Former WWE Stars To Re-Sign With NXT

Over the past few years, there have been several former WWE stars who have gotten a fresh start by heading to NXT.

Whether it be Matt Cardona or Shawn Spears, these talents have reestablished themselves in the promotion through a sustained run or sporadic appearances on the NXT brand.

Looking at the free agency market and future stars that could become available, some former WWE stars could make their way to NXT and solidify themselves as contributors to Tuesday nights.

Here are seven former WWE stars to potentially re-sign with NXT.

7. Elayna Black (Cora Jade)

In 2026, Elayna Black signed with TNA Wrestling after several months on the free agency market.

After spending over four years with WWE NXT, Black left her Cora Jade persona behind and started to recement herself back in the wrestling world.

Since making her way to TNA, Black is trying to prove herself as someone that does not need the WWE bubble to shine.

Black’s TNA deal expires at the end of 2026, so she could easily make her return to NXT to redeem her last run and finally capture singles gold on the brand.

6. Xia Brookside

Another TNA Wrestling star who could become a free agent by the end of the year is Xia Brookside.

For four years, Brookside was part of the WWE roster, primarily featured on the NXT UK brand until it was disbanded.

Brookside has showcased a different side of herself on TNA where she has formed a well established tag team with Lei Ying Lee called The Angel Warriors.

After being able to be featured more and gain some much needed experience, Xia could join her father Robbie Brookside back in WWE with a renewed push on the proper NXT brand.

5. Dani Luna

From 2019 to 2022, Dani Luna was part of the WWE roster and mostly featured on the NXT UK brand.

Leaving the promotion when NXT UK disbanded, Luna went on to sign with TNA Wrestling and has really risen up the ranks.

Becoming a two-time TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion with Jody Threat as Spitfire, Luna made a name for herself and then turned heel upon the duo going their separate ways in 2025.

While it looked like she was on the rise, Luna decided to leave the company in 2026 and could make her way back to WWE for the NXT brand now that she is a free agent.

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4. Duke Hudson

In February 2025, Duke Hudson departed WWE after a six-year run with the company.

On the WWE NXT brand, Hudson had firmly solidified himself as a major part of the Chase U group, winning the NXT Tag Team Championships with Andre Chase.

With his size and underrated charisma, Hudson showcased himself to be someone who had a lot to offer.

While he left the company last year, Hudson has not signed with another promotion and could potentially make his way back to WWE, re-signing with NXT for a significant singles role this time around.

3. Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler signed with WWE in 2017 and immediately became a prominent star for the NXT brand.

The two-time NXT Women’s Champion went to the main roster a few years later and looked poised to become a top star for the company.

Despite multiple reigns with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and a huge push when she first got called up, “The Queen of Spades” was eventually released in May 2025.

Continuing to make sporadic appearances for WWE, Baszler could return to the NXT brand as an in-ring competitor sometime in the near future.

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2. Dakota Kai (Charlie)

Another WWE release from the slate of talent cuts in May 2025 was Dakota Kai.

Considered one of the more shocking names let go, Kai was always regarded as one of the most underrated and reliable in-ring performers in the WWE women’s division.

After nearly a year away from the wrestling business, Kai recently made her in-ring return as Charlie and had a standout match against Kris Statlander at the EVE; Wrestle Queendom VIII event.

Charlie becoming Dakota Kai once again and re-signing with WWE could see her make a comeback to the NXT brand where she really put her name on the map in the first place.

1. Paige

Another former WWE star who really gained the attention of the fans on the NXT brand is Paige.

Recognized as one of the first major female stars on the brand, Paige played a key role in the Women’s Revolution.

In March 2025, Paige, real name Saraya, ended her three-year stint with All Elite Wrestling and has since been away from the wrestling business.

Paige re-signing with WWE and becoming part of the NXT roster again would be fitting and bring a great deal of star power alongside the litany of up-and-coming stars on the brand.

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