There are several former NXT Champions that could very well be on their way back to the company, poised to re-sign with WWE.
From those who have recently departed WWE to others who have had a spell in AEW in the interim, there could definitely be some returns to WWE from the elite group of former NXT champs.
Here are six former NXT champions who could re-sign with WWE.
6. Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks)
After departing her former role in WWE as Sasha Banks, Mercedes Mone has gone on to make game changing moves.
The former NXT Women’s Champion won plenty of titles on the WWE main roster as well before leaving the company, re-appearing in competition in Japan and later AEW.
While Mone has gone on to be a dominant champion in promotions throughout the world, there could still be unfinished business in WWE – and she even said in an interview after she left WWE: “I know I’m gonna be back there one day.”
The return of Mercedes Mone to WWE could rival those of Cody Rhodes and CM Punk should she choose to re-sign in the future.
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5. Karrion Kross
A two-time NXT Champion, Karrion Kross’s first run on the WWE main roster was something of a disaster, and while he gained popularity in his second run, it came to an end this month as the company let his contract expire.
Despite fans wondering if his recent WWE exit was a storyline, it doesn’t appear to be that way.
While it remains to be seen if Karrion Kross & Scarlett end back up in WWE, fans continue to express their support as they return to the indies as Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux.
Kross has said that he is open to conversations and WWE is ultimately where they want to be.
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4. Paige
After being crowned the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion back in 2013, Paige went on to further acclaim in WWE.
However, after being forced into an early retirement due to an injury sustained in 2017, she spent the latter part of her WWE tenure in non-wrestling roles.
She would make an in-ring return in 2022 with AEW wrestling under her real first name Saraya, going on to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In London 2023.
Saraya would eventually depart AEW in March 2025 but has never ruled out a return to her former WWE Paige character.
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3. Samoa Joe
Former NXT Champion Samoa Joe entered WWE NXT as a legend of both ROH and TNA Wrestling, and only added to his reputation during his six years in WWE (across two spells).
After being released by WWE for the second time in 2021, Joe went on to sign with AEW where he has gone on to find further championship success, capturing the AEW World Championship, World Trios Championship and two TNT Championships.
Potentially looking for a future that includes more acting and less in-ring work, Joe has gone on to take on some big roles including playing Sweet Tooth in the Peacock series adaptation of the video game Twisted Metal.
With WWE continuing to feature special attraction stars that can make a major impact during relatively short runs in the company, a return from Samoa Joe would make total sense.
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2. Indi Hartwell
She is signed to TNA Wrestling now but fans continue to hold on to fond memories of Indi Hartwell during her time in NXT.
While she was both NXT Women’s Champion and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion with Candice LeRae, Hartwell’s main roster run didn’t end up being as acclaimed prior to her release in October 2024.
While Hartwell was recently revealed to be signed with TNA Wrestling, the partnership between TNA and WWE could allow for a surprise appearance by ‘Indi Wrestling.’
However, it would be great to see the dedicated talent re-sign with WWE officially one day in the future.
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1. Duke Hudson
Spending eight years in WWE, Brendan Vink would appear on the main roster in 2020 before re-emerging in NXT under his more well-remembered name, Duke Hudson.
Hudson captured NXT gold as a member of the Chase U tag team where he held the NXT Tag Team Championship once during his tenure in the company alongside Andre Chase
After being released, the Aussie put out several intriguing vignettes on social media ahead of his return to professional wrestling.
With solid character work, comedic timing and impressive athletic skills, the fan favorite NXT alum could prove to be a solid signee should he return to WWE in the future.
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