Two Former NXT Champions Return To The Brand
On a monumental night...
You knew that on the night of AEW Dynamite's premiere that NXT on USA Network was going to counter as strongly as possible. In addition to hosting three title bouts on the October 2 episode of the program, two former brand champions came back to NXT, one from injury, and one from the main roster.
Finn Balor made a rather surprising return to NXT, following Adam Cole's retention of the NXT title over Matt Riddle. He confronted the champion and declared, "As of now, Finn Balor is NXT."
Balor previously wrestled on the brand between 2014 and 2016, holding the championship for over nine months in that time.
Balor wasn't the only former champion to confront Cole. Tommaso Ciampa made his return after a seven month absence, going face to face with Cole on the entrance stage while also eyeing the championship belt.
Ciampa was forced to vacate the NXT title this past March, after he required neck surgery. His sidelining necessitated canceling his scheduled title match against partner-turned-enemy Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: New York in April.
Finn Balor made a rather surprising return to NXT, following Adam Cole's retention of the NXT title over Matt Riddle. He confronted the champion and declared, "As of now, Finn Balor is NXT."
Balor previously wrestled on the brand between 2014 and 2016, holding the championship for over nine months in that time.
Balor wasn't the only former champion to confront Cole. Tommaso Ciampa made his return after a seven month absence, going face to face with Cole on the entrance stage while also eyeing the championship belt.
Ciampa was forced to vacate the NXT title this past March, after he required neck surgery. His sidelining necessitated canceling his scheduled title match against partner-turned-enemy Johnny Gargano at NXT TakeOver: New York in April.
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.
