In case you missed it, it was reported after this past Saturday’s NXT Takeover show that a large number of main roster call ups are to be expected very soon. Among the rumored call up names include Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, No Way Jose, The Authors of Pain, and Hideo Itami. The Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer also claims that Bobby Roode will be joining Smackdown soon, and he is expected to be pushed as a top heel immediately. Meltzer appeared on Live Audio Wrestling and said that Adam Cole coming out to attack Drew McIntyre at the end of Takeover was done to take the focus off of Roode. The plan is for Roode to makeup for Jinder Mahal and Baron Corbin’s disappointing runs as the top heels. It is unclear when exactly he will be debuting, but expect him to appear on Smackdown very soon.
It was also reported not too long ago that former WWE Superstar Shelton Benjamin was re-signed by the company. After being released from the WWE several years ago, vignettes teasing his resurgence aired on Smackdown last year. Unfortunately, he received and injury and never actually signed with WWE. He is now going to be rejoining WWE very soon. Cageside Seats now says that the plan is for him to join the Smackdown roster as a surprise. If he does not reappear on this Tuesday’s show, then he may be part of the next Superstar Shakeup which the Wrestling Observer still claims will be happening very soon now that SummerSlam is over.
Drew McIntyre let it slip in an interview with Sean Waltman a few weeks back that EVOLVE’s Gabe Sapolsky is working creatively in NXT now. Triple H commented on this during a recent media call by just vaguely stating that he brings him in to help create opportunities. In a new WWN Alerts email, Sapolsky thanked Triple H and WWE for being so kind to him lately. He also said that he is not trying out for a role in NXT and he is only working there to help NXT talents grow. Sapolsky said, “There is no talk of a writer’s job at NXT. I am not there for a tryout as has been rumored. I’m there because we all want to have the best tools and ideas possible to lead pro wrestling into the future. NXT is an opportunity for me to improve my skills, and then spread that knowledge to everyone in WWN, whether it is directly to our locker room, to those who participate in the Seminar/Tryout or anyone who joins our office staff with the New Promoter Initiative.” It seems as though he will continue working alongside NXT talents, but he is set to remain booking for EVOLVE for the foreseeable future.