An NXT championship isn’t a guarantee of a main roster call-up, but one former holder still sees that future, and another is primed to go.
Ahead of Halloween Havoc on October 31, Tony D’Angelo seeks to become a two-time NXT Champion as he faces Grayson Waller.
For D’Angelo, it would mark a continuation of a tenure that has seen him as the first NXT Grand Slam Champion, despite speculation of a main roster call-up.
D’Angelo would comment on a potential call-up in a recent interview, while a current champion is increasingly seemingly ready to jump to Raw or SmackDown:
The main roster call-up that wasn’t
Since signing with WWE in 2021, Tony D’Angelo has evolved as a star on NXT and previously commented on a potential main roster call-up, something that has been speculated for him previously, saying:
“So I need to continue my growth, continue my progression, so when that time comes I’m also prepared for that.”
More recently, speaking to PW Insider, D’Angelo would reiterate that progression plays its part, but that the timeline isn’t written in stone for any star, stating:
“Look, I think waiting is, everybody has a different timeline. So I’m not gonna sit here, I was stressing for a little bit, but I’m not, it is what it is. Why stress out every day on something that you can’t really control.
“NXT has been good to me, Shawn, Johnny, Bloom, like all these people have been real good to me, so whatever I can do to help, I’ll do that, but of course I want to get to the main roster, like that’s always been a goal since I got here.”
D’Angelo would go on to say that he isn’t going to dwell on questions that he can’t get an answer to, while noting, “whatever happens, happens.”
The NXT North American Champion may be primed to go
While D’Angelo may be working on his progression in preparation for a move, other NXT stars have been called up to the main roster and its a pattern that is going to continue.
For Jackson Drake, it feels like the NXT North American Champion is being primed to make the move to Raw or SmackDown.
Signed to a WWE ID deal in November 2024, Drake is one of a limited number of success stories for the development program, alongside his Vanity Project teammates Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes, all moving to more traditional contracts.
The youngest star to have held the NXT North American Championship, the 23-year-old may be under sixty days into his title reign, but has continually shown the in-ring ability, charisma and confidence that wouldn’t look out of place on Raw and SmackDown.
A real-life friendship with Je’Von Evans would bring a baked-in story, whether rivals or allies, should Jackson Drake land on WWE Raw.
‘Everybody has a different timeline’
While there may not be a timeline for a main roster call-up, it has previously been noted that NXT stars have a six-month evaluation period that focuses on noticeable improvement or a risk of being released.
There’s little doubt that Tony D’Angelo has shown that improvement, embracing a new persona and demonstrating his in-ring ability following his hiatus. The same is true for Jackson Drake, who has consistently entertained, although it may be a step up for his matches to not involve interference (particularly in the recent title defense in which Robert Stone made it clear that he wanted no interference).
D’Angelo and Drake are among a whole wealth of NXT stars who are moving in the right direction for a bright main roster future, even if that moment may come suddenly.
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