標籤: NXT

A week after his NXT debut, the ring name former NJPW star EVIL will use in WWE has been revealed. According to Fightful Select, he is expected to move to NXT under the name Nox Raijin. WWE filed a trademark for the name on April 28, the same day he debuted on the brand.

The “Raijin” part of the name holds a specific meaning, referring to the Japanese god of thunder and lightning. It appears that WWE is creating a character based on both his Japanese origins and the heel persona he developed during his NJPW run. EVIL is currently listed internally under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe, while branding is finalized.

His debut on the April 28 episode of NXT saw him take on NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo in a no-name match. Commentator Vic Joseph identified him as the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and deliberately used the phrase “pure evil” during the segment.

The beginning followed weeks of production in which D’Angelo received a mysterious gift containing the Japanese symbol for war, a piece of foreshadowing that directly pointed to the arrival of EVIL.

EVIL left NJPW in January after more than a decade with the promotion, during which he served as the leader of House of Torture and was previously a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon. His signing was confirmed by PWInsider in late April.

Fightful Select also reports that another former LIJ member, Hiromu Takahashi, who finished with NJPW in February, remains a name to watch in terms of potential WWE signings.

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL may debut in WWE soon.

Sources have indicated to BodySlam that EVIL is expected to debut soon following his recent signing with the company, with tonight’s NXT emerging as a possibility given the mysterious storyline currently ongoing on the brand.

PWInsider first confirmed the signing last week, noting that WWE has yet to publicly acknowledge the deal. A follow-up report from PWInsider also revealed that EVIL is currently listed internally on WWE’s diverse roster – the same category used for legends and injured talent – ​​suggesting that the company has not yet decided which brand he will be assigned to. That picture is probably about to change.

So where does evil fit in? The NXT connection stems from last week’s episode of the brand, during which Tony D’Angelo was presented with a box containing the Japanese kanji for “war”. The delivery immediately led to speculation that EVIL may have been behind it, with many fans and observers pointing out the obvious similarities between the secret package and his arrival in WWE.

Others have suggested that the sender could be Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Meteor Sasaki, who is currently on tour in NXT. No confirmation of either theory has been provided, but the timing of the bodyslam’s imminent first report on The Tonight Show fuels EVIL speculation.

EVIL had a breakout moment in his career after betraying Los Ingobernables de Japon to join up with Bullet Club in 2020. He defeated Tetsuya Naito, retaining both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, a moment that marked a significant change in NJPW’s storytelling at the time.

His overall resume includes one IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, one IWGP Intercontinental Championship reign, four NEVER Openweight Championship reigns, two IWGP Tag Team Championship reigns, and six NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship reigns. He left NJPW in January before his WWE contract was confirmed in late April. Japanese sources are expected to drop the EVIL ring name going forward, although WWE has not publicly confirmed any new name.

WWE has signed with former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources in Japan. While rumors regarding his destination have been circulating for months, the signing has now been confirmed. According to the same sources, the expectation in Japan is that he will not wear the EVIL ring name upon his WWE debut.

EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, made a name for himself in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2020 after one of the most talked-about heel turns of that era. Originally a member of the Los Ingobernables de Japon faction, he shocked fans by betraying the group and allying himself with Bullet Club, adopting a darker, intervention-heavy character in the process.

The result was soon rewarded. He defeated Tetsuya Naito to become a double champion, as well as hold the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, a moment that marked a significant shift in NJPW’s storytelling during that period.

一份新报告揭示了 NXT 的前景，该公司将被定位为未来黑金品牌的顶级玩家。

NXT 之于 WWE，就像大学运动之于 NFL、MLB 和 NBA 等联盟一样。当然，也有一些资深明星参与该品牌的竞争，而知名的 WWE 明星偶尔会出现在节目中。然而，NXT 一直是一个培养能够在十年内成为主力阵容面孔的表演者的品牌。

此外，就像大学体育运动一样，人员流动也很大。表演中心的工作人员培养新的明星，让他们晋升到一个新的水平，然后他们用新的人才重复这个过程。去年年底，NXT 核心明星 Trick Williams、Oba Femi 和 Je’Von Evans 离开后，情况就是如此。

基努·卡弗将被定位为 WWE NXT 的顶级明星

此后几周，乔·亨德利（Joe Hendry）和新晋 NXT 冠军托尼·德安吉洛（Tony D’Angelo）等表演者都得到了提升，以帮助填补这些角色。嗯，看来另一位黑金明星即将大举进军。据 BodySlam+ 报道，基努·卡弗预计将在未来几周和几个月内获得重大推动，并可能很快成为德安吉洛的第一位冠军挑战者。

在 WWE Evolve 取得统治地位后，卡弗于一月份重返 NXT 品牌并继续他的恐怖统治。成为目前名单上最可怕的高跟鞋之一。随着他继续成为 NXT 顶级明星，获得冠军机会将符合该品牌最近为他讲述的故事。

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一份新報告揭示了 NXT 的前景，該公司將被定位為未來黑金品牌的頂級玩家。

NXT 之於 WWE，就像大學運動之於 NFL、MLB 和 NBA 等聯盟一樣。當然，也有一些資深明星參與品牌的競爭，而知名的 WWE 明星偶爾會出現在節目中。然而，NXT 一直是一個培養能夠在十年內成為主力陣容面孔的表演者的品牌。

此外，就像大學體育運動一樣，人員流動也很大。表演中心的工作人員培養新的明星，讓他們晉升到一個新的水平，然後他們用新的人才重複這個過程。去年年底，NXT 核心明星 Trick Williams、Oba Femi 和 Je’Von Evans 離開後，情況就是如此。

基努卡弗將被定位為 WWE NXT 的頂級明星

此後幾週，喬·亨德利（Joe Hendry）和新晉 NXT 冠軍托尼·德安吉洛（Tony D’Angelo）等表演者都得到了提升，以幫助填補這些角色。嗯，看來另一位黑金明星即將大舉進軍。根據 BodySlam+ 報道，基努卡弗預計將在未來幾週和幾個月內獲得重大推動，並可能很快成為德安吉洛的第一位冠軍挑戰者。

在 WWE Evolve 取得統治地位後，卡弗於一月份重返 NXT 品牌並繼續他的恐怖統治。成為目前名單上最可怕的高跟鞋之一。隨著他繼續成為 NXT 頂級明星，獲得冠軍機會將符合該品牌最近為他講述的故事。

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傑伊烏索似乎並不特別關心粉絲對他個人生活的猜測。在 Natalya 發布的一張照片瘋傳後，Uso 在他的 Instagram Stories 上回應了圍繞他和 NXT 明星 Jaida Parker 的約會謠言，並寫道“是的，她是我的”。與此同時，勇敢的心樂隊的“Oochie Wally”的器樂版本在後台播放。

卡梅隆·海斯 (Carmelo Hayes) 表达了他对 WWE NXT 粉丝的看法，称那些帮助他成为该品牌顶级明星之一的粉丝最终并不忠于任何人。

海耶斯在《Battleground》播客上发表讲话，回顾了 2021 年至 2024 年他在 NXT 的时光，并对观众的本质以及在这种环境中生存所需的条件给出了未经过滤的看法。

海耶斯说：“即使到今天，那群人仍然软弱无力。” “他们从来都不是你的。他们是当下炙手可热的人，我知道这一点，我也理解这一点，我什至和特里克·威廉姆斯一起做过宣传片，就好像他们对你的爱在上升，然后当轮到下一个人时，他们会攻击你，这就是事实。那群人，他们会成就你，但也会摧毁你。”

在 NXT 竞选期间，Hayes 打造了该品牌近期历史上最精彩的履历之一。他在 2021 年赢得了 NXT 突破锦标赛，夺得了 NXT 轻量级冠军——成为该冠军的最终持有者——并在赢得 NXT 冠军之前两次夺得 NXT 北美冠军。尽管取得了如此大的成功，海耶斯始终清楚地看到观众的忠诚度。

对特里克·威廉姆斯的提及尤其值得注意，并且将被 NXT 的长期粉丝所记住。海耶斯和威廉姆斯在 NXT 运营期间关系密切，他们的合作关系和最终的竞争成为该品牌最好的故事情节之一。海耶斯亲眼目睹了 NXT 观众情绪的转变，这让他了解观众能够多快地继续前进。

自 2024 年 4 月以来，海耶斯一直作为 SmackDown 品牌的成员出现在主力阵容中。他最近完成了美国冠军的争夺。对于威廉姆斯来说，他一直是 SmackDown 名单上的亮点，并将在摔跤狂热大赛上挑战萨米·扎恩 (Sami Zayn) 争夺美国冠军头衔。

Carmelo Hayes has spoken out about WWE NXT fans, saying that the crowd that helped make him one of the brand’s top stars is ultimately loyal to no one.

Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Hayes reflected on his time in NXT from 2021 to 2024 and gave an unfiltered perspective on the nature of that audience and what it takes to survive in that environment.

“That crowd is still the same today,” Hayes said. “They’re never yours. They’re hot right now, and I knew it and I understood it and it was one of those things where I even did a promo with Trick Williams where it’s like they love you and then when the next guy’s turn comes, they’ll switch on you, and it’s true. That crowd, they’ll build you up but they’ll also break you down.”

During his NXT run, Hayes built one of the most decorated resumes in the recent history of the brand. He won the NXT Breakout Tournament in 2021, captured the NXT Cruiserweight Championship – becoming the last holder of that title – and held the NXT North American Championship twice before winning the NXT Championship. Despite that level of success, Hayes was clear-eyed about crowd loyalty throughout.

The reference to Trick Williams is particularly notable and will be remembered by longtime NXT fans. Hayes and Williams were closely associated during their NXT run, with their partnership and eventual rivalry becoming one of the brand’s best storylines. Hayes saw firsthand how the NXT crowd changed their love, which gave him an understanding of how quickly audiences can move on.

Hayes has been on the main roster as a member of the SmackDown brand since April 2024. He recently completed a run as United States champion. As for Williams, he has been a bright spot on the SmackDown roster and will challenge Sami Zayn for the US Title at WrestleMania.

前 WWE 超级巨星 Shotzi Blackheart 已向公众寻求帮助，以寻找她失踪的弟弟 Deano。这位前主力选手和 NXT 明星在社交媒体上分享了关于她的兄弟姐妹在旧金山地区下落的令人痛苦的最新消息。

帖子称，迪诺的车辆被发现在梅森堡和滨海区附近坠毁，但自从离开现场后就再也没有出现过。情况尤其严峻，因为肖茨指出，她的兄弟目前正在接受透析治疗，可能处于混乱或迷失方向的状态。

该地区的监控录像证实迪亚诺在碰撞后离开了车辆，但他目前的位置和身体状况仍然未知。肖茨指出，由于他持续的医疗需求，他“不正常”，这引起了家人对他当前安全的担忧。

“我的兄弟迪诺失踪了。他的汽车被发现在旧金山梅森堡/滨海区附近坠毁，监控录像显示他随后离开了车辆。他可能感到困惑或迷失了方向。他目前正在接受透析，所以我们非常担心他的安全，”肖茨分享道。

迪诺的家人要求旧金山地区任何了解迪诺下落信息的人立即与当局联系。具体来说，该帖子指示个人拨打 415-561-5146 联系史密斯侦探。肖茨鼓励她的追随者和摔跤界广泛分享信息，以增加安全康复的机会。

自该帖子发布以来，WWE、AEW 和独立摔跤界的摔跤界成员纷纷通过分享她的信息来支持 Shotzi。离开 WWE 后，她曾参与过多次不同的晋升活动，包括作为 MLW 名单中的一员获得成功，并成为女子组中的顶尖艺人之一。

Former WWE Superstar Shotzi Blackheart has reached out to the public for help locating his missing brother, Dino. The former main roster and NXT star took to social media to share a distressing update regarding his sibling’s whereabouts in the San Francisco area.

According to the post, Dino’s vehicle was found crashed near Fort Mason and the Marina district, but he has not been seen since driving away from the scene. The situation is especially serious because Shotzi said her brother is currently undergoing dialysis treatment and may be confused or disoriented.

Security footage from the area confirmed that Dino exited the vehicle after the collision, but his current location and physical condition remain unknown. Shotzi said he is “not himself” due to his ongoing medical needs, increasing the family’s concern for his immediate safety.

“My brother Dino is missing. His car was found crashed near Fort Mason/Marina District – San Francisco, and security footage shows him later walking away from the vehicle. He may be confused or disoriented. He is currently undergoing dialysis and is not himself, so we are very concerned for his safety,” Shotzi shared.

The family is requesting that anyone in the San Francisco area with information regarding Dino’s whereabouts contact authorities immediately. Specifically, the post directs individuals to reach Detective Smith at 415-561-5146. Shotzi encouraged his followers and the wrestling community to share the information widely to increase the chances of safe recovery.

Since the post was published, members of the wrestling world from WWE, AEW and the independent circuit have rallied to support Shotzi by sharing his message. Following her departure from WWE, she has worked for several different promotions, including finding success as a member of the MLW roster and being one of the top acts in their women’s division.

前 WWE NXT 明星吉吉·多林（Gigi Dolin）去年從公司解約後，正試圖在獨立摔跤界重建自己的價值。其中包括參加一些非常硬核的跨性別比賽。

多林在職業生涯的早期就在獨立舞台上贏得了良好的聲譽。這就是她在 2021 年與 WWE 簽訂發展合同的原因。在公司的四年裡，這位曾經被稱為 Priscilla Kelly 的摔跤手成為了粉絲的最愛，並與 Jacy Jayne 一起兩次獲得 NXT 女子雙打冠軍。

然而，雖然她有支持者，但她並沒有按照決策者所期望的方式發展，並且她在五月份的一輪名單削減中名列前茅。為了在行業第一的公司之外謀得一席之地，多林回歸了自己的本源，用回了原來的名字，參加了一些非常激烈的比賽。

最新的例子出現在快速發展的獨立公司 Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) 最近的一次活動中。這位曾經的 WWE 天才最近與公司明星阿蒂克斯·科加爾 (Atticus Cogar) 進行了一場比賽，後者實際上是一名男性摔跤手。

在 WWE 和 AEW 之外，男性與女性的跨性別比賽更為常見，這對摔跤手在最近的衝突中互相撕扯。其中包括該公司本週發布的一段視頻，視頻中Cogar用叉子戳這位NXT老將的額頭。

這個時刻可以從上面看到，這不適合膽小的人，因為科加爾用烤串從多蘭那裡得到了一些“顏色”。然而，僅僅一些放血還不足以結束。他接著抓起一把木樁，把它們插進她頭部的兩側。創建看起來像恐怖電影中的視覺效果。

對於不熟悉該公司的粉絲來說，這是一個瘋狂的時刻。然而，GCW 通過挑戰極限並傾向於比 WWE 或 TNA 等公司在比賽中展示的更硬核動作來發展自己的品牌

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據報導，WWE正在將前NXT冠軍奧巴·費米安排在一個龐大的主力名單中，高級官員認為他是包括特里克·威廉姆斯和傑·馮·埃文斯在內的才華橫溢的新一屆徵召者中的佼佼者。

戴夫·梅爾澤 (Dave Meltzer) 在《摔跤觀察家》時事通訊中撰文指出，WWE 中的“高層”相信費米（通常被稱為“統治者”）注定會成為“所有人中最重要的主要選手”。

Femi 代表 NXT 品牌的最後一次亮相是在 1 月 6 日的新年邪惡活動中，他在比賽中擊敗了 TNA X 分區冠軍 Leon Slater，成功衛冕 NXT 冠軍。

勝利之後，費米做出了令人震驚的決定，將冠軍頭銜留在了擂台中央，這標誌著他在發展領域的統治地位的結束。報導稱，此舉是主要創意人員特別要求的，以確保費米在正式亮相之前不會遭受損失。

目前的內部計劃表明，費米被指定為 Monday Night Raw 品牌，預計他將在該品牌中“接近榜首”首次亮相。除了他最初的到來之外，費米已經有一個創意宣傳，他將在拉斯維加斯摔跤狂熱大賽 42 的周末期間出現在顯著位置。

一些大膽的預測甚至表明，費米可能是今年晚些時候在 SummerSlam 上讓布洛克·萊斯納 (Brock Lesnar) 退休的候選人，這與萊斯納 (Lesnar) 在 2000 年代初期火箭般登上行業頂峰的經歷類似。