Three NXT Talents Work Dark Matches Before WWE SmackDown
Some possible call-ups on the horizon?
Three performers from NXT 2.0 worked dark matches during Friday night's SmackDown tapings in Wilkes-Barre, PA, one of whom seems like a realistic call-up in the near future, given a recent title change.
In that dark match, recent NXT Women's champion Raquel Gonzalez competed, defeating Toni Storm.
Gonzalez had held the NXT Women's title for just over 200 days, having defeated Io Shirai at TakeOver: Stand and Deliver in April. She lost the title at Tuesday's Halloween Havoc special to Mandy Rose in a "Trick or Street Fight".
Gonzalez has been with WWE for five years. Following sporadic appearances on NXT television over those first few years, Gonzalez became a featured regular on TV in April 2020.
Also in dark match action, Brutus and Julius Creed competed before the SmackDown broadcast, losing a match to The Viking Raiders.
The brothers began wrestling on NXT in August, and have been a part of the Diamond Mine stable. The Ohio-based brothers are legitimate amateur wrestling standouts, with Brutus attending Otterbein University, and Julius winning the ACC heavyweight title while at Duke University.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
