WWE NXT serves as a crucial platform for budding wrestlers and newcomers adapting to WWE’s style, providing fans with an early look at future stars destined for Raw or SmackDown. While many established main roster wrestlers honed their craft in NXT, others such as Toni Storm, Keith Lee, and Blair Davenport have struggled to translate their success beyond the brand. Some, like Kassius Ohno, Velveteen Dream, and James Storm, never made the jump to WWE’s flagship shows. The anticipation surrounding NXT’s Heatwave event sparks debate about which performers are rising and which are fading within this competitive environment.
Je’Von Evans: The Week’s Breakout Athlete
Je’Von Evans stands out as this week’s top rising star after securing a number one contender’s victory against Trick Williams. Renowned for his exceptional agility and responsiveness in the ring, Evans delivers a dynamic, high-risk style unusual for his lightweight frame, billed at 170 pounds. His capacity for self-generated offense, akin to legends like Mr. Perfect or Shawn Michaels, sets him apart. Fans witnessed his daring leap from a shove off the top rope through the announce desk, a fall worthy of Mick Foley’s legendary toughness, yet Evans sustained no visible injury and completed the match.
Though his in-ring athleticism impresses, Evans’s mic skills remain underdeveloped, making a title win at this stage unlikely. At just 21 years old and with only 16 months at NXT, he has time to improve his promos. The combination of his ring prowess and youthful potential places him on a promising trajectory toward Raw or SmackDown.
Trick Williams: A Versatile Competitor Ready for the Spotlight
Trick Williams, the runner-up for this week’s spotlight, has proven himself both a skilled wrestler and an effective speaker. Originally introduced as Carmelo Hayes’s hype man, Williams evolved into a leading figure, earning the NXT North American Championship and twice securing the NXT Championship. Notably, he made history as the first WWE-contracted wrestler to hold the TNA World Championship.
His NXT title reign energized the fanbase but was disrupted by a heel turn, which conflicted with his broad popularity and led to mixed reactions during his villainous run. Williams’s comprehensive abilities make him an asset to WWE’s main roster, especially as the promotion seeks to strengthen its diversity in major storylines. With focused creative guidance, his ceiling within WWE is extremely high.
Blake Monroe: A Rising Force in the Women’s Division
In third place among noted rising stars is Blake Monroe, formerly known as Mariah May, who convincingly embodies a “mean girl” persona with ease. Her performances, especially against Jordynne Grace, highlight her skill at provoking audience disdain through malicious and cowardly behavior. While her technical wrestling remains functional rather than exceptional, Monroe’s upcoming match against Grace at Heatwave represents a pivotal opportunity.
If Monroe can deliver a compelling performance worthy of a premium live event, she stands to solidify her status as the fastest rising woman in NXT and potentially secure a future women’s championship reign.
Joe Hendry’s Declining Momentum in NXT
Once a standout independent wrestler with significant fan buzz, Joe Hendry’s momentum has waned over the past months. Known for his catchy entrance and charismatic appeal, Hendry once commanded some of the loudest crowd reactions in NXT, with fans frequently chanting “I believe.” However, setbacks like a failed NXT title challenge against Ethan Page, a swift loss to Randy Orton at WrestleMania, and dropping the TNA title to Trick Williams dented his rising trajectory.
Though Hendry recently secured victories over midcard wrestlers like Wes Lee and Charlie Dempsey, these wins did little to reignite enthusiasm. His comedic skits, which portray him as a figure popping out from hiding places, have shifted his image away from main event viability toward lighter entertainment. Without a WWE contract and with his TNA deal expiring only at year’s end, Hendry faces an uncertain future, caught in storyline limbo that diminishes his current relevance.
Tyra Mae Steele’s Early Struggles and Potential
Tyra Mae Steele, the first female Olympic gold medalist to join WWE, arrives with a strong authentic athletic background but has yet to captivate WWE audiences fully. Her entry into WWE follows distinct paths taken by previous Olympic gold medalists: Kurt Angle, who triumphed, and Gable Stevneson, who disappointed and was released after a single televised match. Steele’s initial appearances show promise but also reveal challenges, particularly during a recent segment in which she appeared uncomfortable and disconnected from the crowd.
Competing alongside fellow Olympian Tavion Heights against Canadian opponents Chelsea Green and Ethan Page, Steele’s overacting and lack of engagement caused the predominantly Philadelphia crowd to favor the opposition. Her first major WWE match, a mixed tag team bout at Heatwave, will be a critical moment to prove her value. Success in this high-profile setting could boost fan support and set her on a path toward a solid in-ring career, but she will need to demonstrate composure and effectiveness under pressure.
The Broader Picture: NXT as a Talent Testing Ground
The dynamic within WWE NXT continually shifts as promising newcomers rise and established veterans struggle to maintain relevance. Stars like Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams showcase the brand’s ability to cultivate future main roster headliners, while others face stagnation caused by contract issues or creative missteps. The upcoming Heatwave event provides a barometer for these athletes’ potential trajectories, allowing fans and industry insiders alike to assess who is poised for prominence and who might fade away.
For WWE, the challenge lies in effectively nurturing these rising stars while managing veteran transitions, ensuring a compelling product for wrestling audiences nationwide. Observers will be watching closely to see which performers seize their moment and set the stage for WWE’s next era.
