CB’s Slant: This Is Awesome! NXT Spoilers Include Two Surprise WWE Returns and One Interesting Transition

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With NXT: Rival firmly in the books, the flagship WWE Network brand was back at Full Sail for 4 weeks worth of tapings. Some spoilers are below, including two surprise returns and one in-house transition that I think will be awesome.

Over the next few weeks, the NXT brand will be home to the surprise WWE returns of Rhyno and THE Brian Kendrick. Rhyno will be in a match against Elias Samson, while Kendrick will work against Finn Balor. Both are said to have received great reactions, and I love that NXT is becoming the hottest place to be right now and that surprises like this can happen and be well-received when they would largely be ignored on Raw and SmackDown.

However, one other transition will be unfolding over the next few weeks that I think will be awesome. Former Miz protege and NXT announcer/Raw preshow host Alex Riley will be moving away from the broadcast booth and back to the ring. Riley is going to be given the chance to wrestle again at his request, and he will be in a mini-program with NXT Champion Kevin Owens that stems from Owens attacking the commentary team. Riley won his return match against CJ Parker at the NXT tapings, and Owens came out afterwards vowing to end Riley’s career before Owens takes out Finn Balor.

Riley was said to get a huge pop from the NXT crowd and worked a solid match with Parker, which makes for another fun NXT moment that just couldn’t happen on Raw or SmackDown with the same effect.

I’m not saying that Rhyno, Kendrick and Riley will be world-beaters on the main WWE stage. However, I feel like NXT just got a little more awesome and I’m interested in seeing where Riley does go from here after feuding with Owens.

That’s all from me — CB.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.