WWE star to join DarkState faction in NXT: Who will take Saquon Shugars’ place in the group?

WWE

Back in May on WWE NXT, DarkState’s Dion Lennox, Osiris griffin and Cutler James made the surprising decision to remove Saquon Shugars from the group in violent fashion.

Since then, the group have operated as a trio rather than find a replacement for Shugars, however, in order for them to collectively reach the top of NXT once again, they may eventually decide to change course and revert back to their original vision.

Here are three WWE stars who could potentially join Darkstate as the group’s new fourth man.

Shido Ash

Following an extensive judo career – which saw him represent Canada at the 2020 Olympic Games, win gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and win five Pan American Championships – Shady Elnahas arrived in WWE in 2025, later being renamed Shido Ash.

Ash is on his way up the WWE ladder, being seen in the latest season of WWE LFG and even being announced for the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic alongside Viktor Zanov.

The real-life boyfriend of Tiffany Stratton has yet to break out in NXT, but one way WWE could establish him on Tuesday nights is by having him align with DarkState.

Ash has legitimacy through his judo background, and would slot right in alongside the other heavyweights within DarkState if WWE wanted to make the group a four person faction once again.

Harlem Lewis

Perhaps the next star to make their way from Evolve to NXT is the reigning Evolve Men’s Champion Harlem Lewis.

Lewis has entered the third month of his title reign, during which he defeated DarkState’s Cutler James on WWE Evolve back in July.

The 26-year-old may already be on the radar of WWE NXT fans, but having him re-debut on TV as DarkState’s fourth man would immediately increase his chances of earning a prominent spot on TV.

With Cutler James and Osiris Griffin pursuing tag gold, Lewis can bring the Evolve Championship to the group, while Dion Lennox targets the NXT North American, or NXT Championship.

Elijah Holyfield

One name anticipated to be breaking away from WWE LFG and Evolve soon is Eljah Holyfield.

The son of legendary former Heavyweight Champion boxer Evander Holyfield, Elijah possesses all the physical tools to achieve major success in WWE, and appears to be on his way towards his big break in AAA.

The 28-year-old was told by Shawn Michaels that he would be heading to Mexico during the latest season of WWE LFG, however, that has yet to materialize. While it still certainly could, there is also the chance that WWE change their minds and move Holyfield to NXT instead.

Much like Shido Ash, Holyfield will bring a legitimate threat that is required for a new member of DarkState, and he could help turn the group back into being the most feared faction in NXT.

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• Darkstate
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