Former NXT Champions To Re-Sign With WWE

Many former WWE NXT Champions have gone on to do big things on the main roster, while others instead ended up departing the company.

However, with the notable returns of stars like Aleister Black and Andrade in recent years – there are other former NXT Champions that could be poised to make a return someday too.

Here are six former NXT Champions to re-sign with WWE.

6. Adam Cole

One former NXT Champion (and North American Champion) who remains highly regarding among fans of the black and gold era is Adam Cole.

While he remains under AEW contract to 2027 per Tony Khan, any prospect of a Cole return to WWE might have to wait some time.

Plus, with his contract status also potentially becoming more complicated due to time out of action due to injury, there could be additional time on top of that.

Nevertheless, Cole arguably had the best run of his career in NXT alongside Undisputed Era stablemates Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish, so a return to the brand one day is something that WWE fans will hold out hope for, with Cole in particular having a lot to offer, even in a non-wrestling role further down the line.

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5. Paige (Saraya)

Becoming the inaugural winner of the NXT Women’s Championship back in 2013, it would be great to see Paige return to WWE.

While the NXT women’s division continues to host some of the best talent in the world, the in-ring return of Paige in NXT would be something both unexpected but also hugely gratifying to witness.

Bringing her career full circle, Paige could be introduced as either a mentor or a foil for the young upstarts on NXT – with stars on the roster vying for an opportunity to wrestle against the original trailblazer of the brand.

While Saraya remains booked and busy in her current roles in acting, modeling and podcasting – it would be great to see her in WWE again.

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4. Indi Hartwell

After being a part of several fan favorite storylines, former NXT Women’s Champion and Women’s Tag Team Champion Indi Hartwell was released from WWE in November 2024.

Hartwell has since gone on to compete in several notable indie matches – including against Mercedes Mone – before signing with TNA Wrestling.

Currently involved in a high profile feud with Tessa Blanchard, it seems Hartwell is poised to continue to do big things in TNA Wrestling.

Potentially able to make appearances in NXT due to TNA’s crossovers between the promotions, there is definitely a clear path for Hartwell to return to WWE one day.

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3. Nic Nemeth

Dolph Ziggler had a notable run in NXT back in 2022 – with the “Show-Off” capturing the NXT Championship and feuding with Bron Breakker.

He is currently in TNA wrestling under his real name Nic Nemeth, reigning as TNA World Tag Team Champion along with brother Ryan Nemeth.

Now that crossovers are possible given the partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling, perhaps fans will see the return of Ziggler/Nemeth on WWE TV in the near future.

With a notable history with John Cena, seeing Nic Nemeth take on modern day heel Cena would be quite surreal.

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2. Keith Lee

Although his AEW status remains up in the air, Keith Lee recently confirmed via social media that he is fine and that his return to the ring is not in his hands.

While he was severely misused under Vince McMahon’s creative, perhaps under a Triple H led regime Keith Lee could finally have the WWE run that fans have been fantasy booking for years.

Given his connection to audiences and memorable feuds in NXT, it would be amazing to finally see what a solid main roster run for Keith Lee could look like in WWE.

Since the returns to WWE of other big names from former NXT days such as Andrade and Aleister Black, fans continue to hope Keith Lee will follow suit.

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1. Shayna Baszler

While she hasn’t been gone from WWE very long, former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler could return to the brand at some point down the road.

While she had two memorable reigns as NXT Women’s Champion during her time in the black and gold, that success as a singles star failed to translate to the main roster, with her only gold being in the tag team division.

Perhaps still with singles feuds to settle, “The Queen of Spades” could find herself returning to the company once the dust has settled on her exit.

Whether it be via a crossover appearance back in NXT through somewhere like TNA, or actually re-signing with the company full-time, Baszler has a lot to offer and NXT feels like the right place for her.

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