Just when you thought “WWE NXT” couldn’t pack any more nostalgia, suddenly guitar noises. That’s right, folks—TNA’s newly acquired six-string philosopher Elijah, formerly known as Elias, Ezekiel, and at one point a hologram of himself, made a surprise return to the brand that birthed The Drifter gimmick. And like any good soap opera cameo, he showed up, stirred chaos, got eliminated, and probably left someone emotionally scarred.
The Setup:
Tuesday’s Battle Royal of 1,000 Storylines featured 25 men from WWE NXT, EVOLVE, and WWE’s new spinoff “LFG,” which either stands for “Legends & Future Greats” or “Lots of Flippy Guys.” On the line? A title shot at Oba Femi and the NXT Championship. In the ring? Everyone with a pulse, including Trick Williams, Timothy Thatcher (bringing 1940s wrestling energy), and a guy named Jasper Troy, who sounds like he owns a steakhouse.
Enter Elijah:
Cue the lights. Cue the crowd hum. Cue the strum. Elijah walked out with that signature smugness, plucking the guitar like it owed him money, and was immediately attacked by Ethan Page. You know what they say: you strum, you get swung.
Despite the early ambush, Elijah stuck around long enough to eliminate Trick Williams (with an assist from Joe Hendry doing whatever Joe Hendry does), continuing a TNA-NXT crossover that makes more sense than most streaming bundles. Sadly, the moment was fleeting—Shawn Spears promptly yeeted Elijah over the top rope like a TikTok trend past its prime.
The Post-WWE Recap Nobody Asked For (But We’re Doing Anyway):
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Debuted in NXT as The Drifter Elias Samson
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Became Elias, WWE’s answer to a wandering troubadour with elbow drops
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Transformed into Ezekiel, Elias’ kayfabe brother and noted liar
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Lost the 24/7 Title four times in 17 days
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Got powerbombed into creative purgatory by Kevin Owens
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Reappeared in TNA in 2024 as Elijah, with facial hair and dignity restored
So while his NXT encore was short-lived, it was a reminder that no matter how many times you change your name, a good pop and a better entrance theme are eternal.