Published: 1 hour ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 9 hours ago by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
With the return of Grayson Waller to NXT, he may not be the only main roster star making that move as the end of 2026 approaches.
Grayson Waller returned to NXT on July 28, making his feelings about his time on the main roster clear while being critical of the men’s roster on the Tuesday night show.
He isn’t the only main roster star to have made the move to NXT, with Nattie having been a feature of the roster since June, leading Karmen Petrovic, Layla Diggs & Nikkita Lyons.
With opportunities to shine and shape the stars of the future in NXT, more main roster names could make the move:
Fraxiom
The team of Nathan Frazer and Axiom returned to NXT for the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating Osiris Griffin and Cutler James of DarkState.
After the match, Frazer hinted that things hadn’t been as good as they could have been on the main roster, saying:
“It has been a tough transition going up there. Down here, we were kind of like the big fish in a small pond, per se. Going up there, to shark-infested waters, it’s almost like we’re learning to swim again.”
Axiom would take exception to the suggestion, becoming the hothead that Frazer usually is, although things are apparently fine between the tag team.
Two-time NXT Tag Team Champions, Fraxiom were called up to the main roster in April 2025, and there is certainly an argument to be made that their talents would be better showcased on the Tuesday night show and over in AAA, somewhere that Axiom has become familiar with this year.
Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
Known on the main roster and over in AAA as Rayo Americano & Bravo Americano, Los Americanos recently competed in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, losing to the team of Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno.
While Los Americanos continues to be a popular faction in its own right, there is an opportunity to exploit the talents of Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate for the benefit of the NXT roster. Both veterans of the professional wrestling business, Dunne and Bate have had their fair share of action since signing with WWE, with multiple championships between them. Dunne also has valuable experience through his ongoing role as a producer.
Bringing New Catch Republic to NXT would offer much to the roster with Dunne’s stripped-back style blending with Bate’s flair. It wouldn’t mean an end to Los Americanos, with many ways for them to still feature on NXT, as well as continuing their work on the main roster.
Jaida Parker
Having only just moved to the main roster, aligning with The 946 in their ongoing feud with The Bloodline, it’s unlikely that Jaida Parker would make a long-term move back to NXT, but she could serve a purpose there.
Under the leadership of Royce Keys, The 946 are a threat to The Bloodline and will no doubt want to expand their numbers to combat the dwindling resources at the disposal of Roman Reigns. What better way for The 946 to grow than by poaching stars from NXT.
Parker on a recruitment drive, dropping by just to see how things are going in her former stomping ground, only to leave with a few unidentified stars in the sort of car she recently drove into Jacob Fatu would be quite the statement.
It’s no longer a ‘demotion’
NXT may be WWE’s third brand, but there is an argument that a move from Raw or SmackDown isn’t a ‘demotion’ so much as a new way to work.
For experienced stars, it gives them new opponents, a chance to freshen up their presentation, and an opportunity to elevate newer names, readying them for that much-sought-after main roster run.
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