A new WWE NXT star once appeared alongside CM Punk in a SmackDown segment before his official debut.
Mason Rook, known in the British independent scenes as Will Kroos, made his WWE NXT debut on April 28 and signed his official contract on last night’s episode. However, he had already made an appearance for WWE last year alongside former World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk.
Mason Rook’s appearance took place on the March 28, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown, which took place at The O2 in London. He was part of the security team that accompanied CM Punk for the contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins for their WrestleMania 41 match.
Rook will make his official WWE in-ring debut next week on NXT, teaming with Kam Hendrix to take on NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo and North American Champion Myles Borne in a tag team match.
Mason Rook got a major endorsement from John Cena after NXT debut
Mason Rook made his NXT debut on the April 28 episode alongside former IWGP World Champion EVIL. After the latter confronted NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo and after Tavion Heights laid him out, Rook came out and hit D’Angelo with a moonsault.
Following his debut, he received a major endorsement from 17-time WWE Champion John Cena, who took to X/Twitter to post a chant closely associated with him from his UK independent run: “HE’S BIG…. HE’S BAD…. HE’LL BODYSLAM YOUR DAD!!!”
Cena recently announced the “John Cena Classic,” a new annual tournament designed to give developmental stars opportunities against main roster talent. It will be interesting to see if NXT’s Mason Rook will be a part of the tournament when it takes place down the line.
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