Former WWE Stars To Re-Sign With NXT

NXT has produced a who’s who of top WWE stars since Triple H’s black & gold era of the brand first began over a decade ago.

While a majority of the company’s top current names passed through NXT on their way to superstardom, there is also a great deal of former NXT greats that have instead left WWE and found success elsewhere.

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

6. Mustafa Ali

Two years on from his release from the company in 2023, Mustafa Ali made his return to the company via the NXT & TNA partnership in October.

Losing to Ethan Page after an excellent NXT North American Championship bout, Ali has yet to appear on WWE again since.

However, with his contract reportedly set to expire at the end of the year, perhaps WWE could look to re-sign him on a full-time basis?

Certainly someone with a lot of unfinished business in WWE and untapped potential, Ali could become a top star for NXT or even the main roster in 2026.

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5. Cedric Alexander

Another TNA Wrestling star that could soon be available is Cedric Alexander.

The former WWE Cruiserweight and Raw Tag Team Champion has been gone from the company since February when he was released from his contract, and has since moved on to TNA where he has featured regularly on their programming.

It was reported that Alexander’s TNA deal was set to expire ahead of October’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view, however, he has continued to appear for the company – potentially suggesting a new short-term deal has been agreed.

While there are always going to be links to joining AEW and The Hurt Syndicate, perhaps WWE could be the more likely landing spot if Alexander continues to impress in partner promotion TNA.

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4. Killer Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux

One of the most talked about WWE departures in 2025 was that of former NXT Champion Karrion Kross and his wife Scarlett.

After gaining massive popularity throughout the year and competing in high profile matches against Sami Zayn at Night of Champions and SummerSlam, Kross and Scarlett announced their exits from the company in August, with their respective contracts expiring.

Since then, Kross and Scarlett have returned to the indies, making appearances for the likes of GCW, House of Glory and MLW.

While there hasn’t been any indication that a WWE return is in the works, Kross & Scarlett’s exits are fresh enough that WWE could capitalize and attempt to turn the entire thing into an elaborate return storyline.

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3. Tyler Breeze

Tyler Breeze is in a peculiar situation, as he is an active wrestler that is signed to WWE, but not as an in-ring performer.

Instead working for Xavier Woods’ Up Up Down Down YouTube Channel and as a writer in NXT, Breeze has made no secret that he’d be open to returning to a WWE ring full-time if the company wants him.

While he would certainly be capable of doing so, what may be more likely is Breeze becoming a regular on NXT rather than Raw or SmackDown, much like fellow veteran Shawn Spears has been since re-signing with the company.

Regardless of the role, many nostalgic NXT black & gold era fans would love to see Tyler back on Tuesday nights in some capacity.

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2. Big Bill

On the topic of stars who deserve another shot at WWE, AEW’s Big Bill is someone who certainly fits that bill.

Bill has established himself as one of the best big men in the company, capable of delivering entertaining promos and matches. However, Bill has found little opportunity to truly break out as singles star, instead spending most of his time in the AEW tag team division.

While there is no word on his AEW deal expiring soon, or whether he himself is considering his options, at 39, he still has time to find success in WWE before he reaches his twilight years.

With former tag team partners Ricky Saints and potentially soon Chris Jericho back in WWE, Bill could resume a tag team partnership or return as a singles star on his own.

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1. The IInspiration

Making their name as The IIconics during the NXT black & gold era, WWE fans have had the treat of seeing Jess McKay & Cassie Lee back in their old stomping grounds of NXT this year via the NXT and TNA partnership.

Now competing as The IInspiration, Lee and McKay have found great success in TNA – currently enjoying their second reign as TNA Knockout’s Tag Team Champions.

However, much like Cedric Alexander it had been reported that Lee and McKay’s TNA contracts were set to expire around Bound for Glory, with no word on a new deal being signed yet.

While it seems likelier that they remain in TNA, perhaps WWE could look to bring The IIconics back to further strengthen their already stacked women’s tag team division.

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