Tatum Paxley may have fueled WWE main roster speculation last week, but her actions on the June 16 episode of NXT suggest she isn’t ready to leave the black-and-gold brand just yet.
After many fans interpreted her post-match behavior following a championship loss as a farewell, Paxley made sure she remained part of the conversation one week later.
The former NXT Women’s North American Champion became a key factor during this week’s episode, offering a strong indication that unfinished business still awaits her in NXT.
Tatum Paxley targets Zaria after NXT Women’s title loss
Speculation surrounding Paxley’s future intensified after the June 9 edition of NXT. She lost the NXT Women’s North American Championship to Zaria after a hard-fought rivalry that culminated with Zaria scoring the decisive victory.
Following the match, Paxley stayed ringside and shared emotional moments with fans in attendance. She hugged supporters and appeared to say her goodbyes, leading many to wonder if a move to Raw or SmackDown was imminent.
However, this week’s NXT told a different story.
During a tag team match featuring Zaria and Kelani Jordan against Lola Vice and Kendal Grey, Paxley suddenly appeared at ringside. The distraction proved costly for Zaria, who lost focus at a critical moment. Vice capitalized with a crescent kick before pinning Zaria to secure the victory for her team.
Paxley wasn’t finished there. After the match, she continued to make her presence felt, laughing from ringside before launching herself at Zaria with a crossbody. The two immediately brawled, reigniting tensions that many assumed had ended after last week’s title match.
The development effectively pours cold water on the call-up rumors, at least for now. While WWE has not officially commented on Paxley’s future, her renewed focus on Zaria suggests there is still plenty left to settle in NXT.
For a superstar many believed was waving goodbye, Paxley instead sent a different message this week — she’s not ready to close the chapter just yet.
