The 2023 WWE draft is now in the history books – and have revitalised the rosters of Monday Night RAW and Smackdown Live in the process.
Changes will take into effect following this weekends PPV in Puerto Rico, Backlash 2023. However, while RAW & Smackdown are looking great – the roster of NXT was hit hard, losing many key names – and NXT commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T doesn’t know how to feel.
Booker T Has Bittersweet Feelings Following The 2023 WWE Draft
On the latest edition of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T would discuss the WWE Draft – and how it effects NXT. While he knows they’re moving on to bigger and better things, it’s hard to see some of his favorites leave. Booker had the following to say about one favorite in JD McDonaugh, who is joining the Monday Night RAW roster.
“NXT got hit hard, and some of my favorites left, and they’re moving on to bigger and better things, which, congratulations. I’m glad to see them move on to the next level because a guy like JD McDonagh, I didn’t know JD McDonagh had put that much time into the business. I really didn’t know. But just listening to him talk earlier today, and I said think he said 21 years that he’s put in this business, and he said around 16 years, he didn’t think he was gonna get a shot, but he just kept pushing and kept pushing, and boom. Now, NXT has led him now to the main roster. I appreciate that.”
In general, Booker T sees this as bittersweet for NXT – having the following to say.
‘I’m so glad to see these guys put that work in and get a shot. I’m excited but then again it’s kind of bittersweet because I was so in-tune to having guys like Pretty Deadly, and JD McDonagh on the roster because they made me feel alive when they came out and did work.”
The WWE NXT Roster Remains Stacked With Talent
Key names that will remain in WWE NXT are NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, Bron Breakker, NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus, Dragon Lee, Tyler Bate, Ilja Dragunov & Dijak.
In the women’s division, Tiffany Stratton, Roxanne Perez, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne will be in the spotlight going forward.
Add in a constant flow of new talent from the WWE Performance Center, and NXT will be fine. The women’s division was hit the hardest, losing Indi Hartwell, Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre – with Hartwell, Dawn & Fyre being reigning champions in NXT.
The main roster was in need of fresh female faces, and women’s wrestlers in NXT tend to develop into stars much faster than the men.
Will you still be watching WWE NXT following the 2023 Draft? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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