WWE Draft 2023: Update on surprise appearances and NXT call-ups

Ringside News previously gave updates about the upcoming Draft and the notion of sending current Raw/Smackdown Superstars back to NXT. Per the source, no main roster talents were likely to be swapped onto the developmental brand.

However, things are completely opposite the other way around with Paul “Triple H” Levesque in charge of creative things. Unlike Vince McMahon, The Game is pretty much determined to make some fresh imports into the main roster.

Going by Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez via his paid Twitter service, it seems like originally some of the NXT wrestlers were going to make their main roster debut on the Raw after WrestleMania 39 but it was pushed back due to the WWE Draft.

One of the much-discussed names in this aspect is Cameron Grimes, who was on the verge of jumping ship to the main roster soon after WrestleMania but he will have to wait a few more days before finally getting the call.

Cameron Grimes has long been finished with the NXT brand, months ago and he’s been kept on waiting for the right creative situation for a comeback. Only time will tell how much more time, he will have to spend before showing up on TV.

Apart from Grimes, names like Bron Breakker, Elektra Lopez, Nikkita Lyons, or former NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez are also highly speculated to make their way to either Raw or Smackdown ensuring more fresh talents onboard.

Xero News added by informing that, “Tyler Bate, Pretty Deadly, Cameron Grimes, Bron Breakker, Ilja Dragunov are all potential names who could be called up for the men” during the upcoming Draft 2023 session.

It was also noted that “Indi Hartwell was originally planned for a main roster debut” but since she’s the current NXT Women’s Champion after winning a Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver, that plan has been postponed.

Current NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes has faced a similar situation after winning the gold at Stand & Deliver. On the flip side, former NXT UK Champions Tyler Bate impressed WWE higher-ups with his match against Dolph Ziggler on Main Event to be in the Draft conversation.

The 2023 WWE Draft begins next Friday, April 28 on Friday Night Smackdown from the American Bank Center, Corpus, Christi, Texas and it runs through next Monday Night on Raw’s May 1 episode from the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.