Over the past few months, a number of big names have made the jump up to the WWE main roster, including Oba Femi, Trick Williams and Je’von Evans.
With a number of top stars now off the brand, we could see a number of new signings to the NXT roster to fill the now open spots.
Here are seven potential new WWE NXT free agent signings that could be announced soon.
7. Royce Keys
After making a big debut in the Royal Rumble 2026, it could be that Royce Keys is headed straight for NXT.
Impressing fans in Riyadh with his debut appearance in WWE, Keys could find himself joining the NXT roster full time in the coming weeks.
Keys could find himself at the right place at the right time to challenge the brand new NXT Champion — since NXT is set to host a ladder match on the February 3 edition of the show to crown a new champ after the former one, Oba Femi vacated the title.
Possibly set to tangle with old friend turned foe in AEW Ricky Saints or even join forces with his former tag team partner again, there are certainly some interesting storylines that could be ahead for Royce Keys.
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6. Janai Kai
An independent wrestling free agent that has been picking up momemtum as of late is Janai Kai.
After impressing at WWE star Bayley’s Lodestone event (offering free seminars to some of the best and brightest in women’s indie wrestling), there have been other notable in-ring appearances.
With experience in ROH, GCW and MLW — it could be that the next promotion to recruit the impressive star may be NXT.
Certainly able to add a brand new element to the NXT women’s division, Janai Kai could be a solid new addition.
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5. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marc Quen)
Still missing in action from AEW are Isiah Kassidy and Marc Quen, known together as the tag team Private Party.
While the pair could certainly make a big mark on the rebuilding NXT Tag Team division, it isn’t clear when they may become available.
With initial reports suggesting first over the summer and then early 2026 for the pair to become free agents, their contract status with AEW remains a mystery.
However, since they would be able to bring TV ready characters with a fun and fan interactive entrance to the show, hopefully there is an WWE NXT future for Private Party still possible.
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4. PJ Vasa
One WWE Evolve name that could make her way to NXT in the near future was former WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) contestant, Penina Tuilaepa.
Continuing her WWE journey after the series wrapped and now going by the ring name PJ Vasa, the rising star has continued to impress fans.
Appearing across Evolve as well as NXT house shows, it would seem to be only a matter of time before she makes a debut on NXT TV.
With her vicious in-ring and mic skills, it would seem ‘P-Nasty’ could be bringing her attitude and strikes to the NXT women’s division in 2026.
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3. Danhausen
In a case of another AEW fan favorite star that found himself benched for quite some time is Danhausen.
With the Very Nice, Very Evil character having been off of AEW or ROH TV for effectively two years at this point, he hasn’t been out of in-ring action as he’s continued to appear in indie matches worldwide.
With notably hilarious chemistry with the likes of current WWE NXT stars Ethan Page and Ricky Saints, Danhausen could be a great deal of fun just trolling the heels.
With latest reports noting that Danhausen may be free from his contractual obligations to AEW in February 2026, perhaps we might finally see the quirky character pop-up to cause havoc in NXT.
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2. EVIL
Another NJPW name that is seemingly set to depart from the promotion is former House of Torture faction leader, EVIL.
After an announcement from NJPW on January 25 that EVIL was set to depart the company, it may be that he is headed for NXT sooner rather than later.
With the recent defections from NJPW of Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors thought to have signed with AEW, there are still other top free agents that could arrive in WWE.
Other potential defectors from NJPW that have been recently revealed as departing the company include Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi and perhaps another departure who could be returning to NXT.
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1. Shane Haste
A notable name from NJPW that has recently been revealed as a free agent could end up finding himself returning to NXT is Shane Haste.
Confirming via his Twitter account on February 3 that he is in fact a free agent, the former NJPW star could certainly find himself joining NXT in the near future.
Perhaps best remembered by WWE fans for his tenure in NXT as both Shane Thorne and later, Slapjack — it could be that he is headed back to his former stomping grounds.
Certainly able to recreate a violent group of outsiders in NXT coming from recent departures from NJPW, there could be a brand new invasion angle brewing at the Performance Center.
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