Robert Stone shared that it was Samoa Joe who initiated his entry into WWE NXT after Stone ended his time with TNA Wrestling. After being with TNA since 2010, Stone signed with WWE and joined the Performance Center in March 2019, with Samoa Joe’s quick response proving pivotal in setting up Stone’s tryout.
The Immediate Connection After Leaving TNA
Stone explained that as soon as he announced on Twitter that he was no longer with TNA Wrestling, Samoa Joe reached out to him without delay. Joe’s message asked if Stone was interested in joining WWE NXT, which Stone enthusiastically accepted. According to Stone, Joe then likely communicated with William Regal, who was overseeing talent tryouts at the time.
I let my contract run out. I think I announced on Twitter saying, I’m no longer with TNA wrestling. Immediately, and I mean, within minutes, I get a text from Samoa Joe, our good friend from TNA Wrestling, who saw the news, said, do I have interest in coming to WWE NXT?
?Robert Stone, WWE NXT Personality
I told him, absolutely. I guess he put some feelers out maybe to William Regal, who at the time was helping get talent tryouts.
?Robert Stone, WWE NXT Personality
Transitioning Into a Manager Role at WWE NXT
Following the tryout, Stone waited several months to hear back before WWE decided to offer him a contract. While initially unaware of WWE’s interest in having him work as a manager, Stone suspected it after learning that Stokely Hathaway was also being hired for a similar role. During his first week at WWE, he was directly asked if he wanted to pursue managerial duties.
I knew that they also hired Stokely Hathaway. So when I heard that and he was coming in with me, I said, maybe they’re into managers now and that’s what they want me to be because of him. So no one told me, but I had the thought, and then my first week there, they said, do you have any interest in being a manager?
?Robert Stone, WWE NXT Personality
Advice for Aspiring Wrestlers Based on Patience and Persistence
In a later part of the interview, Stone offered guidance to wrestlers aiming to secure their own opportunities. Reflecting on his two years as Ava’s assistant, he expressed that despite possible frustrations about reduced screen time, he remained patient, confident in his abilities, and hopeful for future chances to shine.
The past two years, I could have been complaining, I want more TV time, I want to be doing this, I could be doing more, but I didn’t. I just said, I know what I bring to the table. I know that everyone that sees me work knows that I’m talented at what I do and my time will come, my opportunity will come.
?Robert Stone, WWE NXT Personality
The Impact of Robert Stone’s Journey and What Lies Ahead
Robert Stone’s path into WWE NXT highlights the importance of connections within the wrestling community, as well as the value of patience and adaptability when roles evolve unexpectedly. Samoa Joe’s timely outreach was crucial for Stone’s career transition, while Stone’s readiness to embrace a managerial position demonstrates flexibility essential to success in wrestling. Moving forward, Stone’s persistence and talent suggest he may soon receive more prominent opportunities on WWE programming.
