Tony D’Angelo is not expected to leave WWE NXT at this time, despite speculation regarding a possible main roster call-up after losing the NXT Championship.
He dropped the title to Grayson Waller at Heatwave on August 30, held at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas. Waller won a Fatal 4-Way Match that also featured Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, main roster sources noted that his name has not surfaced in discussions regarding a call-up:
“And in checking in with some main roster sources, we’re told Tony D’Angelo’s name has not been discussed as a potential call up to their knowledge. So for the time being, the expectation is that Tony D remains in Orlando.”
The report also detailed that WWE’s decision to position Waller as the top male star on NXT does not reflect any dissatisfaction with D’Angelo’s work:
“Additionally, on the flip side, while the decision has been made to make Waller the, quote, current face of the show, we’re told that’s not an indictment of Tony D’Angelo whatsoever.”
The former champion has already re-entered the title picture. On Tuesday’s episode of NXT, two days after Heatwave, he was among the group that confronted Waller during the closing segment.
D’Angelo’s 148-day reign with the NXT Championship began at Stand & Deliver on April 4, when he defeated Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page in a Fatal 4-Way Match.
Until new creative plans take shape, the expectation remains that D’Angelo will stay in NXT.