With the dust settled on WWE WrestleMania 41, there could very likely still be surprise debuts for fans coming at Backlash 2025.
From NXT call-ups to new signings, there are plenty of potential new arrivals on the horizon.
Here are six potential debuts that could take place at WWE Backlash 2025.
6. Ricky Saints
While he still has a few details left to be sorted out on NXT – such as still reigning as NXT North American Champion – There’s every chance Ricky Saints could head to the main roster sooner rather than later.
Already having been mentioned on-screen as well regarded by both CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, Saints has a couple routes to go if he were to be brought into the fold as a babyface.
Conversely, Saints could definitely make a splash at Backlash as being brought in as the latest member of Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman’s faction to launch him as a heel.
Whether his call-up comes through an integration into a story at Backlash or the WWE Draft, Saints seems poised to do big things this coming year.
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5. ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page
Another former AEW star who migrated to NXT that seems more than ready for the WWE main roster is ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page.
His interesting character coupled with his solid in-ring work make Page someone who could arrive as a new rival for the likes of Jey Uso or CM Punk, the latter of whom he already has history with.
With his parting comments to Ricky Saints on NXT being that he would see him again, it would be great to see Page and Saints continue their feud on the main roster.
Whoever Saints may pop up to support at Backlash, Page could be there to foil the plans.
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4. Mariah May
The buzz around former AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May continues.
After disappearing from AEW TV after the conclusion of her storyline with ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm, called the Hollywood Ending at AEW Revolution, speculation began about the reason for May’s absence.
Noting her two-year contract with Tony Khan’s company was signed in August 2023 despite May not making her first appearance until November, reports began swirling that she was considering WWE – and WWE was very interested in signing her.
While it may be a stretch to see Mariah May as early as Backlash – if or when she does make her debut in WWE – it will be a major moment.
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3. HOOK
While HOOK has reportedly signed on to have famed wrestling agent Barry Bloom representing him regarding contract negotiations – despite Bloom’s AEW client list including The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay – he could still sign with WWE.
Recently being written off of television, HOOK was replaced by Powerhouse Hobbs in The Opps faction (with Katsuyori Shibata and Samoa Joe) with the trio capturing the AEW Trios Championship together.
Although he is referenced on AEW TV as being “under observation” after an off-screen attack, it’s not impossible that he pops up in WWE.
Making a surprise debut in WWE would be a massive surprise as, unlike Mariah May, there haven’t been any reports to suggest this actually might be happening.
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2. Hikuleo
In July 2024, it was confirmed that former NJPW Strong Tag Team Champion Hikuleo had signed with WWE. Later it was reported that Hikuleo was more likely to debut in NXT before heading to the main roster.
However, he has yet to appear and now with the new Bloodline at a critical tipping point on the main roster, perhaps he needs to make his arrival at Backlash 2025.
The son of Haku is billed at being 6’8″ and over 260 pounds which would make him the ideal surprise enforcer for the United States Champion, Jacob Fatu.
With Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu’s relationship clearly on the rocks, it could be time for Fatu to build his own faction around him – starting with Hikuleo.
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1. Tony D’Angelo
An NXT star that seems to headed for a main roster call-up that knows a thing or two about loyalty is Tony D’Angelo.
With D’Angelo having led the D’Angelo Family faction in NXT, it seems that he is on his way out of the Performance Center and headed for the main roster.
Making his debut at Backlash 2025, Tony D could immediately establish himself into a storyline rather than arriving via the WWE Draft.
Particularly since it seems as though he’s set to be written off of NXT in an interesting way, it would be great to see Tony D’Angelo arrive with an explanation that had continuity.
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