In a dramatic turn of events on the anniversary of his legendary father’s passing, Cody Rhodes made a poignant and powerful return to WWE NXT, the very brand that Dusty Rhodes helped shape. The American Nightmare faced off with current NXT Champion, Trick Williams, offering sage champion-to-champion advice before delivering a bombshell: Williams’s next challenger would be determined by a massive 25-man over-the-top battle royal on next week’s episode.
Under the watchful eye of NXT General Manager Ava, this battle royal promises to shake up the NXT landscape. Not only will it feature regular NXT competitors, but also a slew of mystery participants from various “different locker rooms.” Whether these surprise entrants hail from WWE’s main roster, TNA Wrestling, or another wrestling promotion remains a tantalizing mystery. The winner will earn a shot at Trick Williams’s NXT Championship, ensuring a clash of epic proportions.
Rhodes’s hint at potential “forbidden door” appearances comes hot on the heels of the rekindled partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling. This collaboration was recently showcased at the 2024 NXT Battleground event, where NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez successfully defended her title against TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. Despite Grace’s defeat, the interpromotional excitement is far from over. Fans eagerly anticipate more WWE-TNA crossovers, including the upcoming battle royal and Grace’s open challenge title defense at TNA’s Against All Odds on June 14.
Trick Williams himself is no stranger to high-stakes matches, having retained his NXT Championship at Battleground against WWE newcomer Ethan Page. With Rhodes stirring the pot, the NXT universe is buzzing with anticipation, ready for a showdown that promises to be as unpredictable as it is thrilling.
Stay tuned for next week’s NXT episode, where the ring will be packed, the stakes will be high, and the excitement will be off the charts!