fightful

More on NXT call up pitches, methods of call ups, Main Event, more

Added 2022-12-12 01:39:31 +0000 UTC

There have been pitches for numerous talent to be called up to the WWE main roster, Fightful Select has been told that there have been pitches for several NXT talent.

Since the return to live crowds last year, NXT talent has regularly worked dark matches or on Main Event to help evaluate them. One NXT source indicated to us that WWE higher ups feel it gives them a more accurate reflection of how a talent would immediately connect with a main roster audience, since they're largely working in front of the same few hundred people on weekly NXT TV.

It was reported recently that Cameron Grimes was considered for an NXT call up, but hasn't appeared yet. Fightful Select spoke with several WWE staff who considered Grimes a natural fit, with one noting that he's been working television for over five years straight and has great familiarity with producer Shane Helms, who does work on Raw & Smackdown.

In addition, we've heard Von Wagner's name mentioned as someone who has been pitched for a possible call up in the past. We haven't heard that definitively will happen, but the company did already get several looks at him on Main Event, and he was briefly slated for a call up last year. We're told that there will be a more slow and steady flow of NXT talent brought up to the main roster moving forward, and to expect less years-long evaluation periods in NXT.

It was reiterated to us that appearing on Main Event doesn't mean that there's been a pitch for a call-up or plans for one. Instead WWE is trying to get looks at talent on the road outside of the auspices of the Performance Center. Several NXT talent have told us they viewed getting looks on Main Event as a reward.