NXT: Austin Theory Returns, Barrett Returning Next Week, New Tag Champs

Austin Theory Returns

Austin Theory returned to WWE TV tonight on NXT for the first time in over two months.

Theory interrupted a backstage interview with Bronson Reed and sarcastically congratulated him on his match at TakeOver. He said that he made it to WrestleMania at age 22 and maybe Reed will finally become a champion at age 55. Reed slapped him and walked away and Theory smiled.

In an interview with the Sporting News earlier this week, Seth Rollins said that Theory “had some personal issues that came up so he took some time off to sort through them for the past month or two. It’s hard right now but we hope everything’s good for him so we hope to have him back sooner than later.”

Dave Meltzer said that Theory was in an “unannounced suspension of sorts” because of an allegation of impropriety against him in June.


Wade Barrett Returning Next Week

Wade Barrett was on commentary on tonight’s NXT episode alongside Vic Joseph and Beth Phoenix.

During the broadcast, Barrett said that he was having so much fun that he’s coming back next week.

Mauro Ranallo didn’t do commentary tonight or at TakeOver on Saturday because of a family situation in Canada.

Next week’s NXT episode was/is being taped this week, so it makes sense that Barrett will be on commentary again.

Next week’s episode will air on Tuesday because of an NHL playoff game on USA on Wednesday night.


New NXT Tag Team Champs

Breezango defeated Imperium tonight to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.

These are the first WWE or NXT championships that Tyler Breeze or Fandango have held in their WWE/NXT careers.