Both within WWE and outside it, there are countless names who passed through NXT’s doors throughout the brand’s 15 year existence.
From legends who departed WWE for AEW, to others more recently released from the company – there are many former NXT Champions who could potentially make a return to the company.
Here are eight former NXT Champions that could re-sign with WWE.
8. Paige
Having been crowned the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion back in 2013, Paige would go on to have a storied career in WWE.
However after being forced into an early retirement due to an injury sustained in 2017, she spent much of her WWE tenure in non-wrestling roles.
A return to the ring did come however in 2022, but with AEW and not WWE – with the English star going on to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In London 2023.
She would eventually depart AEW in March to much fan speculation regarding a potential WWE return. Having recently commented that she would be open to a potential return to her Paige character in the future – fans will keep holding out hope for a potential Royal Rumble surprise in 2026!
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7. Samoa Joe
Former NXT Champion Samoa Joe entered WWE’s developmental as a legend of both ROH and TNA Wrestling, and only added to his reputation during his six years in the company (across two spells).
After being released by WWE for the second time in 2021, Joe went on to sign with AEW where he has since captured the AEW World Championship, World Trios Championship and two TNT Championships.
Outside of the ring, Joe has also taken on major Hollywood roles including playing Sweet Tooth in the Peacock series adaptation of the video game Twisted Metal.
Able to come in for limited appearances and make a major impact before departing again for other projects, WWE could re-sign Samoa Joe in order to continue to build their bench of high profile names to draw from when needed – with Triple H also potentially keen to add Joe’s experience to his backstage staff either on the main roster or back in NXT.
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6. Karrion Kross
A former two-time NXT Champion, Karrion Kross career failed to truly launch during either of his two runs on the main roster – that is until just before his departure from the company this past weekend.
By all indications, Karrion Kross as well as real life wife Scarlett have legitimately departed WWE when their contracts expired on August 10.
With no mention of him on WWE Raw, it is possible that two things can be true at once – both his previous contract did expire and WWE could be working on re-signing him for a surprise return later.
While fans wait and see what happens next with Karrion Kross – if the interest is still high, he could absolutely make a return to WWE in the near future, although one would imagine there will be plenty of interest in his signature if he and Scarlett are in fact free agents.
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5. Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler)
After being released by WWE in September 2023, Nic Nemeth debuted in TNA Wrestling and has since earned championship gold in the now WWE partner promotion.
Capturing the TNA Wrestling World Championship, as well as the TNA World Tag Team Championship alongside his brother Ryan Nemeth, it would make complete sense to see him return to WWE in the future.
With TNA Wrestling’s on-going partnership with NXT, perhaps an appearance from Nic Nemeth could happen sooner rather than later.
A likely future WWE Hall of Famer, Nemeth still has a lot to contribute both in the ring and behind the scenes.
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4. Mercedes Mone
After both Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE in 2022, the pair would go on to make major moves elsewhere in professional wrestling.
While Naomi went on to TNA Wrestling before an eventual return to WWE – Banks on the other hand completely rebranded herself in Japan and later All Elite Wrestling.
Having gone on to be a dominant champion in promotions throughout the world, Mercedes Mone continues to hold the AEW TBS Championship.
However, with so many unfinished stories – it is hard to imagine a future that doesn’t involve Mercedes Mone somehow returning “home” to WWE eventually.
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3. Fabian Aichner (Giovanni Vinci)
While he was certainly an NXT Tag Team Champion, Fabian Aichner (later re-branded as Giovanni Vinci) had an interesting path on the main roster.
Seemingly left as the third-wheel in Imperium, he was in the process of building his new character in NXT when he then joined the main roster and again aligned with Imperium.
Later, cast aside by the group, the star would end up being released from WWE in February 2025 after a short-lived return to his prior NXT gimmick.
Given his ability to portray different characters, impressive physique and athleticism – it would seem that there is still a lot of upside left in Aichner’s career.
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2. Buddy Matthews
While Buddy Murphy was an NXT Tag Team Champion alongside Wesley Blake, he would also become a tag team champion on the main roster before his release from the company in June 2021.
Making his debut in AEW as Buddy Matthews shortly thereafter, the talented star would go on to be a cornerstone of the threatening stable House of Black which also featured WWE alum Aleister Black as well as Brody King and Julia Hart.
While it was reported last year that Matthews had re-signed with AEW, the duration of the deal is unclear.
With heavy speculation towards a WWE return there before he re-signed with AEW, expect the same to happen again whenever his deal is due to expire.
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1. Duke Hudson
Duke Hudson had an eight year career in WWE, appearing on the main roster in 2020 as Brendan Vink before re-emerging in NXT as his more well remembered Duke Hudson character.
Having been an NXT Tag Team Champion in Chase U – Hudson has remained active since departing WWE.
Releasing some compelling social media vignettes teasing his return to independent wrestling, Hudson has gone on to appear in Booker T’s promotion Reality of Wrestling as well as over WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas for Pandemonium Pro Wrestling.
With great character work and impressive athletic skills, the fan favorite NXT alum would be a solid re-signing for WWE.
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