a match result which seems like a big step toward a move.
SPOILERS in the following discussion, obviously.
First, Johnny Gargano addressed his curtain call from Toronto. Not before he was interrupted by Shane Thorne, of course, because this is wrestling. After putting the Aussie down with a superkick, Gargano announced he’s staying in NXT.
Full Sail and NXT will always be home for @JohnnyGargano #NXTFSLive pic.twitter.com/Rfw8o4BzI3
— Will Henderson (@willh94) August 16, 2019
Not sure when this will air other than that it probably won’t be next week, but it was the main event of the taping at Full Sail Live. It also definitely made it seem like Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins may soon be doing more than making us laugh in backstage segments on Raw. They dropped their titles to Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish of Undisputed ERA, got a “Thank You Profits” chant. Then WWE announced it themselves.
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The other act I was wondering about personally, Candice LeRae, was also involved last night. So with her husband sticking around, it looks like Mrs. Wrestling is, too.
If these items indicate what we think they do, they make sense. Paul Heyman is reportedly high on Street Profits, and has used weekly appearances by the duo since the July 1 Raw to get main roster fans anticipating their in-ring debut. The path is now clear for that.
Gargano, on the other hand, would probably have to get in line behind other smaller good workers who are either already or are currently being established as players on the main roster. He’s set as a big deal in NXT, though, and figures to be a marquee name when/if the move to cable happens.
Get all the results from Thursday night in our full spoiler post here, and let us know what you think below.