Former NXT Stars To Return To WWE

WWE

Looking at the current free agency market, there are several former NXT stars who can make their way back to the WWE roster in the near future.

Over the past few years, there are quite a few names who were previously on the NXT brand that might re-sign with the company once again.

From former champions to recently released stars, WWE could look to bring back past names that will fill voids left behind by all of the departures as of late.

Here are seven former NXT stars to potentially return to WWE.

7. Shayna Baszler

In May 2025, Shayna Baszler was released from WWE after an eight-year run with the promotion.

“The Queen of Spades” is someone who has helped WWE in many different ways, whether it be as an in-ring competitor or behind-the-scenes.

Since leaving WWE last year, the former two-time NXT Women’s Champion has made several appearances back in the company in backstage segments.

Considering her close ties to the company since her exit, it makes sense if Shayna Baszler decides to make a return to WWE in the not-so-distant future.

6. Baron Corbin (Bishop Dyer)

Leaving WWE after his contract expired in November 2024, Baron Corbin ended his 12-year run with the company.

Since his departure from WWE, Corbin has reinvented himself and is now known as Bishop Dyer.

Working for a variety of promotions including Major League Wrestling and Maple Leaf Pro, Dyer has proven himself as a more than capable in-ring performer and character.

Dyer could eventually make his return to WWE where he can be placed in a more prominent role than he has been able to fill over his final months with the company during his first stint.

5. Donovan Dijak

Speaking of Bishop Dyer, he has formed a solid partnership with Donovan Dijak in Major League Wrestling.

Known as The Skyscrapers, Dijak and Dyer have become the MLW World Tag Team Champions.

After leaving WWE in 2024, Dijak has traveled the world and established himself as someone who can be a reliable in-ring worker anywhere he goes.

Dijak re-signing with WWE could be interesting and finally see him get the main roster callup that eluded him during his first run.

4. Cora Jade (Elayna Black)

Another former NXT star who has proven herself time and time again in multiple promotions is Cora Jade.

Jade, now known as Elayna Black, recently signed with TNA Wrestling where she has become one of the company’s featured talents in the Knockouts division.

At just 25 years old, Black is someone who has her whole entire career ahead of her and could become a bigger star in the industry.

Black becoming Cora Jade again and re-signing with WWE feels almost inevitable thanks to how she left the company in 2025.

3. Karrion Kross & Scarlett

One of the most noteworthy departures from WWE as of late has to be Karrion Kross and Scarlett.

Just when it looked like he was breaking out and elevated to the next level, Kross’ WWE contract expired after months of negotiations for a new deal.

After leaving WWE in 2025, Kross and Scarlett have returned to the independent scene where they are a significant act wherever they go.

With both stars recently stating that they’d be open to exploring a potential return, Kross and Scarlett returning to WWE would be intriguing to see if they can be elevated into the main event picture based on their rise up the ranks towards their last run with the company.

2. Aleister Black & Zelina

Re-signing with WWE in April 2025, Aleister Black looked poised to be positioned as a major star on Friday Night SmackDown.

Black then aligned himself with his real life wife Zelina Vega to become a prominent duo on the blue brand.

However, Black and Zelina were released from WWE as part of their most recent mass talent cuts on April 24.

While they recently exited the company, Black and Zelina could make an immediate return where they come back to be a noteworthy act on the main roster moving forward.

1. Dakota Kai (Charlie)

In May 2025, Dakota Kai had to be the most surprising name released from WWE during their mass talent cuts.

With an eight-year run with the promotion, Kai was considered one of the most underrated in-ring performers in the WWE women’s division.

Since her departure from WWE, Kai, now known as Charlie, has only competed inside the squared circle on two occasions, for Pro Wrestling EVE and House of Glory.

Showing that she has little to no ring rust, Charlie could make her way back into the fold for WWE as Dakota Kai once more and bolster the company’s women’s division following several departures in recent weeks and months.

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