NXT talent who worked WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event have reportedly impressed higher-ups.
John Cena’s retirement show on December 13 featured several “exhibition matches” between NXT stars and main roster veterans. Cena reportedly pushed to include talent from WWE’s developmental brand on the card.
The opening match at Saturday Night’s Main Event saw NXT Champion Oba Femi collide with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Drew McIntyre interfered in the closing moments, resulting in a no-contest finish that fans were not happy about.
Elsewhere on the card, former WWE NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca squared off against Bayley. Sol was accompanied to the ring by ZARIA, while Lyra Valkyria appeared in Bayley’s corner. Former TNA World Champion Joe Hendry also competed in an “impromptu” match.
NXT’s Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater teamed up to face WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in a non-title bout.
Internal reaction to NXT talent at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
Speaking on a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio (via f4wonline.com), Dave Meltzer noted that the backstage reaction to the NXT talent at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event was positive.
“I know that people there were very impressed with the four that wrestled. Joe Hendry, everyone knows,” Meltzer said. “He’s a guy that’s going to go out there and get a great crowd reaction and that’s a big part of their business.
“But they see Oba Femi as a superstar, they see Sol Ruca as a superstar, and they see Evans and Leon Slater as superstars. They may botch it, something may happen, but it’s not like they aren’t seeing it. It was right in front of them, plus they got over with the crowd in D.C., which is a big thing.”
Read More: John Cena Teases Why He Smiled While Tapping Out In Final Match
