Published: 3 seconds ago by Liam | Last Updated: 3 seconds ago by Liam
Liam has been reporting & analyzing wrestling news for over eight years, and is currently the Managing Editor at WrestleTalk.com. Immersed in wrestling for 18 years, he has over 11,000 published articles in addition to leading and overseeing WrestleTalk.com’s coverage.
WWE
A WWE star turned influential backstage name is returning to the ring in a different promotion for his first match since 2021.
In April 2020, WWE made headlines with a round of talent releases that the company attributed to budget cuts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the big stories when the releases happened was Drake Maverick, who took to social media with an incredibly emotional video that caught the attention of John Cena and others.
Maverick, who had been with WWE since the start of 2018, ended up returning to WWE off the back of this video and working in NXT for another year before being released once again.
A few months after that, now in early 2022, he was re-hired by WWE again – this time not as an active wrestler, but working as a member of the creative team and producer for NXT.
He’s been seen on WWE programming as recently as a few months ago during the LFG show that takes a behind the scenes look at the WWE developmental process.
Now, having had his last match in 2021, Maverick is returning to in-ring action.
Former WWE NXT Star Drake Maverick’s Return Opponent
PROGRESS WRESTLING, now owned by former WWE stars Nikki Storm (Nikki Cross) and Big Damo (Killian Dain), has announced that Maverick – returning to his pre-WWE name Rockstar Spud – will be in action on September 12.
Spud will face another former WWE name from NXT UK, Dave Mastiff as part of The Odyssey Tour at the Bournemouth O2 Academy.
PROGRESS announced:
Rockstar Spud returns to the ring!!
Spud personally requested his long time rival and friend, Dave Mastiff on his huge return before his hometown show in Birmingham.
Their story is a long one dating back more than a decade and they’ve shared the squared circle on many occasions in multiple promotions but never Progress…
How will Spud fare in his big return against such a difficult opponent? Join us at the Bournemouth show to find out!
Spud will also be wrestling on PROGRESS’ September 13 show at the Birmingham O2 Academy, though his opponent for that one has yet to be confirmed.
If you discount the 24/7 Championship, Spud’s last match was against Ridge Holland on the September 2021 episode of WWE NXT.
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